Ashira Arkanma stared at the magnificent Jedi Temple. She was nervous and yet excited beyond measure by having one opportunity out of thousands "impossible"; she had got the possibility of doing what she had dreamed of for so long. She just couldn't believe her luck. She was a psychology student and after years of hard work, there was just her thesis between her and graduation.
Smiling, Ashira started to walk upstairs. Few days ago, she had made a call to the Temple, requesting an audience with the Jedi Council. She needed a place to do her field work and she was very interest to study how isolation affected the youngest Jedi. She made her request without believing for a moment that they would allow her to even talk to the Council. But then, after the councilors delivered it, she had been granted her biggest wish.
Ashira flushed remembering she hadn't known who Master Yoda was. Of course she had heard a lot about him but she had never seen him so, she had been perplexed when this tiny Jedi with eyes filled of wisdom and large ears had presented himself as Grand Master Yoda. He had said to her 'To learn you wish, learners we all are. Help you we will'.
Then, the dark skinned councilor next the green master had spoken to her. He was very serious and had this threatening tall figure. He said 'Do not take this lightly, though you will be able to do your research in here, you must follow some rules, such as not interfering with the normal day of the Jedi who are in the Temple. It is important for you to know that we are very protective of our younglings. It is in your best interest to not disturb them.'
Surprised by his words, she had agreed. A furry councilor had said to her that a Jedi would be assign to escort her. As it was such a large structure, he had said this master would help her to find her way through the Temple. Ashira wasn't sure if it was the real reason, but as she saw the imposing building, she couldn't help but feel grateful.
When she got to the top of the stairs, shamefully breathless, she saw a tall, strong, imposing figure of a Jedi. The man had crossed his arms over his broad chest and waited patiently for her to reach him. He had a calm expression in his blue eyes and his long chest nut hair moved at the wind's tune.
-Good morning- he said and bowed- I am Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The Council assigned me to guide you to the crèche.-
Oh, what a beautiful voice! The Jedi had a low, soothing voice. She was certain he was the one telling the bed time story to the Jedi children. She smiled and nodded, suddenly realizing she didn't know how to behave in a Jedi's presence.
-I'm Ashira Arkanma, Master Jinn. I'm pleased to meet you.-
They started to walk. Ashira wished she had ten more eyes. It was beautiful! It wasn't as ornamented as the Senate but it was more charming. The Master had explained to her that the building's distribution had a meaning to the Jedi, related to the way they lived, so it was easy for them to learn their way since they were pretty young. Also, he had said the statues honored the Jedi who were killed in duty as the ones who had left behind them a treasure of wisdom to the following generations. He said the ornamentation was made by themselves, as the statues were. Ashira couldn't believe it; everything was so very elegantly and delicately made!
Ashira also began to notice something in her interlocutor. Some… tiredness? As if something had prevented him from rest… Maybe he had just arrived from a mission, she thought but she couldn't tell nor could she ask. She decided to inquire a bit more about the Jedi customs.
-Master Jinn, how do you Jedi rule your lives exactly?-
The Jedi started to explain calmly.
-We obey the Force and we abide ourselves by the Code. We do not allow emotions to dictate our actions. We train ourselves to let go of that we are fond of. We also cherish knowledge, and by so we respect our elders greatly. - He suddenly stopped walking and focused his deep blue eyes on her. - The life of a Jedi is not an easy one. We see the worst of society and affront the most horrible things every day for the defenseless' sakes. As soon as we start training, our childhood ends. We start to comprehend why the Masters get so tired, why some become cranky, and why some live in sorrow. When we understand that, we begin to respect the aged ones and the Masters who are able to smile and joke become our heroes; the younglings our greatest therapy.-
As the tall Jedi began to walk again, Ashira followed speechless. She just hadn't expected some comment like that one. She was just shocked. As they continued walking, she noticed how other Jedi acknowledged Master Jinn. Such respect, so solemnly. Though it was impressive the respect they showed, she really hoped this wasn't the only way the Jedi interacted. It seemed just too cold to feel comfortable about it.
She was just thinking this when Master Jinn turned to see backwards.
-Is everything all right?- Ashira asked, turning slightly to see what he was looking at. The hallway looked normal enough, just Jedi walking by. Nothing out of the ordinary, though. Master Jinn inclined his head slightly to the right but he decided to 'let it pass'.
-My apologies. Let's continue, if you please. - The master said.
But just few steps later, he watched backwards over his shoulder and a second later he turned around in a blur. He caught then what he had felt. He had seen half body hiding behind a column.
-Young one, come here- Master Jinn commanded. A small figure came out of his hiding place.
One smiling little boy approached them. His Jedi attire was light beige, just few shades darker than white. He appeared to be a five year old and he was dwarfed by the massive presence of the older Jedi. His auburn hair accompanied the sparkling blue eyes and he had a tiny braid behind his right ear. Ashira was dismayed, where all the padawans this young?
-Why are you following us? - The master asked kindly. As the boy bowed, Ashira couldn't help but smile. He was just too cute. She had to refrain from squishing him at hearing him talk.
-I heard you and I felt something warm- the boy chuckled before continuing- It's ticklish.-
Master Jinn scold majestically and with an unfair elegance, in Ashira's opinion, he flexed his legs to be at the boy's height but something happened before he could speak.
Ashira watched intently as the blue and bluer eyes connected. Suddenly, they seemed to be in another dimension. The little boy had his mouth slightly opened, revealing tiny teeth, and the Master's gaze was stick to the boy's face. It just lasted a moment but then, the boy blinked.
-You need a hug! - The child said with energy and without further announcements, he threw his little arms around the big Jedi's neck.
Ashira observed the shock in the Master's face and how he, hesitantly, brought his huge hands to the little back and pressed the boy against his chest. The Master closed his eyes, breathing out shakily. The boy just tightened their embrace. As uncommon as it was, the boy was holding the master, as if the child had perceived the master had been deeply hurt and the only thing he could do was to hug him to make the hurt go away.
They remained like that a minute. For them, it seemed to last a whole century. Then, the Master kissed the boy's head and talked it the boy's ear.
-Let's take you back to your crèche master, little one. - The Master's voice was slightly broken. He silently cleaned his throat and Ashira knew the master had recovered his implacability.
Without breaking the embrace, Master Jinn rose with the boy in his arms.
-This is Ashira Arkanma, young one- the master said to the boy.
-It's nice to meet you. - The boy said formally to her from the master's arms. Ashira didn't know what happen but what she had seen had been the sweetest thing she had ever experienced. She now knew why she had thought there was something going on with the master, it had been some sorrow he had; one that was significantly diminished after his encounter with the little boy. Maybe something had happened in… in… in the Force?
-My pleasure, padawan. – Ashira said with a tearful smile. She was moved by the heart touching image they made. She then saw confused that the boy looked to the master as asking for advice. The older Jedi smiled kindly.
-He is still an initiate, ma'am. –Ashira's eyes widened. She had made some research before coming to the Temple but it seemed she had missed something.
-When I get my master, he'll put the first bead to my braid and then I'll be a padawan- the boy said happily. Ah, Ashira now noticed there weren't any beads in the braid.
-What if you get a female master?- Ashira asked lifting an eyebrow.
-No- the boy shook his head emphatically-My Master is a man. He is very tall; he makes an ant out of me! I'll have to run or I'll get lost.-
Master Jinn lifted an eyebrow out of surprise. Did this boy have a vision of some sorts? "What was it with these children that ran before walking?" he thought amusedly exasperated.
-Do you know his name, young one?- the boy shook his head again.
-No, it was dark. I couldn't see much. His lightsaber is green though and he laughed when he braided my hair again because I was moving too much. - The boy chuckled delightfully- It was ticklish too.-
The master was astonished. It seemed it was a very clear vision and the kid didn't even reached his hip.
-Which color do you think your first bead will be? - Ashira intervened fascinated. Her info said it depended on why the team came together to define the color of the first one.
-I don't know- the boy said with a cute scold and blinked sleepily few times- Master Yoda always says I have to be more patient, maybe that's my last one.-
Qui-Gon smiled at that. Everyone had a weak spot. His own was to let go and probably will always represent a problem to him. Certainly, it had been his own last bead.
-How long have you known this? - Qui-Gon said. The child rubbed his eyes before answering.
-The day we started to play with Master Yoda- he said. Qui-Gon couldn't believe it. Master Yoda always rounded the crèche but, for human, the first lesson was when they were three years old. The boy had known about his master for quite some time, Qui-Gon was sure though that he had understand what the vision meant more recently.
After that, the boy yawned and without given it much thought, he snuggled in Qui-Gon's big chest. The Master lifted his eyebrows once again but the young Jedi was already fast asleep.
Ashira smiled tenderly at the image. The boy was just too sweet for her. Also, it said much of the boy's confidence in the tall master. The child felt safe enough to trust the master to protect him during his sleep.
Talking quietly, they continued to walk toward the crèche. Ashira couldn't wait to start. Her investigation had turned to be very interesting indeed.