A/N Obi-Wan runs into trouble on an afternoon off in the temple
Mayhem in the Gardens…
Obi-Wan lay his head back against the gravelly surface which surrounded the extensive river situated in the room of a thousand fountains, the Jedi temple, home. Eyes closed in relaxation, the young Padawan lazily draped a soaking hand across his face, effectively blocking out the glaring intrusion that was the room's artificial sun. Laughter and the ambience of splashing filled the air, force alight with childish mischief.
Technically all students were forbidden from bathing in the rivers, however from time to time Obi-Wan was forcibly dragged down to the gardens by none over than his equally impish friends. It was not often that the Padawan's had free time in their busy schedule of rigorous training, studying and not to mention off world assignments. Obi-Wan cherished every second of relaxation and time to catch up with his friends, life as a Jedi Padawan meant they sometimes went months without seeing one another. He listened out for his accomplice's movements as the sounds of splashing ceased, he went rigid as treachery and cunning swirled perilously in the force surrounding his dripping wet form.
Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open and he abruptly leapt to his soaked feet just in time to receive a substantial wave of water directed at his scowling face. He spluttered and actually fell back onto his haunches at the force that was thrown behind the offending wave. Shrieking and giggling joy then proceeded to fill the air around them, which stifled slightly as Obi-Wan climbed shakily to his feet, furious.
"What was that for?!" Obi-Wan squeaked, his small frame shaking with the freezing cold and tunics dripping with half the river.
"Oh come on Obi, lighten up!" Garen Muln called out from his position in the center, treading water lazily with a huge smirk plastered on his face.
The likely culprit. Obi-Wan's gaze narrowed as he glared at his life long friend, he and Garen had grown up together ever since they first arrived at the temple. He had always driven Obi-Wan off the beaten path so to say, inspiring mischief in the young Padawan that usually ended up with both of them getting into trouble with their respective Master's. They had been dubbed with the title of the 'troublesome duo' by Obi-Wan's own Master Qui-Gon Jinn ever since the elder man had heard the first of many famous incidents involving the two and a certain bending of the rules.
His attention was drawn to his other adversary and suspect Bant Eerin, a Mon Calamari close friend of Obi-Wan's as she too sniggered in amusement over the image of a very wet and fuming Obi-Wan. His displeasure only seemed to make the duo laugh harder, hands clutching their chests over the exertion.
"I'll show them lighten up…" Obi-Wan muttered, feigning innocence and non aggressive intentions.
Obi-Wan grinned evily as the devilish thought crossed his mind, he proceeded to lift his arms up and started to lift a huge amount of the icy river water behind his two friends. Bant was far more intelligent than the duo and quickly retreated from the impending disaster, Obi-Wan let her go the target of his latest mischief was his dear friend Garen. Eye's twinkling Obi-Wan gleefully observed his friend gulp loudly, petrified eyes staring up at the colossal wave being held back by Obi-Wan. He had always been better at manipulating the force than his friend, it was time Obi-Wan capitalise on it.
"Now hang on a sec… mmppphhh…"
Whatever Garen Muln was about to say was lost underwater as the enormous body of water crashed against the Padawan with a resounding thud. Bant laughed hysterically, shortly followed by Obi-Wan at the scowling sight of their friend. Their sniggering continued as Garen mounted a defence and started to swim towards the edge where Obi-Wan was situated, Obi-Wan did not allow him to get far and sent another body of water crashing towards the seething boy. Obi-Wan had the high ground after all, the advantage.
"You stubborn gundark!" Garen yelled before aiming his next attack right at Obi-Wan's face.
A multitude of waves smashed into either Padawan, both thrown with such force that each of them were equally gasping for breath and pleading mercy before long. Obi-Wan had long since fallen back into the river, overcome by the sheer force of the endless assault.
"Truce?" Obi-Wan smirked, holding his arm out to the flailing from of Garen.
"You don't do anything by halves do you Obi?" His friend replied smiling and accepting the peace offering.
"Now you two are quite finished with drowning one another, perhaps we can swim again?" Bant piped up from her observational position on the side of the river, eyes gleaming with the longing to be back in the water once more.
"Sure Bant." Both boys grinned at the same time, inviting their friend back into the water.
It certainly had been a good afternoon Obi-Wan thought to himself, his mind wandered to his mentor and wondered how the Jedi Master had spent his free time.
Qui-Gon Jinn was enjoying a leisurely stroll along one of his favourite paths in the room of a thousand fountains, he had just completed some research and had proceeded to seek out his student's location. The force pushed him in this direction so that was exactly where Qui-Gon Jinn went. His thoughts were interrupted by the distant sound of splashing and shrieking of children.
Ah childhood… Qui-Gon thought back fondly on the simplicity of life at that age, so much wonder in the world so very much to learn… He proceeded to abolish all thoughts as he found himself nostalgic and returned to the present, continuing to head towards the disturbance up ahead.
"Come on guys surely you can stay a little longer?" The distant young voice of Obi-Wan echoed towards him.
"Sorry Obe's been out too long already!" Qui-Gon identified the speaker to be none other than Garen Muln, Obi-Wan's troublesome friend…
"I'll see you later Obi." A new voice added to the mix, a female and unless Qui-Gon was mistaken that voice belonged to Padawan Eerin. A friendship Qui-Gon was far more comfortable with, she was a sensible and usually good influence on his wayward apprentice.
Qui-Gon continued towards the presence of his Padawan, already expecting the boy to being breaking one rule or another if he had been hanging around with Padawan Muln. He finally came across the bend in the path which would lead to Obi-Wan's location, taking it he witnessed the other two Padawan's skipping away to the exit. That's when his gaze found his own apprentice.
Qui-Gon kept mental shields high, not wanting the boy to have knowledge of his presence here just yet, he sighed and shook his head in disbelief at his apprentice's situation. The boy was flat on his back floating in the middle of the river, acting far calmer than he had any right too considering bathing in these waters was forbidden. Of course the boy knew that, he had just thought himself cunning enough to evade capture and discipline. We'll see about that. Qui-Gon chuckled quietly to himself at the spectacle, a playful solution coming to mind.
Qui-Gon moved out of the cover of the foliage to approach the river's edge, hand raised slightly in preparation for his next move. With a flick of his wrist, a small body of water rose and crashed into his unprepared Padawan's face, causing the boy to lose all sense of balance and start to flail in the water. Qui-Gon smirked, Obi-Wan would have to be more mindful of his surroundings…
"What in the blazes…" Obi-Wan muttered, standing and turning to find the cause of his brief dowsing.
"Oh! Master" The boy shrieked and hurriedly bowed as he realised he had company, face blushing to a bright crimson.
"Padawan…" Qui-Gon growled, chuckling quietly at the image of the boy going white as a sheet, legs trembling looking as if they might give way at any moment.
"So this is where you've been all afternoon." Qui-Gon mused keeping a steady voice and straight face, striding closer to his wayward student indicating the serene room with his arms.
"Yes Master." The boy meekly replied, head hanging down in shame. Short learner's braid dangling in front of his face, dripping wet just like the rest of the boy.
"You do know it is against the rules to bathe in these pools." The elder Jedi continued, reaching the edge of the river where his student stood rigid and shivering.
Pleading blue eyes met his as the boy nodded in affirmation, begging for mercy. Qui-Gon was not a cruel man, however this opportunity was just too perfect to be missed.
"Hmm…" Qui-Gon's gaze narrowed gravely at the miserable boy.
"The question is what punishment is fitting for this misdemeanour." Qui-Gon drawled almost to himself, pacing slowly in front of the miscreant.
"The punishment must fit the crime."
He stopped abruptly directly in front of his troublesome Padawan, mirth glittering his eyes. This was rewarded with his student furrowing his brows, an extremely confused look adjourning his features seeking the motives of his Master. His student's face turned to one of alarm as the force around them was suddenly alight with mischief and danger.
"Master?…"
His student's protesting squeaks were mercilessly cut off as the first wave of mind-numbing water crashed against the already soaked Padawan, pulling him under the icy dredges of the river with the force. To his credit Obi-Wan reacted quickly and sought to evade the upcoming onslaught, the trouble was Qui-Gon had been manipulating the force long before Obi-Wan was ever born… The little scamp never stood a chance.
Wave after wave, attack after attack battered the young Jedi from all sides, effectively soaking the boy to the bone. Qui-Gon eased his onslaught for a few seconds to allow his student a breather, and to catch his feet. He sensed mischief brewing in the force so put a stop to any indiscretion before it could fully manifest into impudence, Obi-Wan was barraged with the full force of the river once again, fighting to escape the colossal waves but failing miserably.
After sufficient time had passed Qui-Gon ceased the assault, the splashing sounds that had been echoing in the room ceased to be replaced by the coughing and spluttering of a soaked and very irate Padawan.
"Lesson learned?" Qui-Gon queried the panting form of his student, spluttering up the dregs of the river still as he made his way towards the edge of the water and Qui-Gon's outstretched hand.
"Of course Master." The boy managed to cough out, treading water the last few meters before grabbing his mentor's arm thankfully.
"Never play fair…" His student grinned wickedly, mischief and rebellion sparkling his gaze.
Qui-Gon was on alert in seconds as the force screamed out a warning to him, too late. Before he could root himself more firmly on the pebbly ground, the Jedi Master found himself falling forwards into the river as the impudent little imp yanked on his outstretched hand of friendship.
The elder Jedi crashed with an almighty splash, quickly resurfaced and whirled immediately on the culprit. The boy in question was already scampering away as fast as he could swim, force warning him quite rightly of his Master's upcoming wrath.
"Brat!" He yelled at the fast retreating form of his apprentice.
In three quick strokes Qui-Gon caught up to the cunning rascal and had him in a head lock, dunking him when he tried to kick out to escape. Of course the boy was not going to come quietly, so once again the surrounding plants got a soaking as the two thrashed around in the river.
Qui-Gon chuckled dangerously as he held the struggling form of his apprentice tightly, delighting in the boy's antics. It had certainly been a while since Qui-Gon had laughed so much! He was also quite impressed with his student's attempts of hiding his true intentions, Qui-Gon had only caught on at the last moment, the cunning brat had disguised his ulterior motives very well indeed. He was learning.
Qui-Gon knew mercy when it was called for and released the valiantly struggling form of his Padawan, throwing his head back with laughter at the sight of him. Obi-Wan picked up on his Master's genuine joy and too started giggling water thrashing as he struggled to contain his mirth.
"Come we should go dry off before someone else catches us." Qui-Gon finally wheezed out, raising his eyebrows at the projected image of Master Yoda walking in on the pair appeared in his mind.
"Yes Master." Obi-Wan grinned wickedly, before starting to follow Qui-Gon's form towards the edge of the river where the two pulled themselves out. Exhausted and panting from the afternoon's antics.
Both Master and apprentice proceeded to their apartment, dripping wet and leaving a trail where they went. Both ignoring the incredulous looks of their fellow Jedi as they sauntered along the corridors large as life, they both picked up on a few stray thoughts along the way. 'Definitely Qui-Gon's apprentice alright…' 'Does he have to play the maverick at all times?'
The thoughts only caused the pair's good moods to elevate higher, a grin plastered to both of their faces. A good afternoon indeed…
A/N - I will be updating this every now and again when ideas pop into my head, next up is an epilogue of sorts to my previous short story Aggressive Negotiations