Into the Gloaming
Rating: T+
Summary: In the growing darkness Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn have to deal with a political assassination.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to The Winding Path
Timeline: 38 BBY
Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics
Chapter One
If Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi thought that revealing that the Force bond that he inadvertently created with Eira Pedar would make things easier, he was wrong. If anything, things were worse. He was pretty sure that Qui-Gon made sure that his days were so busy that he didn't have time to even think about reaching out to Eira, though he wanted to. By the end of each day, he was too exhausted to do anything but go do bed.
Today, though, he stood in the center of one of the smaller dojos. They still used these particular rooms now more out of habit than anything else. As soon as Obi-Wan had begun to reach out to the Force on a regular basis the training sessions began to implement his extra senses. The katas were now more for warm-up than lesson building. Then there were the Ataru, or Form IV lessons. That style of blade-work was popular among most of the current knights. The older ones, ones that were mostly retired from the field focused more on Makashi form. That particular style took a long time to master, maybe this was why most focused on the flashier forms since they weren't as precise.
Finishing the last of the advanced katas, Obi-Wan paused then turned his attention to Qui-Gon. "What are we working on today, Master?" He rubbed his forehead with one of his sleeves, making sure that his sweat didn't drip into his eyes.
"Ataru. It's been too long since you've done any work with it."
Nodding, Obi-Wan moved into the opening stance with his lightsaber to the side and pointing to the ceiling. He felt a poke from Eira's side of the bond, and he jumped. It was the first time she had ever done it and caught him completely off guard. Eira, not now. Qui-Gon's blade came down and he barely had time to block it. At least he had his in training mode or it would not have turned out as well as it did.
"Padawan." Qui-Gon took a step back and lowered his lightsaber.
"Sorry, Master." Eira poked it again. The only thing he could think of is that she was either bored, or realized that she was learning how to do different things with the link.
"This is why it should have been unraveled." Qui-Gon tightened his grip on his lightsaber. "Now that it's permanent, you need to learn how to block it."
"How? I've never dealt with this before."
Qui-Gon pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then you need to learn Padawan," he repeated.
This time Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused on building a wall between Eira's pokes and his own mind. It would only be temporary, that was until he could figure out how to keep from being distracted. Eventually her presence dulled until it was barely a glimmer of what it once was. When he opened his eyes again Qui-Gon was watching him with one eyebrow raised.
"Now Padawan, we shall begin again." Qui-Gon took a step forward and brought his lightsaber up as he activated the weapon once again. It was a beginner Ataru kata that could be practiced by two people at the same time. It was also something Obi-Wan hadn't done in a long time, so his moves were more sloppy than anything else. Soon though, he had improved enough that Qui-Gon began picking up his speed. Obi-Wan's movements were soon smooth, it was at the point where even though he knew what would happen, he needed the Force so he could see how Qui-Gon would strike.
For a moment Obi-Wan's mind wandered, which broke his concentration. Qui-Gon's blade came down on the back of his hand forcing him to drop his lightsaber. "Sorry," he mumbled as he called his lightsaber back to his hand. "This time my mind wandered."
Qui-Gon gave him a critical look as he took a step back. "You need to keep your focus on the here and now. Your opponent will appreciate you more if you let your mind wander."
"I know."
"Now, we will work on the second Ataru kata." Qui-Gon came towards him once again with his lightsaber in the opening stance. The movements this time were slightly different, enough to force Obi-Wan to focus once again on each position. This time his mind didn't wander, but he was tiring out. Only when his movements became sloppy did Qui-Gon pull away and lowered his blade. At first Obi-Wan wasn't sure of Qui-Gon's next move, so he remained at the ready, though with his own lightsaber lowered.
"The second kata was better than the first." Qui-Gon gave him a single nod then moved over to the edge of the dojo. "Get cleaned up, then we can go get something to eat."
"Yes, master." Obi-Wan bowed his head and left the smaller room for the showers, and the bacta patches. The back of his hand still stung from where Qui-Gon's blade touched it.
By the time he got back to their apartment Qui-Gon was not there. It wasn't that unusual, but enough to make Obi-Wan wonder if he had been called before the council to be sent out on another mission. At least he hoped it was that simple. He felt his anxiety spike when he thought about Eira and their bond.
"Don't focus on your anxieties, Padawan," Qui-Gon's voice came from the doorway.
Obi-Wan had been so focused on it that he never even sensed his master's approach. He whirled around while cringing. "Sorry, master." He paused, "I thought…."
"You thought what?" Qui-Gon moved deeper into the common room before going into his sleeping chamber to deposit his cloak somewhere within the space. He reemerged while pushing the sleeves of his cloak up while moving into the kitchen.
"Nothing," Obi-Wan shook his head.
Turning back around to face Obi-Wan he placed a hand on the counter. "The council believes you're ready to go out into the field once again."
"Really?" this had been a long time coming for Obi-Wan. "So where will we be going?"
"Not too far, but it is considered being out in the field. Now," Qui-Gon turned back to the counter and pulled out the items for tea.
"Is it official?"
"If you mean that I stood before the council? No. That will happen in the morning."
The next morning Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon into the center of the High Council chambers. The sun was just appearing over the horizon casting its reddish glow across the metal landscape. The taller buildings were silhouetted from the sun's rays, giving them an interesting appearance. Even at this early an hour, all the chairs were occupied.
"Master Qui-Gon, prompt you are," Yoda gave them a sleepy nod. He cast his gaze over to Obi-Wan before turning to look back at the other council members.
Obi-Wan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that comment. Maybe this was important, or at least important enough to either get off planet or have something to do. He had to admit it was getting rather tedious training and then his lessons every day.
"There will be a political gathering headed up by the Vice Chancellor tomorrow evening. We will have both you and Padawan Kenobi as part of the Jedi contingency," Mace sat back in his chair as he explained what they were to do.
The excitement that Obi-Wan felt about doing something different drained away. He hated, no hate was too strong of a word…disliked politicians. He'd do anything other than having to mingle with them. A quick glance to the side and he saw Qui-Gon grimace. They were definitely of like mind about this.
"You don't have to like it, you just have to go and make sure that everyone plays nice. And you wont be the only Jedi there."
Qui-Gon slipped his hands into his opposing sleeves of his cloak, "Who will be there, besides the Vice Chancellor?"
Mace frowned, "The Vice Chancellor's office has not been that forthcoming. As soon as we find anything it will be forwarded to you." He paused, "And the time and place will also be forwarded to your personal computers as soon as you reach your quarters."
"Hopefully before it's time to go," Qui-Gon muttered as he bowed his head and turned and headed out of the chambers. The sudden movement made Obi-Wan jump then after his own quick bow he followed the older man out of the room.
As soon as they were alone in the lift Qui-Gon turned his attention back to Obi-Wan, "I knew it would be on planet, but not with politicians. I fear that my dislike of politicians has rubbed off on you, Padawan."
"Master, that is something I don't mind at all."
/Even if Eira is counted among them?/
Obi-Wan's mild look turned into a semi-scowl. That was something he didn't want to be reminded of. He turned his attention back to the barrier he had set up earlier. It was still there. With care he slowly thinned it out, not sure if her presence would flood into his mind or not. He still missed her greatly, but there were so many things he had to do. He also knew that his master was the main reason he hadn't been able to see her. It was two months since they last saw her, felt her. He almost felt embarrassed that he didn't even send any messages through their bond. The longer he waited, the worse he felt. I wonder if she'll be there?
"Padawan, did you hear me?"
The voice was a surprise and Obi-Wan found himself in the common room of their apartment. How? He turned back to Qui-Gon who was giving him a half curious, half worried look
"Sorry Master, just thinking." He pulled off his cloak. Draping it over his arm he went into his personal room where he could put it up for the time being, then came back out. "Do you know who will be there?"
Qui-Gon was sitting at the workstation that Obi-Wan used for his lessons, "Not yet. It will be tomorrow evening at the 7th hour past midday and in the of the Opera House. After the meet and greet most will be attending the opera."
"That's not exactly the best place to host such an event. I would think it would be somewhere in the Federal District."
"It was the Vice Chancellor's choice, plus I suspect he is a fan of opera."
Being a Jedi Obi-Wan didn't have that much extra time to get involved in more of the cultural aspects of Coruscant. When he was younger and had the time he would go and see holomovies with his friends. Now? There just wasn't any extra time. Then again it could be because he was trying to catch up with his age-mates. At least that's about completed. Hopefully things would ease up now, though he doubted it.
TBC...
my goal is to upload one chapter a week, though I'm not sure if that'll be entirely possible, but I will try my best.
Do or do not do, there is no try, as Yoda always states. :)
