RISING CONFIDENCE

by ardavenport


"You are distracted, my Padawan," Qui-Gon said without opening his eyes.

"Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan breathed deeply, but otherwise did not move. He sat up straight, cross-legged on the cushioned mediation pedestal.

What was the lesson in this? he wondered. Or was Qui-Gon just showing off?

Obi-Wan had not been Qui-Gon's apprentice for very long and that had already been fairly tumultuous. He was finally feeling comfortable with his renewed bond with his Master. But now he felt less . . . secure. He knew this sort of demonstration happened sometimes. He just hadn't been expecting it.

He looked about the windowless, circular meditation chamber. It was one of several near their rooms in the Jedi Temple. Covered lighting units in the ceiling and high on the walls illuminated the room with a soft, shadowless half-light, perfect for contemplation. A curling pattern decorated the floor below in muted browns, tans and blues.

"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon, also cross-legged on a blue cushion on his own pedestal, spoke quietly, not critical or demanding, but still firm. "Focus."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He cleared his thoughts, quieting the random clutter of living. Through this stillness he perceived the Force, a glowing, luminous energy in the room and outside.

And mostly in that energy, he perceived Qui-Gon, a solid, dense and steady presence, bright with confidence that touched and lifted up everything in the room. Obi-Wan felt it all around him. And especially under him.

Without warning and with the swift confidence of a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon had changed this mediation to an active exercise, breaking Obi-Wan's initial concentration. But Obi-Wan's reaction - - and inarticulate yelp - - had not affected him at all. The older man remained seated on his own pedestal that stayed firmly on the floor, while the other three in the room hovered high up near the ceiling. Including Obi-Wan's.

Insecurity in himself threatened Obi-Wan's calm as he sensed his Master's ease with the Force . . . and a tiny bit of expectation from the older man and . . . hope. Insight brightened in Obi-Wan's mind, telling him his part in this new and unexpected trial.

Very slowly, and with a scraping noise on the floor, Qui-Gon's pedestal rose. It lurched just a hand's breadth up and stopped. It was only a modest effort. The pedestal drifted sideways a little and then back as Obi-Wan's doubts faded, his Master's gentle guidance flowing to him through their bond.

And down below, Qui-Gon remained still, peaceful and now content.


= = = End = = =

This story first posted on tf.n: 25-Apr-2009

Disclaimer: All characters and situations belong to George and Lucasfilm; I'm just playing in their sandbox.