The Creature
By Jemmiah
He'd never seen anything so monstrous in all his born days.
That was saying something, Qui-Gon paused long enough to reflect, because in his time he'd met some really ugly critters. Some of them were almost unrecognisable, like this…thing before him. It stared malevolently back at him; eyes focused waveringly on his own. Could anything so repulsive have a name?
There had been many times in the past where he had managed to find himself in situations where he ideally wouldn't want to be, or worse still when his apprentice was similarly neck deep in trouble. This time he thanked the force he had to face this particular piece of nastiness on his own: this was not a vision for someone of his padawan's tender years to face so early in his life.
The creature blinked twice, lowering its head as if the weight was too much for its swollen neck to bear. Qui-Gon stared in horrified amazement, not wanting to get too near. It's skin seemed dry and papery with an almost greyish tinge that both repelled and fascinated him. Tiny red eyes like burning embers in a dying fire lay swamped within folds of heavy flesh whilst the sockets beneath the eyes were hollowed and gaunt. In the subdued light of dawn the creature's slack-jaw revealed yellow stained, worn teeth and large, rubbery lips that were cracked and creased. It's tongue protruded fractionally from the corner of its mouth, furred and discoloured. If it's appearance was anything to go by Qui-Gon was prepared to bet that the accompanying breath would be undoubtedly putrid, and again resolved not to get closer.
The sheer shape of the creature coupled by its twisted, ungainly bulk held him enthralled. There was something almost compelling in its gaze. Part of him wanted to run, to flee from the scene…yet still he stood his ground. He could almost see his own image reflected within the gimlet eyes.
He could feel the sweat standing out upon his brow. Just how long could he stand there, fighting the urge to turn tail?
/A jedi must be prepared to face all things./ Qui-Gon tried to calm himself. /No matter how distasteful…yes, even his own death if the force wills it. I've seen worse things than this…/
Actually, he wasn't sure he had.
Without warning the creature pulled itself upright, letting its long, matted hair fall across the sickly looking skin, revealing itself in its full, nightmarish glory.
"Force, you're ugly." Qui-Gon whispered under his breath, before finally deciding he could look upon its unsightliness no longer.
With long, loping strides Qui-Gon turned his back upon the frightening apparition and hastened away, the memory of the fearsome creature still very much lingering in his mind.
Jemmiah and Obi-Wan watched with curiosity as the tall Jedi continued to walk past them without so much as a single word.
"Master?" Obi-Wan asked, frowning pensively at his lack of acknowledgement. "Is something that matter?"
"Quiggy's been looking in the mirror again." Jemmy sighed, chewing distractedly on a piece of burned toast as Qui-Gon retreated back in the direction of his bedroom. "I keep warning him not to do that first thing in the morning, especially after a night out with Master Berlingside. You'll never like what you see…"