Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise Joy) belong to them.
"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa"-talking through a holo. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond
AN: Thank you for the reviews:)
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Chapter One
"Have you been feeling out of place Ana?" The question startled the teen who jerked her head up from her study of the footpath they were currently walking on. Fatherly and concerned blue eyes were watching over her and Analise had to smile. Qui-Gon, Da always made her feel safe, made everything better.
And yet...she wasn't sure if she wanted him to know. She was slowly starting to forget that she had even lived on a planet called Earth until the teasing of the older Padawans flooded her with memories. Another time, another place. Analise called herself an Earthling, but it wasn't actually true. She may have lived on Earth, but she had been born in this galaxy. On Tatooine.
No, she didn't really want to tell Da how she was feeling. She didn't want him to worry...but she couldn't not tell him. Holding something back was a form of lying after all and trust was so important to the Jedi. Only a Master or a Knight was allowed to hold back part of a truth or change it a little if they felt that it was for the benefit of many, but she wasn't a Knight yet.
"I do feel out of place sometimes Da" She sighed and directed her gaze back to the ground. "There are times, days or once-in-a-while weeks that I forget that I ever lived on Earth, in another galaxy other then this one. It just feels like I wasn't meant to be anywhere, but here."
"But?" Qui-Gon urged on her thoughts gently.
"But then I say something or do something that is so Earthling. I get sick or hurt. That's when some of Padawans start to tease me. I'm sure they don't mean to be cruel or hurt me" Analise rushed the thought out feeling Qui-Gon's ire at those who would dare tease or bully his beloved daughter. "I am sure that they do it because they can't fully understand the planet I grew up on and that scares them a little. Beings are scared of what they don't understand." She kicked at the ground a little. "I think they are scared of me."
The Grey Jedi Master was quick to wrap an arm around the girl's shoulders as he pushed wave after wave of comforting love and affection through their Bond. "There's more though, isn't there?" Analise nodded, opting to use their Bond to speak. She didn't want Anakin or Obi-Wan to overhear, although they walked on ahead.
These incidents that have been happening on our missions Da...the accidents...they seem to be happening around me.
I have noticed that sweet Ana. Thank the Force that you haven't been seriously injured in them.
That's just it Da. I come out okay, but often they put a strain on the mission depending on our roles. We've already had a couple where our mission nearly failed because of an accident and the sides placed blame on the other. She snuggled close to him, a little scared because of her next thought. If these accidents, incidents keep happening and putting our missions at risks won't the Council take me off the mission roster?
Of course not! Qui-Gon tightened the are around Analise. The Masters on the Council know that you belong out in the field on missions, not locked away at the Temple.
But if it keeps the missions from falling apart and failing...
No. Qui-Gon stopped her so he could give her a proper hug. "I believe in you. The Council believes in you. Obi-Wan and Anakin believes in you." He noted the blush at Obi-Wan's name, but choose to say nothing. "Do not doubt yourself Analise Skywalker. I forbid it." The girl giggled, starting to feel better..
"Just like you forbid sweets before late-meal."
"Exactly."
"You know that Dex will just give us shakes anyway, even if you try to Mind-Trick him into not giving us the shakes."
"Do or do not..."
"There is no try!" Analise squealed with laughter as Qui-Gon started to tickle her. She wiggled away and dashed up to Anakin and Obi-Wan.
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"I'm worried that your plan to throw a party for Analise won't happen Anakin."
"Why not Master?" Anakin's eyes were scanning the storefronts they passed on the way to Dex's Dinner. A current of excitement ran through him and into his Master. Obi-wan sighed. He knew he could not change Anakin's mind and honestly, the Knight wasn't even sure if he wanted to. His Moonbeam deserved a party, Anakin did too. They were doing so well at their studies and proving that they were just as good if not better than then other Padawans their age or older.
"Not many of the older Masters and Knights will be thrilled if they hear that you are planning a birthday party for Analise, no matter how small. They will see as a breach of the Code. They want the Code, the way they Jedi have been acting to stay the same."
"Where does it say that?" Anakin turned to face Obi-Wan as he walked backward. "Where does it say that it's wrong for Jedi to celebrate birthdays by having a party or a get-together Master?"
"It doesn't say it exactly Padawan..." Obi-Wan paused. Anakin was right. There was nothing in the Code that clearly stated that celebrations were forbidden. They were just frowned upon.
"I just want Analise to be happy. To know that she has changed a lot of lives. That more than just us care about her."
Obi-Wan smiled and reached out to gently tug on Anakin's braid. "Alright Ani. Let's have a party."
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"Hey Dex, can I ask you something?" Dexter Jettster gave a gravely laugh at the teenage Padawan staring at him with pleading aak-puppy eyes.
"What do you want little Skywalker?"
"I'm not so little anymore" Anakin huffed. "I was just wondering if I could have a party here for Ana. Our birthday is in a few days and I want to give her party."
Dex rested two of his hands on his hips. The Besalisk's dinner had become a popular place for the younger and more rebellious Jedi crowd in recent years. They loved his food and the information he was willing to hand out for nothing. In turn Dex overhead things. He had known there was as struggle between those who longed for the change and those who wanted to hold onto the old way.
In Dex's mind, the Jedi needed to change. They had all but cut themselves off from the galaxy in a way. A birthday party for a Padawan could be a good place to start.
"A party you say? Do you have permission?"
"From Master Obi-Wan and Da."
"How about this? You get permission from at least two Members of the Council and I'll close this place down on the night of your birthday and you can throw Ana her party." He chuckled. "I'll even make the food. I know some of her favorite dishes."
"Great!" Anakin jumped up and down a little before remembering he was about to turn sixteen and needed to act like it. "I know exactly which Council Members I can ask and who will say yes!"
