Chapter One
"Hold still, Padawan."
Hold still! How can he hold still when the world just outside the door is turning upside down? When innocents are being injured, even dying? They should be out there helping them. That's what they came to Rutan for in the first place. Without Jedi intervention, the inhabitants would simply exterminate themselves, all out of hatred for one another. No political disagreements, no war over resources or boundaries. The two different races on the planet simply don't like each other.
"It's just a scratch, Master," Anakin points out while Obi-Wan Kenobi applies Force healing to his leg.
"You should know better than to rush into an unstable environment. When are you going to learn?"
"But that youngling was…"
"Well away from danger," Obi-Wan interrupts, his voice laced with the slightest irritation. "The collapse of that wall didn't injure anyone but you."
"I'm sorry," Anakin sincerely admits. He tries, really tries to imitate Master Obi-Wan, but sometimes it seems an impossible task. The man is so….damn perfect! He never loses his temper, never says anything he regrets. He could be the holoposter representation of the Jedi.
On the other hand, that's all he is. An esteemed Jedi Master. Anakin has never seen him have any fun…with anyone. Outside of the Jedi Order, it's obvious his Master doesn't have a life.
"You must learn to think. Trust in the Force and stop allowing your emotions to control your actions."
"Yes, Master."
"There. That should do it."
Anakin checks his leg, pleased to see the bleeding has stopped and the cut has been neatly knitted together. He's not sure if he'll ever reach the level of Force manipulation his Master holds. It requires too much patience.
The distinct spattering sound of a blast grenade occurs just outside of the warehouse his Master has drug him into. Anakin hurriedly replaces his boot.
"We'll stay here until the Kudana pass by," Obi-Wan whispers while shadows of the tall, thin beings cross beneath the doorway.
"Master? What do you do for fun when we're home?"
As expected, the look which his Master casts him is dubious to say the least. "What?"
"I mean, when we're between missions, when I'm hanging out with my friends. What do you do with your time?"
"I have hobbies."
Now, it's Anakin's turn to be suspicious. "Hobbies! Like what?"
"Uhm…..reading. I like to read."
Anakin's lip curls in disbelief as he follows his Master's lead and carefully creeps toward the back of the warehouse, being sure to stay in the shadows. "Those philosophy texts you read, Master are not what I would consider a pleasurable past-time. You need to get out more. I was thinking, with the winter season coming on, maybe we could go to the Solstice Celebration this year."
"I thought you would've learned your lesson in that as well, Padawan," Obi-Wan answers without slowing down or turning around, and the Padawan fights the urge to roll his eyes.
"That was two years ago, Master! How was I to know Delphonians consider dancing part of their mating ritual? Believe me, I won't let it happen again. I was just…"
The young Jedi pauses as his Master bids him quiet. Beyond the gated opening ahead of them are gathered a small crowd, and it's too dark to discern if they are Kudana or Rutanians. As Jedi, they are not allowed to take sides, but negotiations had been going much smoother with the Rutanians, until, of course, the Kudana blew their meeting house into bits.
Anakin lowers the pitch of his voice as much as he can. He has to pursue this. There's no going back. Lives are at stake! "I'd like for us to go. That's all."
"Can't we discuss this another time?" Obi-Wan replies, calling his lightsaber into his hand.
No. They can't. Anakin mimicks his Master's actions. "Just promise me, Master. Promise me we'll go to the celebration. It'll be fun."
"Yes, yes. Whatever, Padawan. Right now, I want you to focus on the Force. Those are the Kudana ahead, and I'm afraid they've spotted us."