Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi had remained silent the entire morning, only casting an occasional glance at his bleary eyed padawan. He had hoped that as they ate breakfast together in the small kitchenette in their quarters, Anakin would open up about what was troubling him. Anakin had never been concerned about anything in his life as a Jedi, and it intrigued Obi-Wan as to what was pestering his young padawan. Whatever it was he wanted to help his padawan clear his mind in preparation for his final Jedi trial. The Council had already assigned trials to many of the padawans, and Anakin's should be assigned any day now. Therefore, with breakfast almost finished and Anakin still remaining tight lipped on his troubles, Obi-Wan took matters upon himself and brought up the topic.
"You look tired." Obi-Wan commented, hoping this would get Anakin to start talking.
Anakin merely shrugged as he stood from the table and cleared off his dishes. "I don't sleep well anymore."
Quirking an eyebrow in response to Anakin's vague response, Obi-Wan continued to prod, "Care to tell me about it?"
Anakin sighed; he did not really want to discuss his nightmare, because he did not want to admit to Obi-Wan that he had been spooked by it. However, at the same time, he knew that if he did not tell Obi-Wan about it, his Master would only nag him for details later. "There isn't anything to say, really. I was awakened by a nightmare. I am sure it will not happen again." Anakin hoped that Obi-Wan would be satisfied with this response, but he ended up holding back a groan of annoyance as his Master continued his questioning.
"What is your nightmare about?"
"What does that matter?" Anakin answered back with his own question.
Obi-Wan shrugged while thoughtfully stroking his beard. "Maybe nothing, but I'm still curious as to what is bothering you. You know I've informed the Council that you are ready for your trials. I know you've passed everything they have put before you, but I don't want this nightmare to interfere with that."
"It won't." Anakin said defensively, still determined to evade Obi-Wan's line of questioning.
Obi-Wan nodded his head, "I am glad that you have that attitude, but I think you should tell me about your nightmare. At times the Force speaks to us through our dreams and that may be happening now. After all, you have been having the same nightmare for the last several nights."
Anakin slumped his shoulders and shook his head in defeat. His padawan braid swinging freely behind his right ear. "How did you know?"
Obi-Wan flashed a mischievous smile, a rich chuckle escaping his lips. "I didn't, but now I do."
Anakin glared at Obi-Wan, crossing his arms over his chest in growing irritation. "Fine! Since you aren't going to leave me alone until I tell you. It all starts…."
Having failed to fall asleep again after her latest nightmare, Padmé pushed herself out of bed and decided to get an early start to her day. Brushing her fingers through her chocolate curls and encountering a few knots, Padmé first located her brush to remove the tangles. A few minutes later, her hair was tightened into an intricate bun at the back of her head, and she was braiding one loose strand as a symbol of her still being a padawan. A symbol she was hoping she would not have to keep for much longer.
Most of Padmé's friends were away from the Temple completing their Jedi trials, and Padmé was waiting for the Council to send her on one herself. She knew that at any moment she could be called into the Council chambers and be on her way to complete the final steps in becoming a Jedi Knight. So each night she had made sure her Jedi robes were cleaned and pressed for when that happened. Therefore she was careful to straighten out any unwanted wrinkles as she put on her Jedi robes.
Stepping out of her bedroom and into the main sitting area of her and Master Shaak Ti's quarters, Padmé made her way towards the cooling unit to find something to eat. However, her steps were halted by the soft voice of her Master. "You had another nightmare last night, padawan."
Padmé whirled around to find her Master sitting on one of the meditation pads in their quarters. Two large black eyes slowly opened to focus on Padmé, scrutinizing the young woman.
"How did you know?" Padmé asked with surprise. She shifted from side to side as a wave of unease washed over her.
"I heard you." Master Ti answered before asking. "Was it the same as before?"
Padmé nodded her gaze now towards the floor, embarrassed that she kept having the same nightmare, "I don't know why I keep dreaming about that place. I don't even know where that is."
Maser Ti stood from her meditation pad, flicking one of her black and white lekku aside before striding towards her student. With one of her red pigmented hands, Master Ti lifted Padmé's chin so that their gazes could meet. "Things never happen by chance, young padawan. It is my experience that there is an explanation for everything."
"Then do you know why I keep having these nightmares?" Padmé asked hopefully.
"No." Shaak Ti answered truthfully. "However, since you are so close to your final Jedi trial, I would not be surprised if the two are linked."
Padmé was silent for a moment while she considered her Master's words. "You think my dream is telling me about the trials?"
"It is merely speculation on my part, young padawan, but I intend to inform the Council of it when I meet with them this afternoon."
A shiver of unease moved down Padmé's spine at these words, but she was able to push away her fears as she called upon the Force to steady her nerves.
"Very good, my padawan." Shaak Ti answered approvingly, clapping a hand on Padmé's shoulder. "Focus on the here and now, not the future. You can not control what will come, but you can prepare for it."
"Yes, Master." Padmé stated automatically, she was fighting her own thoughts as they tried to replay the images from her reoccurring nightmare.
"I suggest you go work on your saber skills to get your mind off things. The Council will not call you to them until tonight at the earliest. A good saber workout will distract you from your thoughts and provide good practice for what is to come."
"I suppose you're right." Padmé answered, watching Shaak Ti's features mold into a small smile.
"That's settled then." Shaak Ti stated and then gestured her padawan back towards their small kitchenette. "Now let's get some breakfast before you leave for the day."