Obi-wan sat listening to the animated stories that issued from his Padawan. He knew most of them already, as Depa had been thorough in keeping him updated with her training abroad. She did share with him that Thera's memories had wholly resurfaced, and her demeanor and outlook had changed for the better. Her eyes were clearer, more focused. Her voice sounded with smooth confidence and her expressions more thoughtful than critical. Instead, he was using the moment to detect the less than obvious changes in her.

His Padawan had taken to a more practical wardrobe- at least for a Jedi, he mused. Thera had been outfitted with Nexu leather boots that many of the Jedi knights wore, although the style was distinctly more feminine. It was the rest of the outfit that Obi-wan knew was Depa's doing. Slender charcoal gray bodysuit with reinforced knees and capped elbows were another element all together. It was something that he had only seen on Maldan free-divers, and he had to admit that the only thing missing from the picture was her lightsaber. She had shown the ribbed fuse that Depa had given her, and asked what it was for exactly.

"It's to regulate the intensity of your blade," Obi-wan replied as he looked it over. "It will be important when you start training. I've never seen one quite as complex though."

Thera's long braid fell over her shoulder as she took it back. "And what of your mission? I did not see Master Windu on the landing platform."

"He's currently vouching for the Jedi with the Senate about our recent findings."

She nodded in return, "I have been studying modern politics. It's so complicated… but even the Jedi here speak of the Separatist uprisings in the nearby systems."

Obi-wan thought for a moment as he looked over her sun-kissed features. "Thera, do you realize you speak of the Jedi as if you aren't one yourself?"

She blinked, "I'm only a Padawan."

"Padawan, Knight, Master… they are all the same. When you are training in the ways of the Force, it does not wait for you to determine if you regard yourself as a Jedi. You simply are."

Thera looked a little miffed; "Ok, I'm a Jedi."

The statement was simple, if not a tad unbelieving. But she mulled the statement over again as Obi-wan waited for it to sink in. Over the course of a minute, a rare and wondrous smile formed as she whispered; "I'm a Jedi."

Obi-wan grinned, "Yes, now you are."

It was a brief period of respite from training that Thera indulged herself in visiting the room of a thousand fountains. Quite often she found that titles were figurative, except in the case of the archives. When Obi-wan had related the story of how he had found her in the genealogy section, a questioning look came to his eyes. She had told him she was surprised at how similar humans were throughout the Republic in comparison to the species from her homeworld. Obi-wan listened, fascinated as she recounted the worldwide belief of her planet; their main cause of space exploration only in hopes of discovering others in nearby systems. It had grown late into the night and Thera's stories had turned sluggish, stuttered by yawns.

"We'll continue this tomorrow," said Obi-wan as they said their goodnights.

Now as Thera sat among the foliage of the temple gardens, she yawned and refocused her efforts in sketching an enormous Nepodium flower. The surrounding room was magnificent; the tiered levels of the biosphere wound itself around a main waterfall that included dozens of similar pools collecting and creating their own current. Undaunted by the immense height, she settled on one of the upper outcroppings. Far below, one had the advantage of viewing others strolling through the main floor.

The purpose of the room was present in its tranquility. Sunlight streamed through the vines that climbed the framework, and the air was heavy with moisture. In the fragrant atmosphere, Thera sprawled in the tall grass, her sketchbook fanning in the air as she soon fell asleep to the sound of bubbling water.

That was how Obi-wan found her two standard hours later when she didn't make an appearance for the mid-day meal. He had to admit that he was glad Thera had opened up about her homeworld, but he felt he was barely scratching the surface of the topic with her. So as he followed the trail left from her Force signature, he came upon the sight of Thera, sleeping on her side in the shade of a flowering Porpuha tree. The intricate braids in her hair were courtesy of the younglings that had currently taken to her. Flowers had dusted the ground and a finger still placed in the pages of her book. Grey slippers peeked out from the folds of the blue delegates' dress. Now that she was in training, he found that he was surprised that she still wore the dresses. Perhaps they were a comforting reminder of simpler times, he mused.

Next to him, the alcove that made up the level was gently gurgling with the current. He regarded the water, musing how well it reflected the sensation of the Force. It had ebb, flow, speed, and the feelings and colors it gave were so similar to the Force that with sudden reverence he understood the use of the room. Qui-gon had never explained the significance of the sanctuary, leaving yet another mystery for Obi-wan to figure out on his own.

But what if he still needed guidance? Qui-gon had related to him that he had passed along all that he could teach, but Obi-wan found himself in the same predicament as Thera had presented to him; she wanted his honest opinion. Selfishly, he realized that's what he would have asked of Qui-gon.

Obi-wan understood that water was like the Force, but deceptively it also described more; texture, temperature, sound... he knew there was more to the Jedi than the revered code. Even now as he watched a cool fog wisp off the top of the water, he knew emotion was held in it as well. At least, emotion in the Force. And yet it was only unleashed on them; the Jedi to receive.

What would Qui-gon have told him?

'Too figurative, Obi-wan,' he could imagine his Master saying, 'Focus on what the Force is telling you now. It responds to the world around us, cluing us in on anything that may disturb the balance. That we can interpret the Force is a testament to us as Jedi, but the code... it allows us not to run away with our personal interpretation, our own experiences.'

But what of the Force against itself? thought Obi-wan. Was it not also... pliable? He focused for a long while on the pool. Slowly, he raised a hand and concentrated on the theory. The current of the pool came to a stand-still, despite the waterfall nearby. In the center, a dome began to grow out of the surface under the guidance of his hand. Gradually, inch by inch a large sphere rose out of the water and into the glinting sunlight. As the water swirled in the confines of the Force, a gasp came from behind him. So intent on his focus, Obi-wan turned quickly, on the defensive. Behind him the water crashed back into the pool, the waves surging around his boots.

Thera was sitting up, flowers tangled in her braids as she took in the scene, her expression astounded.

Obi-wan relaxed, shaking the water from his boots. "I didn't mean to wake you, I apologize."

Thera was still staring, "Was... was that the first time you tried that?"

"Yes," he dried his hands on his robes and helped her up from the grass. "I suppose I was meditating on the meanings of the Force," her face drew almost level with his, "And of my former master."

Thera retrieved her sketchbook and turned to him, her voice thoughtful; "Will you tell me about Master Jinn?"

He nodded, and they sat on an overlook, their feet dangling in the outgrowing vines of the cliff. Obi-wan told of his padawan years; excursions to Naboo, visiting Master Billaba on Warrenglen, the Jedi commemorations held by grateful planets of the Republic. He talked of Qui-gon's skill with a lightsaber, and how even now he could not shake the dogged technique that was so similar to his Master.

It was there that the stories stopped rather abruptly and Thera did not push further. Out of the corner of her eye as she drew out the landscape below, she could see the standard expression on Obi-wan's face that she had come to know so well; pensive and guarded.

"You loved him," she said quietly, darkening the shadow of her sketch, then putting the book aside. When she looked back to Obi-wan, she found him staring at her, a pained mixture of relief that was contained to his eyes.

"I admit he was the only one I regarded as a father," he conceded, turning his gaze out to the clear Coruscant skyline.

"And he loved you," Thera stated softly. Obi-wan gave a small nod but did not look at her. "Maybe not in words," she continued, "but the stories you tell, he was always there for you. To me, it seems he took it upon himself to make sure that you needn't make the same mistakes he did, unless necessary."

"That's what I wonder," Obi-wan said slowly. "Maybe he didn't allow enough. I find myself under the disillusion many times, more so of what I'm still learning myself. It's a dangerous disadvantage in your training."

"Maybe," she mused, "but I know that you'll be there to help me live through my mistakes."

Obi-wan's eyebrows rose, "Prophetic dreams already?"

Thera didn't return the humor, instead she took his hand in hers, placing a weight on her words. "Is it so hard for you to believe that someone may know you so well? Or care to at least? I believe you'll be there, why isn't that good enough? Maybe you should ask yourself why the Force doesn't portray self-worth, or why the Jedi code can't fathom the coexistance-"

"The code is clear on the teachings that forbid attachment-" his hand slid from her grasp, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The conversation was heading in a direction that unsettled him in more ways than one, all of which he failed to grasp immediately. "And as for your concern of my self-worth, it's not in my pride that I find my placement." In his hurry for defense, Obi-wan instantly regretted the retort.

Thera scowled at the statement. "Of course not," she shot back, "but it seems lost on you that your love for Qui-gon is bittersweet because you've learned that it's too close to attachment." She got up from the ledge they were seated on, snatching up her sketchbook while saying, "That was the mistake you never made, at least not while Qui-gon was there for you."

His jaw tensed at the words while watching her stalk off in a whirl of robes, flowers still falling from her hair. He had half a mind to go after her and tell the real reasons of being at war with himself.

Deep inside he did believe that his former master had held love for him that only a father could give, but the Sith that had killed Qui-gon was a reminder of how volatile the power could work against him. A reminder that the code was an enduring pillar of safety within his training.

It was different in regards to Thera. Obi-wan watched her move through the lower levels and finally crossing through the main garden, other Jedi staring after her agitated exit. The problem in his mind was not of his love for Qui-gon, as Thera took it for, but for her and how his late master who was there for him, had now left Obi-wan at the mercy of it. He was at a loss of how to manage it, and the epiphany didn't seem to be coming to him any time soon as it did when he stood at the shore of the waterfall moments earlier.

"Stars' end," he muttered, getting up from the ledge and jogging down the path after Thera.

It was the first time in awhile that she was angry. It was not an emotion that Thera excelled at; the end results allowing her to do whatever she wanted, damn the results. Blocking out the Force that pushed against her senses, she took the lifts to the main level and headed for the exit. The cavernous foyer of the Jedi temple was still impressive to her, but she longed for something more intimate, something that had character in this planet that seemed to be furnished with nothing more than plastisteel and permacrete.

Considering how few credits she had to her name, she took a public levitaxi down to the lower levels of the cavernous city until she was deposited among the masses that traveled on foot. In the crowds of Coruscant, it was plain that it was an affluent society that benefitted to the close location of the Senate. Still, there was something to be desired of experiencing living beings besides Jedi. Aimlessly she walked, weaving through the grids that bordered the city sectors.

After an hour, the question came to her of exactly what she was looking for. Cantina's were less than favorable at this time of evening, and a female humanoid unescorted began to draw stares from the entourages that grouped around each other. The deep blue of the approaching night reminded her of the oceans of her homeworld. Although she knew the geography of Coruscant was mainly landmass, she sighed, wishing for nothing more than to crest a grassy dune and come upon the roar of the ocean.

Thera recognized the market region that she had attended with Depa, and habitually purchased a paper cone of dried Nexu meat. Walking further on she came to the nearby ampitheatre, busy with the glow of the vendor's and the hum of conversation. The permacrete tiers were well worn from the foot traffic and Thera sank onto the ledge, nibbling absently on the meat. She had underestimated how hard it was to block out the Force entirely, or failed to notice how disorienting it was to be in such a large crowd when her learning had advanced since her last venture out into society.

Her anger of the conversation had long since ebbed and now she sat feeling as though her actions were irrational. The distinction that she was being protected during her training was not lost on her, and yet she felt as if there was no outlet beyond the temple, beyond the ways of a Jedi. It unsettled her. It made her feel...inadaptable. Obi-wan's stubbornness towards their conversation had only aggravated her more. The one person she cared for most in this new life had a penchant for closing off the portal of connection; she felt that if she couldn't speak openly to Obi-wan, then there could be no one else. No other confidant... the thought saddened her immensely.

Over the subtle noise of the square, Thera could hear the distinct crunch of boots against the flagstones. His cloak brushed the ground as he kneeled next to her, considering for a moment before taking a seat. Without looking at him, for the first time Thera was able to detect elements that were distinctly Obi-wan. A smell that was a mix between rain and wood, and as his cloak flowed… nexu leather and Jandaran cottonelle. As a form of peace offering she tilted her paper cone towards him.

She didn't need to look, as she could picture his features as he took a handful of the food and popped a few into his mouth. For once they were outside of the temple, experiencing a normal evening on Coruscant.

The conversation she departed from rose up in her mind and she turned to him fully. "Why did you follow me?"

Obi-wan finished chewing, his features mainly in shadow and his profile illuminated by the market lights. "Many reasons. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that your person could be worth quite a bounty at this point." He continued after seeing the disappointed look in her eye, "But it did also give me the excuse to speak with you further... I feel I left things unsaid, which led you to think the worst of my thoughts."

"I'm listening now," Thera said, and after a moment's consideration, "I'm not going anywhere."

Obi-wan made to stand, looking to the night sky, "This isn't the appropriate place-"

"In what place would it be appropriate?" she countered, her jaw firmly set. "Would you like to set a time as well to tell me things of importance?"

The two looked at each other, a battle fought with eyes. Thera felt the ache of losing a friend again, but the conversation had distracted her against the Force and the emotions now poured out from her. Only at that point did she realize how easily she could be read, and with a sigh of embarrassment she hid her face in her hand.

Obi-wan settled back onto the seat, fully turning to her and his voice came as a low murmur, a soothing contrast against the lively square. "I understand that you may feel isolated, and that past implications have now hindered your exposure to Coruscant, but that won't always be the case. I'm seeing to it that one day soon you may walk through the dirtiest outer-rim planets without concern for your well-being."

In an attentive gesture, he drew her hand away from her face, "And... as for the mistakes I never made, I care for you- too much to allow them to be made against you."

"What mistakes?" Thera asked, exasperated as she stared at him, "Jedi know that they're not infallible. And as you put it, I'm not so... breakable."

He swallowed, seeming to choose his words carefully; "My life as a Jedi, and as a Padawan has never allowed for the bond that exists between us now. Between Qui-gon and I, there was caring… but never so much that it bordered on compassion."

Around them the night had settled, warm and lively as mid-evening approached. Thera thought about his words, a warm flicker within her chest, but unless he was definitely finished she chose not to interrupt.

"Compassion is something that Jedi rarely…use in everyday life," he stated quietly.

"Is that all?" she breathed. Without ceremony, she slowly lifted her arms and encircled his shoulders, pausing before closing the hug. Beneath his robes, Thera could feel muscles tense and then relax slowly over the minutes that passed. She felt him lift his arms and return the embrace, his chin resting next to her forehead so that the ghost of his beard scratched her eyebrows.

"Breathe," she whispered, and if she had opened her eyes, she would have seen the ghostly outline of Obi-wan's ethereal glow.

"See, you're a natural."