Darsant Avat
Building Friendships
Over the next few days before Princess Breha's birthday, Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan to tour the rest of the area. Neither of them suffered any dreams, and Qui-Gon was certain of this because he kept the child close by his side at night and could easily monitor him this way. They visited other officials of Alderaan, where Obi-Wan was able to make friends his age. With the mantle of duty removed for the time being, Qui-Gon was also able to witness how many of the officials were like when they were not engrossed in politics and negotiations. It was nice to see a more civil, honest side to people who tend to be unapproachable in their normal job settings.
Of course, it also helped that Obi-Wan was irresistible. The boy also seemed to have a sense for which adults liked children and which did not, deftly avoiding those who seemed colder in favor of the warmer ones, much to Qui-Gon's amazement. Sometimes the child seemed as incomprehensible and surprising as another species altogether. He also grew an entire inch during his stay on the planet, reminding him woefully that children did not stay so for long.
He had been a bit sad when Feemor was knighted, less so when Authsola was, but he knew he was going to be a complete mess once Obi-Wan completed his training. They grow up so fast! How on earth did Yoda feel, to see student after student pass into the Force while he remained?
"Glad to see that you remember us, Qui," Mace's hologram took nothing away from his peeved expression, "One would think you decided to take your little one and run away from the Order. You're not allowed to do that, by the way."
"Darn it," Said Qui-Gon, "There goes my plan."
"How is the bond? The dreams?"
"Pretty good. It's been a few days, neither of us had any dreams. Then again, there does not seem to be anything dangerous on Alderaan, and Obi-Wan has been making friends and generally having a good time."
"That's good to hear. Hopefully it holds over when you return. We'll give you a couple of days to readjust, if everything's good then you'll be sent on a mission."
Qui-Gon blinked. He better remember to take Obi-Wan to Dexter's as soon as they were in Coruscant. "Not a long one, I hope."
"Hm!" The Korun Master snorted. "Of course not. Authsola is anxious to meet Obi-Wan, she'll be watching out for him until you return. I see your sinister plot, I do. You chose a youngster so that we can't send you on difficult missions!"
"You've found me out, Mace," Qui-Gon chuckled. "Thinking about using the same trick?"
"I'm far too busy for that sort of thing. They were not joking when they said you have no time once you're on the Council. Be glad you're not on it, or you'd have absolutely no time to even contemplate training your little one."
Qui-Gon chuckled again. "Has anyone found anything while I was gone?"
Mace sighed. "You have to understand…what you did with Obi-Wan, I mean, the two of you really aren't a good match. We haven't found a master-padawan pairing like that, not from the start. Partnerships, yes, but not a master-padawan pairing."
"Surely there has been some examples before?"
"Well, yes, but not successful ones. You do want Obi-Wan to pass the trials, I hope."
Qui-Gon frowned. "The trials have less to do with skills in the Force and more to do with integrity—you know that as well as I."
"That doesn't mean skills are completely unnecessary, but that's not entirely what I mean. The masters who did what you did, well, they didn't exactly have the best intentions for their padawan. It's like what we said with the Sith, we found mostly stuff in the Sith holocrons, since the Living Force balances the Unifying Force and vice versa. As you know, such pairings don't end well."
"What about the phenomenon, Darsant Avat?"
Mace was quiet for a moment.
"Other than the one you found, no one really found anything else. It's not exactly a cultivated philosophy, this Darsant Avat. Your best bet would be to go to the shamans themselves and ask them yourself, but you know how easy that is."
"Not easy." The order of the Whills was much more reclusive than the Jedi. They rarely granted audience to those outside their order, unless there was an impending dramatic change in the galaxy, usually in the form of a great catastrophe. Qui-Gon sighed.
"Well you and your little one are doing fine for now, perhaps all you needed was a break and a change of scenery."
"I'll take anything at this point, Mace. Thanks for all your help, and pass that along to the others."
"I will. Take care, Qui, and Force be with you. There's work waiting for you once you get back, so you better make the most of your time."
"You know I always do." Qui-Gon smiled.
The viceroy and his son had been responsible for keeping track of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as opposed to the prince, who took that first day off to meet the youngster and then had to see to his court affairs. It was the viceroy who brought in a bag of Alderaan snacks for the little one, though they made sure to keep it a secret. Qui-Gon had a feeling Obi-Wan would not exert that much restraint if he ever realized just how much food Qui-Gon intended to bring back to Coruscant.
"What will happen, Master Jinn?" The viceroy asked as he set the bag down, "Will Obi-Wan Kenobi be weaned off gluttony during his apprenticeship?"
"Definitely," Qui-Gon pulled the bag over to look at the contents, "Just not now."
"Small steps, hm?"
"Well that, and I learned my lesson with Feemor—it helps to have some sort of method to bribe them with when they're older and going through their teenage years."
Organa guffawed at this. "You, my Jedi friend, are a wise, wise man."
OoO
"How old is she turning today?" Obi-Wan asked from next to Qui-Gon in the luxury speeder.
"She's the same age as Bail, correct?"
"She's a few months younger than me, so nineteen," Said Bail. This time, they were being driven by a chaperone, so the young man was sitting across from Obi-Wan.
"Will there be anyone my age?" The boy's voice carried a somewhat plaintive tone.
"Haha, probably," Said the viceroy with good humor, "It's a party, child, so I expect many officials will be bringing their children to the palace."
"A lot of people will be there, right?"
"Oh yes. Most of the core sectors, in fact. You will be meeting many new friends. He's going to get to know all these people a lot earlier than most padawans, isn't he, Master Jinn?"
"You better be on your best behavior," Said Qui-Gon, never mind that Obi-Wan usually was on his best behavior. The youngster nodded emphatically, however.
"There will be a lot of people for a nineteen-year-old princess's birthday," The child observed. "I wonder what that's like?"
"Hm?"
"For so many people to celebrate your birthday. Does she even know everyone? We're going and she definitely doesn't know us. Whenever my friends and I had birthdays, it's just us, and even other initiates we don't know don't bother with anything."
"How do Jedi initiates celebrate?"
"Mostly we hang out," Obi-Wan went on, "Is the princess going to have a lot of gifts? Where is she going to keep them all?"
"The palace is big," Said the young man.
"It'll have to be," Obi-Wan said knowingly. "Are we supposed to bring presents too?"
"No," Said the viceroy, "No, you don't have to. You already gave us a great present beforehand."
"Oh. What was it?"
"It was another Jedi," Said Qui-Gon. "We're here in his stead."
"What did this Jedi do?"
"He settled a dispute." Qui-Gon sent a gentle hint to let the subject drop. Obi-Wan mentally acknowledged this, said "Oh," out loud, and fell quiet for the rest of the trip.
The child kept close to Qui-Gon's side when they entered the palace. Normally a padawan walked two steps behind and to the left of his master, but Obi-Wan was so little that Qui-Gon was afraid someone might snatch him when his own back was turned. It was that bizarre paranoia again, but despite all the security, this social function still presented many opportunities for foulplay, and he would be kidding himself if he insisted on maintaining that the child was his student and nothing more. There would be time, later, when Obi-Wan was actually old enough to join him on missions rather than be left at the temple, for Qui-Gon to instruct him on formal protocols.
For now, he kept a tight grip on the little one's hand, even as he nodded and smiled and bowed his way through various acquaintances, keeping a careful eye on those around him, especially when they were interacting with his padawan.
Obi-Wan was not as extroverted in this setting as he had been when the number of strangers had been limited. The child was a bit overwhelmed by all the attention, and sensed, Qui-Gon suspected, that many of the individuals he was being introduced to were not the most benevolent. Still, he greeted everyone with a sweet smile, and if he did not touch the hearts of everyone, he did not alienate anyone either.
"Your Highness!" He chirped, beaming at Prince Bail, who was likewise smiling at the child with great affection.
"Hello, young padawan," Said the senator, " Master Jinn. I am very happy to see you here. Allow me to introduce my daughter, Princess Breha."
"Happy Birthday!" The child said.
"Thank you, Padawan," The princess curtsied a little, "Thank you both for coming. It is an honor to have you here."
"The honor is ours," Qui-Gon bowed.
"You look really pretty," Obi-Wan told the young lady, completely unaware of how unintentionally charming he was being.
"Thank you, Padawan," Princess Breha smiled wider at the boy. Beside her, Prince Bail was making a visible effort to repress his mirth.
It was almost ridiculous how easily the boy was wrapping people around his tiny finger, all the more amazing because the young rascal was not even trying.
They were led to their seats, planted next to the Corellian senator and a few Alderaanian officials, two of whom brought their children: a fifteen-year-old girl, a seven-year-old boy, and ten-year-old identical twin boys. Obi-Wan had not learned proper dining etiquette and grabbed one of the pieces of spiced bread placed as appetizer before Qui-Gon could stop him.
"Let him," Said one of the officials with a fond grin, "The child is hungry—children don't tolerate hunger well." For a good measure, all the adults took some bread too, and Qui-Gon reminded Obi-Wan to leave some for everyone else. He adjusted the boy's napkin over his lap as the other parents did the same. Strangely, Obi-Wan did not voluntarily introduce himself to the other children, who correspondingly regarded him as if he were an unknown species.
When it became clear that the children were not going to interact on their own, the adults introduced them and switched seats to allow the youngsters to sit next to each other. The fifteen-year-old girl had an omnipresent scowl on her face, which was no wonder given her choice of companions. The seven-year-old boy was scared of Obi-Wan, while the ten-year-old twins, showing their breeding, began to pick on the padawan's strange hairstyle, despite their parents' remonstrations. Obi-Wan endured all of this with as much grace as one could expect from a nine-year-old; his Jedi training prevailed in that he managed to ignore the taunts impassively, but he was annoyed enough that he did not reach out to anyone.
He knew, Qui-Gon realized, That was why he didn't introduce himself to the other children. It might be blasphemous to believe in magic, considering to many, the Force is magic, but the Jedi Master was past explaining his little one. That's it. Obi-Wan is magic.
Bail Organa was sitting next to his fiancé, but arranged marriages had a way of making things incredibly awkward for the couple involved. It was not long before he and his sisters actually sought out Obi-Wan, partially to break the ice with the princess, partially to show off the youngster to their friends. The food had yet to arrive—the banquet consisted of a long four-hour performance in honor of the princess, so everyone was still milling about the hall. Obi-Wan eagerly went with them, while Qui-Gon forced himself to remain seated—having a Jedi Master mingle among adolescents and young adults would sour any situation, and he also wanted to prove to himself that he did not lose his marbles over the youngster. He could keep an eye on the child from his seat at the table well enough, and Alderaan had proven itself to be a safe sanctuary.
Once away from the table, Obi-Wan's end of the bond brightened considerably. A few minutes later, one of the palace representatives approached Qui-Gon to ask if he would like to sit with the royal family instead.
"Their Highnesses are especially fond of Padawan Kenobi, and would like to know if you would be agreeable to moving?"
What did I tell Tahl? "Oh, certainly." This would allow Obi-Wan to enjoy himself and allow Qui-Gon to keep him close. Or keep close to him. Either way the master was not giving this up. He bid his tablemates goodbye and followed the representative.
"It hurt a lot," Obi-Wan was telling the princess, "I wasn't so much scared because it hurt a lot, and it was dark, and I thought I was going to throw up even though I didn't. I heard people calling out my name and that helped because I remembered they were looking for me—I just had to be patient. It seemed like forever, but then the top opened and there was light, and then Master Qui-Gon was looking down at me and I knew I was going to be alright."
Qui-Gon was shown a seat that was a bit distant from where his padawan was entertaining the household, but it was close enough that Prince Bail could lean forward to call over to him.
"Your young one is a brave lad, Master Jinn!"
"That he is," Qui-Gon smiled.
Most of the attention at this table was focused on Obi-Wan, but Qui-Gon could not avoid sharing some as well.
"That must be a horrifying experience," Said one of the officials, "To be buried under debris! Your padawan tells the story like it was a walk in the park."
"That little rascal is too mischievous to be traumatized," The Jedi master said fondly, "Not a few days later he was annoying all the healers by blowing bubbles everywhere while his legs were wrapped in bacta casts. I still don't know how he hid the bottles."
"It's no wonder you chose him so early," Said another.
Food finally arrived, just before the show was to begin, and Obi-Wan went to sit beside Qui-Gon. The child reached out through the Force and surprised an official by suddenly hovering a chunk of nerf meat into the air.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon used a fork to gently bat it back down, "Don't use your telekinesis here. It's rude."
Bail Organa was laughing. "Well there you have a demonstration of the practical uses of Jedi tricks."
"If you want something you can ask for someone to hand it to you," Qui-Gon continued on, feeling a little embarrassed about lecturing his padawan in front of everyone like this. He had lectured Feemor and Authsola before, but not about something so trivial. He never had to, and did not think to for Obi-Wan.
"Sorry," Obi-Wan shrank sheepishly.
"Pass that, would you?" Prince Bail laughed, as Qui-Gon rubbed the boy's shoulder in reassurance—it was his own fault, after all, for not instructing the boy beforehand.
Conversation died down only slightly once the performance began. The little one watched with rapt attention at the colors and music and graceful scenery, for once forgetting that he had to eat. Qui-Gon had to elbow him gently to remind him, occasionally reaching for dishes to put on the child's plate. The other adults looked at the boy and chuckled to each other. Qui-Gon heard bits and pieces of their conversations, "Little Jedi", and "Too cute" usually being mentioned.
The youngster did not notice any of this. Qui-Gon figured he could recount tales of this to a baffled teenage Obi-Wan a few years later. His ignorance somehow served to enhance how tremendous this was, and Qui-Gon found that watching Obi-Wan was far more diverting and heartwarming than any of the performances playing onstage.
Was this what it was like to be a father? Qui-Gon doubted they would ever have such a normal relationship, but it must be close, because he had never felt such tender feelings before. Not even with Tahl.
OoO
They went back to the viceroy's estate later that evening, Obi-Wan clutching a list of addresses he was to submit postcards to once he returned to Coruscant. The boy was responsible enough for a nine-year-old, but Qui-Gon was not so far gone that he forgot how easily the youngsters still lost things, and kept the list for him. There were both adults and children on the list, and Obi-Wan might have just become the most popular Jedi in the Order because of this one banquet.
"You have to bring him back," Said the viceroy's wife, "If only to keep the network solid. Have him visit all the Core realms to solidify relations with all the ambassadors he's met today."
Obi-Wan was asleep, head pillowed on Qui-Gon's lap. The Jedi Master smoothed the boy's hair with a nod.
"I think…that will do." There were vipers in politics, of course, but in truth, there were vipers everywhere, and the Core worlds were more structured and easy to navigate than other worlds. If Obi-Wan showed an aptitude for these sectors as he progressed toward knighthood, he would not be sent out to the others where slavery and other filthy practices were rampant. Even someone like Qui-Gon can be vulnerable in such debauched places, and if the Dark Side were actively targeting the child…best keep him away from where the worst of it lurked.
It was not noble of him to feel this way; Obi-Wan was training to be a Jedi Knight, and Jedi Knights should not avoid danger for their own sake, but if the Force loved him so, why should Qui-Gon be any different?
His vision suddenly tunneled in, and he felt like he was sucked into the Force, before an image loomed in front of his eyes. Two cloaked figures, all in dark, the world around them shrouded in darkness. One figure, tall and thin, knelt on one knee and bowed its head.
"Speak, my apprentice," Said the one who was still standing, "What have you to report?"
"I believe," Said the apprentice, and the voice and accent was chillingly familiar, "I have found the Chosen One."
Qui-Gon came back to himself as if nothing had happened. The viceroy was still speaking.
"It will certainly help the Jedi to have friends in the Core sectors, yes?"
"Yes," Said his wife.
Qui-Gon rested his hand against the boy's head. Xanatos…
OoO
"I want to know how this Telosian governor came in contact with my padawan."
Nautolan expression was not always obvious to humans, especially not through the distorting effects of the hologram, but Kit Fisto definitely looked annoyed. "It's like everything with you two. He giggled, the governor noticed. At least there's a consistency to things."
Qui-Gon slapped his forehead.
"What happened? He just walked up to Obi-Wan and started talking to him?"
"Something like that."
Why did Obi-Wan trust Xanatos? He showed unusually perceptive instincts at the banquet, and all along Alderaan. Granted, no one was infallible, but this seemed to be an error of massive proportions, if Xanatos was a Sith.
And considering that Qui-Gon's visions came from his padawan, Obi-Wan should have been able to sense that. Or could he?
"He just made friends with the governor, just like that?"
"Well if you want to go into the details," The Nautolan knight remarked with some exasperation, "He didn't like the man, not at first. You know how bold the youngling is—he talked to Sifo-Dyas as if he were another one of his friends. He was pretty shy around Du Crion. The governor was pretty persistent, now that I think of it, and eventually the boy warmed up to him."
"How long did that take?"
"Qui-Gon, are you sure you're feeling alright?"
"Answer the question," Qui-Gon said shortly.
The Nautolan inclined his head. "He did approach your padawan several times during his stay here, and asked a lot of questions about him, and about you. Once, when he returned, he gave him a blue crystal in the shape of a bachani flower."
Are you serious? "Obi-Wan never showed me this crystal."
"That's because Master Sifo-Dyas took it from him." Kit frowned. "He didn't tell you all of this?"
That was not even the most worrying part. "Did no one find it strange that a governor from Telos took such an interest in my padawan?"
"It wasn't blatant like that, Master Jinn. He heard the child laugh, went up to talk to him, then came away asking if all initiates start off like that. I wasn't there for all of it, but I know that he didn't behave any differently than anyone else. There happened to be other people who came across the child in your absence, Qui-Gon. A nine-year-old padawan who giggles like that does capture one's attention. Qui-Gon, the man is gone. He's gone back to Telos with his lackeys. You can relax. Even if he is a scumbag, I really doubt he'd hurt your little one."
Qui-Gon knew if he went out and called Xanatos Du Crion a Sith, Kit Fisto would just conclude he had well and truly lost it. Plus, it seemed like the person he should talk to was actually Sifo-Dyas.
Funny how the man never approached him when he returned from the mission. Against everything he had been trained in, Qui-Gon found his temper rising. How dare he! Did he tell Obi-Wan not to mention the crystal to anyone? He was going to have a few words with the master. It did not matter if he was Dooku's best friend—if he thinks he can use his fame and seniority to take advantage of Obi-Wan, then he needs to learn just what it meant to face Qui-Gon Jinn!
"Uh, Master Jinn, is everything alright? Did you have a bad day today or something?"
"No, today was a good day." Except for the vision. He was going to have to talk to Obi-Wan in the morning, when the child woke up. He was not angry at the boy, but he was…angry, and feeling helpless, because even here on Alderaan where they were supposed to be enjoying themselves and everyone seemed to adore his child, the Dark Side seemed ever-looming, refusing to leave them alone. How does one fight against what is unseen? "Thanks a lot…for answering my questions, Kit. Is Tahl back yet?"
"No…she'll be back in another couple of minutes."
"Never mind. I'll talk to her in the morning." Qui-Gon sighed.
"Maybe you should talk to Master Yoda when you return. The governor was never alone with your little one, but I wouldn't want him anywhere near my padawan either."
Qui-Gon nodded, part of him soothed by this news. Obi-Wan had been right about this part—the initiates were well-guarded, and the visitors to the temple were always escorted by at least two knights or one master. The only danger for the child had been the attention, not a threat of immediate harm. And…if Xanatos du Crion were a Sith Lord, perhaps Obi-Wan had never been safe to begin with, considering the man had taken the pains to travel all the way from Telos to Coruscant just to find him.
Obi-Wan had taken to sleeping in his own room after a few nights, but tonight the Jedi master was too rattled to place him out of his sights. He tucked the child in with his set of blankets before covering himself with his own. The boy was not a quiet sleeper tonight, making gurgling baby sounds every once in a while as he dreamed. He listened to the child beside him in the darkness.
He honestly could not wait until they felled whatever threatened his padawan.