Chapter Title: The Birth of Ben
Series Title: Turn the Page
Chapter Summary: Preparing for an upcoming undercover mission, Obi-Wan contends with his new name.
"Ben, Master?"
"Ben."
"It's very plain. Boring even."
"You seek excitement, Obi-Wan? You see how often that got you in trouble during your first two years as an apprentice."
"It did, but I'm not seeking excitement, only a more adventurous undercover name. Ben Kenobi. Shouldn't I change my last name too?"
"They don't need to know our last names. We will go by first names only. We'll need to shed our robes as well. Long-coats are the norm in their capital city. Enough cover to conceal lightsabers. Holstered blasters are not rare, so if anyone sees something, they'll assume we are carrying such a weapon. If they are not assuming correctly, we can always assist them in assuming."
Qui-Gon's mouth quirked upward in a small smile as his right hand flashed magically in the air, indicating an if-needed Force gesture.
Obi-Wan stared at him, "Ben" still playing on his mind.
"Master. About this Ben thing. Can't we consider something different?"
"We cannot. It's simple and easy to remember. And you are so annoyed by it already, you won't forget to respond when someone calls you Ben."
The boy sighed heavily, fiddling with his belt and shrugging out of his Jedi robe as he tossed it lazily to the side where it landed on a chair before sliding sloppily to the floor.
A brisk but meaningful throat cleaning from Jinn immediately moved the young Jedi to retrieve the robe, fold it neatly and place it respectfully in it's place.
"Better. Bored, irritated and lazy? Perhaps not your best morning, Padawan."
"Sorry, Master. I didn't sleep well last night."
"You were up late watching the star races."
Mouth falling open that Qui-Gon knew the truth, Obi-Wan stuttered out,
"H-how? You knew?"
"I know all, Obi-Wan."
"Master."
"I know enough. Also, you kept relaying your excitement into the Force and into our bond. It slammed against my thoughts several times as I slept."
"Oh," head down, lowering. "Sorry. The races were very exciting though. And I swear I didn't bet on them. Your... appreciation for the gambling arts hasn't yet rubbed off on me."
"Keep it that way, Padawan. Are you ready?"
"I am." They headed toward the door when Obi-Wan halted. "Wait. If I am Boring Ben, who are you?"
"I have decided on Quin."
Younger eyes met older as Obi-Wan stared blankly at his teacher. "Quin? That's practically your name."
"I beg to differ. It's quite not my name."
"Spell it."
"What?"
"Spell your name."
"I am not spelling my name."
"You know how close it is to your real name. Master, this is not..."
"Fair?"
"Well..."
"Obi-Wan, you are not four. Fairness is not a part of your life and has not been for quite sometime. You wouldn't be... jealous of my newly assumed name, would you? Jealously would be very unJedi like, you know that."
Long-coat shrugged on over his shoulders and those shoulders straight, Obi-Wan stood tall. "No, Master. No jealousy. I do believe I am better than that."
"You are."
"All right. I'm ready then. Quin."
"Ah, not so difficult is it?" Qui-Gon patted the boy on the back. "Ben?"
"Yes. Ben. Fine. I can do this."
"That's what I want to hear."
The big Jedi took his own long-coat from his apprentice and pulled it on. Both coats fell to just above the knees. Qui-Gon released his long hair from the tie to let it hang on his shoulders.
"Do I look like a Quin now?"
Eyebrows raised, Obi-Wan smirked. "You look unnatural in that coat, Master. I think it's a little small for you in the chest."
There was a subconscious effort to adjust his torso but Qui-Gon felt comfortable enough.
"You do look like a Ben," the big man replied, reaching over to straighten the wrap on Obi-Wan's head. "The head wrap isn't quite as becoming, but we need a way to disguise your braid and short hair, and a regular cap would not suffice. This particular patterned wrap marks you as a pilot for an ancient defunct military group." Qui-Gon secured the braid under cover as best he could. "Not bad. Ben."
"Master."
"Quin. Get 'master' out of your head. That slips out and our cover is blown."
"Yes, Mast... damn it. And this wrap itches."
"Stop scratching. Your braid... Obi-Wan, enough. Put your hand down."
Qui-Gon shoved the braid under the head covering again.
"Ugh, we need to finish this mission quickly. And why did you call me Obi-Wan? I thought I was Ben."
"I needed you to listen and obey. You don't respond to Ben. You need to, starting now." With swift motion, Qui-Gon pushed the boy's hand away from his head once more, pinning it to his side, before cupping the young face in his own palms and eyeing the boy. "You will do fine. Settle down. Find your focus. You center on your anxieties and you'll have us both running for our lives. Deep breaths, Padawan."
Obi-Wan listened and obeyed. Long moments passed. His chest contracted and expanded and Qui-Gon felt the tension ease.
"Better. Good. This can't happen once we step out those doors. It's neither the name nor the head wrap that bothers you. It's the mission. It will be difficult and dangerous and we will see things that upset us and anger us. But we must remain focused, stay on task and keep in character. If we get downtime alone, we can meditate and talk, but eyes will be on us. Eyes will be everywhere."
Obi-Wan squared his shoulders. "I understand... Quin. I will not let you down."
"You rarely do, Padawan."
"Ben."
"Right. Ben. If we have everything then..."
"I am ready."
With a supporting hand on the boy's shoulder, Qui-Gon pushed a deep breath into the Force, tapped the yellow button on the door panel, watched the ramp unfold and lower... and the Jedi team stepped out into the unknown.
END
