Chapter Summary:
Obi-Wan observes Anakin and Cal's interactions and chats with Jaro Tapal. Until the fight, that is.
Chapter 6:
Obi-Wan Kenobi is displeased. Despite being told to wait in the hall while the Padawan went to find Master Tapal, Anakin decided it'd be fun to explore the ship instead. He should've known his Padawan's curiosity would get the better of him, but he hoped it would be different this time. Especially when on another ship.
Now, standing beside his eager Padawan, Obi-Wan huffs a loud breath. "I apologise for the intrusion, Master Tapal. My Padawan decided to run off instead of staying put like I asked." The last words are laced with criticism, one the Jedi Master hopes has breached Anakin's thick skull.
However, when he glances at him, expecting an ashamed apology, he instead finds the Padawan staring intently at a young redhead – Tapal's Padawan, no doubt. The boy is pale and small beside Tapal's bulky, standing frame. His grip on the wooden cross-guard lightsaber – interesting choice – is loose; Obi-Wan observes that the tremors in his arms are making the weapon shake. Though a Padawan usually bows to respect another Master, this one stands stock-still, staring at Anakin like he's a hungry predator and the redhead is just a tiny herbivore.
Obi-Wan watches this staring contest for a few uncertain moments, sensing how the Force in the room is thick with tension. When he turns to the other Padawan's Master, they share a look. Anakin is usually open and happy, but lately he's been a bit standoffish, often going on his own whim and ignoring Kenobi's orders. If Tapal's glance suggests anything, his Padawan is experiencing a similar issue.
"Not at all, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. We were just about to come to you." Tapal bows in greeting and places a hand on his Padawan's shoulder. It seems to snap the boy out of it, because he blinks and turns to Kenobi, bowing lower than his Master with a muttered welcome. "This is Cal Kestis, my Padawan."
Nodding, Obi-Wan follows suit. "This is my Padawan, Anakin Skywalker." With a small smirk, he tilts his head so he can see the now smug look on the teenager's face. "Though, I doubt for much longer."
The Jedi Master expects a fond smile from the boy, but only gets rolled eyes and a huffed breath. It only highlights the foul mood he's sported the last few days.
Though he wants to tell Anakin to loosen up, Obi-Wan doubts it would go down well, especially in the presence of company. So, he instead turns back to his fellow Jedi Master and their Padawan – Cal – who has taken shelter behind Tapal's tall frame. A shy one, that boy. Perhaps Anakin might help him exit his shell…though, with his simmering rage lately (it's against the Jedi Code! Dangerous!), that may end poorly.
"Why don't we go eat in the cafeteria?" Jaro Tapal suggests while his telepathy probes at his mental barrier. Letting it in, Obi-Wan is greeted with a warm, friendly essence that settles on the corner of his mind so the other Jedi Master doesn't intrude on his thoughts and feelings. "I thought it might be appropriate to talk about our Padawan's there where they're in sight." The Lasat continues, not needing to address his concern about them being alone together. After all, Obi-Wan feels the same way.
Nodding respectfully, he grabs his Padawan by the arm, a smile hiding the dark frown he wants to give his Padawan. "Yes, that sounds wonderful." Though there is some resistance, Obi-Wan forces Anakin to follow him when he turns and pulls him along.
Heading to the wall opposite of the now open training room doors, the Jedi Master turns to the Lasat. "Lead the way."
A small nod is given before the purple Jedi Master walks ahead, hands set firmly on his Padawan's shoulders so he walks in front of him. The wooden cross-guard lightsabres must have been left in the training room, for both their hands are now free.
Letting go of his Padawan's hand as they pass, Obi-Wan turns and gives Anakin a disapproving stare. "Behave." Is all he says, stressing the word, pleading, before following the other Jedi Master. That's all I ask.
"Go sit with Anakin, Cal." Tapal orders with a soft tone when they finally enter the cafeteria, pointing at the seat Obi-Wan's Padawan has strolled to. It's furthest away from the exits, hugging the corner of the ship's walls.
The distraught whirlwind of emotion that the redheaded boy emits at his Master's words would be enough to cripple a Jedi Knight. Though the white noise does not send him to his knees, Obi-Wan Kenobi is surprised nonetheless at the push in the Force around him as it responds to Cal's horror.
It's halted as quickly as it started when Jaro Tapal places a comforting hand on his Padawan's shoulder. Kenobi's had enough experience with young Padawan's to know that the Jedi Master is saying more in the privacy of their conjoined minds. Though it is not his preferred style, Obi-Wan understands that it is necessary to calm Force-Sensitives quickly – especially ones as unnaturally powerful as Cal.
Dropping his head, the boy sighs. "Yes, Master." Then he's off, dragging his feet towards Anakin's location at a miserable pace.
Both Master's watch him go for a few seconds, Obi-Wan noting how his Padawan is staring hungrily at the approaching boy. If he were to dive into the Force now, he knows he would sense the same aggressive waves snapping off the teen's soul that has been present for the last few days.
A storm of thoughts and emotions that are eerily similar to Cal's…
Slowly sitting down one of the chairs at the table closest to the doors, Kenobi squints so he can see the life force around him. It's a hurricane of blue from the redhead, a storm of grey from Anakin. There's something between them, an ancient essence that Kenobi cannot see through Cal's whirlwind. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi tries to look past his Force-
"I sense your Padawan has been unnaturally aggressive lately." Tapal starts, forcing Kenobi to blink out of his trance and focus on the Lasat sitting across from him. "Is it recent?"
Nodding, Obi-Wan wipes his brow in frustration. Disorientated from the being thrown out of the makeshift meditation, it takes him a moment to respond. "Yes. Very. Ever since I saw him a couple day's ago, he's been like this."
Chin in one of his large purple hands, Jaro Tapal hums. "It's similar to Cal." Kenobi gives him a questioning look. "He's been different since the Force Ripple, too."
That's right…I didn't see Anakin until after the Force Ripple. Could he be affected from it, too? Aloud, Obi-Wan offers more information. "Maybe Anakin knew that. He was insistent on coming here." Thinking back to five minutes before, the Jedi Master shakes his head. "And he was staring at your Padawan the whole walk here."
Lifting his head, Master Tapal leans back in his chair, closing his eyes. It squeaks in distress. "I can sense his malicious intent towards my Padawan even now. It's odd, though." Looking up at the ceiling, the Lasat frowns. "Underneath all that aggression is joy."
"Joy?" Obi-Wan exclaims, blinking. It's the first time in a while that he's been reminded that his mastery of his Force does not include many of those in the mental branch. His is far more focused on discipline, tactics, and emotional control. However, he does forget that there are those like Master Tapal who have full control of their mind and can therefore sense far more in terms of emotion than Obi-Wan.
An affirmative noise escapes the Master's throat. "It's difficult to sense, but it is there." Opening his eyes, he gives Obi-Wan a grave stare. "That type of emotion is dangerous, Master Kenobi."
Fighting the urge to sink into his seat, Kenobi sighs. "'There is no emotion, there is peace.'" He quotes, "'there is no chaos, there is harmony.'" Pinching his nose, he sighs again. It feels like he's been sighing a lot, these days. "I know. It's just…"
Difficult. Exhausting. Painful. There's too many words in his head to describe what the last few days have been like. What talking to Anakin has felt like. What happened to us? He asks himself. What made him so distant? So…angry?
The screech of a chair snaps Kenobi from his thoughts. "I'll get us some food." Master Jaro Tapal offers, moving so he's standing behind his chair. It's likely that the other Jedi sensed his troubled musings. "Is there anything you'd like in particular?"
"Ah, no, thank you. I'll have whatever you're having."
Turning, the Master walks towards the cafeteria staff. Kenobi watches him go; observes how he looks at his Padawan to see how he's doing.
Notes how he stops in his tracks, how his right hand automatically moves towards his lightsabre.
How the Force erupts behind Obi-Wan's back.
"I won't let you!" Cal screams, and Master Kenobi turns to see the boy standing, chair crashing to the floor. "Not again! Not ever again!"
And, to his amazement, the redhead dives over the table in an attempt to grab Anakin.
His Padawan Force Pushes him away, but Cal flips in mid-air and lands on the bolted metal table behind him, using the edge to propel himself back at the Chosen One. Hand raised, the younger Padawan uses the Force to grab a chair from a neighbouring table and throw it at Anakin.
That's when Obi-Wan finally moves to intercept.
Except, it's Jaro Tapal that stops everything. Hands outstretched, an eye closed, the Jedi Master uses his telekinesis to halt the fight before it escalates any further. Cal is floating in mid-air. Anakin is standing, lightsabre in hand but deactivated. The chair is an inch from Obi Wan's Padawan's head.
"Stop." The Lasat commands, looking at both Padawans before settling on Kestis, struggling against the power of his Master's telekinesis. "You're making a scene."
Except, it's not the scene he's worried about. Sure, the cafeteria staff are staring and will undoubtedly gossip, but it's more the cyclone of emotions that are seeping off the young Padawan that has their attention. Obi-Wan can sense pain, grief, and anger the strongest. But…also love, buried underneath it all.
This does not bode well. Not for a Jedi in training.
The worst thing is that Anakin started this, made the boy spiral into these forbidden emotions, and that worries Obi-Wan Kenobi most of all.
"Anakin, we're leaving." He announces, Force Pulling the teenager to his side. Turning to the other Jedi Master, Obi-Wan bows. "I apologise for my Padawan's actions, Master Tapal. He will be punished." A pause, then: "We'll talk more another time."The last sentence is pushed through the Force to the Lasat. When Jaro Tapal nods, he knows the other has received his message.
"I, too, apologise." Nothing more needs to be said. After all, they know what it's for.
Obi-Wan waits a moment, watching Tapal set the thrown chair back where it was before placing his Padawan back on the floor. There's no need for the telekinesis anymore. After all, the redhead is now a wall of fear, guilt, and grief, sitting on the floor with his head in his knees.
When Master Kenobi looks at his Padawan, the teenager is smirking. An emotion he hasn't felt in a long time rises in his gut.
There is no emotion, there is peace. He chants until it leaves. It's troubling that it took more than ten seconds.
With one last bow, Obi-Wan leaves the cafeteria, dragging his Padawan along with him.
Later, when Anakin is asleep on their ship and Obi-Wan is in the pilot seat, he worries over two things.
One: what the emergence of that dark emotion means, and,
Two: what is wrong with his Padawan.