"Good. Now sit here and cross your legs; rest your hands overtop your kneecaps." I did as Master Obi-Wan Kenobi instructed. He was teaching me how to listen intimately to the Force, which of course wasn't working. Try as hard as I might, I just couldn't figure it out. Lucky for me, Mando and Kuiil were fast asleep, letting me have this training time with Master. I shut my eyes, doing everything possible to still my mind and hear the Force; in reality I wouldn't audibly hear it until we crash landed on that frozen planet months later.
Master Obi-Wan's Force Ghost trailed along the rock I was currently sitting on; his hands were clasped behind his back. "Concentrate…. Concentrate," he sighed in a soothing tone. My eyes winced together as I tried really, really hard to hear absolutely anything. No surprise- nothing. I don't think Master was overly shocked when my lips let out a disappointed sigh and my eyes finally reopened.
I looked to one of the beloved men who raised me. "I'm sorry, Master Obi-Wan; I'm trying…" "I know you are, child; I know you are," he didn't sound as dissatisfied as I thought he would. My wrists relaxed a little in defeat. "What am I doing wrong? I can heal wounds, lift things, and throw myself in the air, but I still can't hear anything. Why can't I? I don't get it…. What am I doing wrong?" I peered out into space thoughtfully.
Master said nothing, simply watching me for a moment. Then his lovely old head shook. "The Force will speak to you as it will, Saoirse. It is up to you to listen to it." "I want to! I just… don't know how." "Fear not- it will come to you in time." "Are you sure?" I blinked to him a tad hopefully. Master Obi-Wan smiled and came over to put his gentle hand on my shoulder. "Yes, Saoirse; yes, I am. The Force is strong with you- very strong." My eyes wandered out aimlessly for a second as I digested what Master had just told me. "But… What does that even mean exactly? I know I have a high midi-chlorian count, but… I mean, how strong can the Force really be with me if I can't hear it? Shouldn't it…. I don't know, reach out to me somehow? Assuming the Force wants to communicate with me at all! I just don't understand how I can be so strongly linked to something I can't hear….." My head fell downwards at this last part.
He waited another second before saying anything; Master gave my shoulder a loving squeeze. "Do you know why Master Obi-Gon, Master Yoda, and I came to you, child? Cared for you and trained you since birth?" "Because Master Obi-Gon is my great uncle?" I posited. He shook his head in reply. I blinked up to him startled and confused. His grin deepened. "We have all become one with the Force in life before death. This is the way of the Jedi….. And our connection is with the light side of the Force- that is why our individual spirits were able to survive after death. You are not a Jedi, and you need not be for the Force to speak through you." "The Force speaks through me?" I'd never heard this before. I didn't even know it could do that!
Master Obi-Wan continued. "It shines through you, may be a better way to put it. Some are born with a stronger connection to the light side, and some the dark side." "And I have a connection with the light side?" I asked, utterly and profoundly perplexed. Master smiled at me in a way I'd never seen before. "You are the light side, Saoirse."
My eyes grew giant and my mouth didn't dare open; I must have looked lost because Master shook his head again. "You are the living embodiment of peace and passivity. That's why you took a vow never to harm another. That is what the Force requires of you, and in turn it shines through you, like a candle," his hand squeezed my skin again. "Master….." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Always remember, Saoirse: you are a servant of the Force. You must always do its bidding. Follow it, and it will never lead you astray. You are a light which draws others in and guides the way through the darkness." "W-What do you mean?" "Those who are Force-sensitive or have come into contact with Force-sensitive beings will feel your energy. They will desire you and your strong connection with the Force, for good or evil." "Master," my lips parted a sliver. "You are like a flame drawing moths to it. You must be mindful, child, and trust in the Force. Always trust in the Force. You may not understand it at the time, but it will always guide you on the right path."
I thought for a moment. "But Master Obi-Wan, Master Yoda said that the Force must be brought into balance. It needs both the light and dark side to be harmonious. How can this be the case if I'm only connected to the light side? Wouldn't that counter-balance the dark side too much?" That's when Master's grin began to fade. I saw a twinge of sadness in his eyes just then; and he still didn't take his hand off me. "There's been enough darkness these past few decades," was all he said. Master…. My eyes lowered onto him. I don't know what he was talking about but if the Force saw fit to give birth to child in tune with the light side, then far be it for me to question it any further. My hand stretched out to rest on top of Master's arm. His eyes drew back to me and his smile reappeared. Our gazes locked onto each other's. "Follow the light side of the Force, Saoirse. Those strong with it will seek you out, and will serve and protect you. That is why we are here; that is why we three Jedi came to you. It is the Force's will that you should live and thrive…..
And look at you. You have so much meaning."
Mando's fist pounded on the metal door. It opened and revealed the happy couple inside. I ran with arms wide open to frog lady; she caught me in an embrace. Her husband also looked happy to see us, squeaking excitedly. Mando, on the other hand, not so much….
"Something's come up. Can Saoirse stay with you for a bit?" They both nodded. I notice their eggs hadn't hatched yet. "Thanks," Mando told them before glancing back at me. "I'll be back soon. Stay here and don't open the door for anyone." "Ok. Please be careful," my hand tightly hugged his. "I will," with that, he took off. I waved goodbye until he was out the door and turned back to the frog couple and their adorable unhatched offspring. If I had known what would have followed that night, I would have onto my husband a lot tighter and a lot longer.
Hopefully his adventure was a lot less perilous than the one I was about to on.