Obi Wan's POV

His cold blue eyes assessed the Jedi master in front of him. This man was not one he was familiar with. If Obi Wan had to guess he was roughly between forty and fifty. He held himself with distinction and if Obi Wan didn't know better the boy would say the man was a lord.

Obi Wan queried his eyes colder than ice, "What can I do for you, Master?"

The man's lips twitched slightly upward in amusement as he replied, "Master Dooku. You seem to have built yourself quite a ship there. It's a fighter class ship. I'm guessing with hyperdrive capabilities."

"And fold capabilities given its origins. They are similar but not quite the same thing."

He saw the eyes widen slightly before the mask was returned. Very few people knew what it meant when one said a ship had fold capabilities. It seemed he had come across one of the rare few.

For years he accepted that remaking the fold systems would be difficult. That had been the understatement of the century. His fold system had to be scrapped and rebuilt completely.

The next part had been how to hide the ship. If the council knew what he was up to they would try go stop him. Not that it would work. He had never been one to follow the restrictions. As a pilot his place was amongst the stars.

Creating his own inlay system had taken care of the problem. It allowed the ship to shrink into the form of a watch. With the help of some members of a less guild it was created tested and put to use.

Dooku said his eyes never leaving Obi Wan's, "Walk with me, youngling."

Having no reason to refuse the master he said to Reeft and Garen, "I'll catch up with you guys later. Reeft see if you can contact Fox. He should be in a nearby system."

Reeft nodded, "Of course, Obi Wan. Be safe."

He raised a hand in answer as he followed Dooku out. Now that they were alone he could feel his inner beast reacting. Shadow beasts were extraordinarily perceptive of all races. If one wanted to judge someone before getting to know them all they had to do was listen. So he did.

Normally around someone new or not in tune with the shadow his wolf reacted violently. It was not a social butterfly that Fox was.

With this man however Lupus was relaxed. The shadows around them were softer than normal. They didn't try to snap out at the master.

To one who listened to the shadows more than to words it was a sign. This man could be trusted. To a point at least.

Dooku stopped suddenly and Obi Wan followed suit. His blue gaze hard as he assessed the Jedi master. This man was certainly different from any of the others he encountered.

The man said in a low tenor that soothed the shadows, "You are certainly a rare one, youngling. I have been coming and going for these last few years. Mostly on missions as a chief negotiator. Sometimes for something a little more. I have seen you many times in my return visits. A boy with blue grey eyes haunted by his past. Have you not seen a mind healer?"

Obi Wan replied trying hard not to shrink in on himself at the thought, "Mind healers can't help with this. It is not just the mind that is damaged but an entire being. Something ingrained into my very soul. They tried and only made things worse."

Mind healers were not his favorite in the Order. He would rather deal with the council than a single mind healer. The council annoyed him more than most.

Dooku looked curious but nothing more. Finally the man said, "It is truly interesting that you have not been picked up by a master yet. Can I ask you why?"

Obi Wan answered his eyes growing colder than before, "They can't handle me, Master Dooku. A lost soul enshrouded by shadows as some say. I will likely be returning to my place in the stars by my birthday. The council knows that my place is not within the corps. Nor could anyone there hold me for long."

Dooku let out a hum before turning on his heel and began walking again. Obi Wan had to jog to keep up with the man's long strides. He had to wonder what was up with the strange questions.

They went down the halls through the different areas of the temple. As they came through the more used areas masters and initiates alike became more abundant. Some stopped to stare at the unlikely dou.

Most knew of Obi Wan and his dislike for masters. So seeing him chase after Dooki was a strange sight. They weren't at all surprised to see him in his flight suit however. That was something he rarely left without.

For the masters seeing an initiate chase after Dooku was strange. They knew the master had been pestered by the council to take a new padawan. No one actually thought he would take one. Much less the initiate that had so many issues.

It wasn't long before they stood before the council chambers. He asked slightly out of breath, "Why are we here? They already suspect what I have been up to."

Dooku turned as he replied in a stern voice, "I have little doubt that they nag you to find a master who understands you. One who knows the terribleness of war. That knows the pain that you hide deep within your heart. I too have been nagged for years in fact. They want me to take a padawan. I did as they asked and looked for. There wasn't one who met my qualities or age range. I prefer older initiates as they are more mature than their younger counterparts. They have hardened their hearts to childish ideals. At least some of them. I still found them lacking. Until I met you."

:Me?: came his confused thoughts.

The Force rang true with the man's words. He was not lying or exaggerating his claims.

Dooku continued his stern brown eyes softening just a fraction, "I have known war and pain. I lost most of my family when I was just a boy. I started my Jedi training later than most so I still remember my family and the horrors of war that stole them from me. I cannot promise to be soft on you. That is not within my nature. Nor can I promise to take away all your pain. I can promise to help you to the best of my abilities with the pains in your heart."

This man was not making empty promises. He was simply stating that he would help to the best of his ability. Obi Wan still had one concern.

"What about flying? I have my own ship and a duty to my men if it comes down to it. Though my bars saying Lieutenant Commander I am in fact the admiral of the STFW. There is just another in my stead who handles the politics."

Thank the Force for Fox. Without him Obi Wan would be lost. There was little more he hated than politics. That was never his game.

Dooku said contemplating the issue, "I've heard to the STFW crew. A group almost entirely made up of shadow pilots. From what I hear they come and then they are gone. Never allowing themselves to take credit for saving lives. A noble ambition to be apart of. I won't stop you from flying. That would be pointless but I will teach you how to navigate politics. How to be a skilled negotiator. In these unsettled times it might just come in handy. Even should you decide not to be a padawan."

Wait, padawan? Dooku wasn't just asking about a few weeks of training. He was asking without asking for Obi Wan to be his padawan.

The boy had been hurt too many times to just assume. He had to know for sure that was what the man was asking.

As if reading his thoughts the man inquired formally, "Obi Wan Kenobi, would you do me the honor of becoming my padawan?"

For a moment it seemed if time itself had stopped around them. He had a choice to make here. Take a chance the master. Or refuse and live out the last few weeks alone here at the temple. It was not a hard decision. This was the last chance he would give the masters of the temple.

Obi Wan gave a deep bow as he replied, "I would be honored to be your padawan, Master Dooku."

There was a quirk of the man's lips as if in an attempt to smile. It seemed they both did not wear their emotions on their sleeves.