Prompt from Person With a cool name: Would've you perhaps consider some more of Mace taking on Obi Wan? Maybe some of their earlier interactions?
I honestly had to read this story back to remind myself when I had Mace take over Obi-Wan's apprenticeship :P
…
Mace would never admit it, but he'd been nervous all day, settling into his seat and taking a deep calming breath. He'd left Obi-Wan in the Padawan changing rooms not long before, giving him some final words of advice, before leaving.
Obi-Wan looked stunned by his presence… like Qui-Gon had never told him, that it was okay if he didn't win. That mistakes were allowed.
"Nervous, you are." Master Yoda stated beside him, "Unusual, this is."
Mace blinked, slightly surprised by the statement, before sighing wearily. "These are our first training matches as Master and Padawan. I am concerned that many will treat him differently because of what Qui-Gon did, or for his use of Form Seven."
The transference of apprenticeship had been a secretive affair… which of course meant that the whole Temple knew about it.
Master Yoda smiled, "Fine, he will be. Ready, he is."
"It's just… I've only been teaching him for a few months. What if- "
"Ready, he is." Yoda stated again firmly, "Different, being up here, it is."
As the matches were opened, Mace leaned forward in anticipation, smiling proudly at Obi-Wan's form. Form 7 was clearly meant for him, as senior padawan after senior padawan yielded.
He was half the size of some of them, and still, he didn't seem to be breaking a sweat.
When it was all over, and said and done, Mace made his way down to the waiting rooms, where all the padawans' where gathered. As soon as Obi-Wan spotted him, he made his way over, a pleased flush on his face.
"How do you feel?" Mace asked gently, spotting Anakin race past the senior padawan rooms, probably preparing for his own matches.
"I feel… strange." Obi-Wan confessed, following his Master out of the room, "I've never felt like this after a match."
"This is the first-time using Form 7 in front of everyone. Some uneasiness is to be expected." Mace glanced over, "I am very… proud of you though. Your form was excellent, and your attitude was something to be respected."
He knew Obi-Wan felt like he had a lot to prove, having been abandoned or 'cast aside' as everyone believed. However, this didn't show, as Obi-Wan moved through the matches like he hadn't heard the rumours.
Obi-Wan smiled shyly, looking at the floor. "Thank you Master Windu." He whispered.
As they headed out of the room, Mace ended up meeting Qui-Gon's gaze, unable to stop the sly smirk.
That's right Qui-Gon…. Obi-Wan didn't need you anymore.
