Thank you, MacGordon93!
Chapter 2 - Destruction
Obi-Wan was screwed, he knew that. Knew that as soon as he glanced at his friends' consternation and the others' outraged expression.
He broke into a run as soon as he was out of sight of the dojo.
He didn't know where to go, but he wasn't surprised when he ended up at Master Tholme and Quinlan Vos's rooms. Master Tholme wasn't there, but Quin was.
Obi-Wan let himself in, but knocked on the door to Quin's room.
They had been so close when they were young, but even though they became friends later in life, Obi-Wan knew there was a distance between them now.
But if Quin just listened…
The door opened, Quin's arms were crossed and he looked grumpy.
A brooding teen.
"Quin, I-"
"Go away, Obi-Wan," Quin said in greeting.
Obi-Wan swallowed hard, "Quin, please, I just want to talk-"
Quin shook his head, "Leave me alone." He stepped back and closed the doors in Obi-Wan's face.
Frustration and humiliation burned in Obi-Wan's heart.
To see the Temple at peace was a gift, but it wasn't until this moment did Obi-Wan realize how alone he was. Bant nor Garen nor Reeft would understand. Not only would Siri not understand but she currently hated him, and his one connection, his one friend who was mature enough to understand was too busy drowning himself in self-pity to talk to him, much less touch him.
Which was purely teenage selfishness, because even at this age Obi-Wan had had strong enough shields to protect Quin from his own gifts.
Blinking back tears, Obi-Wan went to the stash where Master Tholme kept Quin's allowance.
Obi-Wan would be there for Quin when the time came, and if Quin didn't want to do the same in turn, the least he could do was spare a few pocket credits.
After taking in a deep breath, Obi-Wan booked it out of the Temple.
Rumours were swift things in the Temple, and Obi-Wan didn't want to be there when the news sank in.
Not as alone as he was.
Qui-Gon realized quickly that Obi-Wan wouldn't be easy to find, so instead, he and Tahl went to Mace's suite, where they found him sitting with Depa having tea.
Depa rose to get them more tea.
Mace eyed him, "What is it?"
Qui-Gon shook his head and pulled out his holo-com. He opened a channel to Dooku's frequency before resting it on the table.
-Qui-Gon, this is a surprise. The image of the austere man looked around at the others. -Master Windu, Knight Depa, and Master Tahl, am I to anticipate ill news?
Mace shrugged, "Not to my knowledge." Then said pointedly, "I was enjoying my day off."
Qui-Gon smiled, "Tahl and I went to the Initiate Presentations."
Both Mace and Dooku had the same expression of astonishment, their eyebrows shooting upwards.
Dooku drawled, -I thought you vowed not to take another Padawan Learner and Master Tahl has never expressed any interest in becoming a teacher.
"Someone caught my attention," Qui-Gon said mildly.
"Who?" Mace asked, curiously.
"Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi," Tahl said with a fond smile.
Mace's lips twitched, "He's one of Yoda's favourites."
"So I learned," Qui-Gon said. "The Grandmaster asked Obi-Wan to be his next Padawan learner."
Mace, Dooku, and Depa's expressions fell.
"I'm sorry, my friend," Mace said sincerely.
Qui-Gon smiled, "He said no."
-What? Dooku said, voice harsh with shock.
Tahl laughed.
Qui-Gon repeated, "Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi told Yoda no."
Depa whistled softly.
Mace looked confused, "An Initiate turned down an apprenticeship… that hasn't happened in centuries."
Dooku shook his head, -No one has ever turned down an apprenticeship with Master Yoda. Are you certain?
"I was there," Qui-Gon said. "Obi-Wan was gracious about it. He said no twice and thanked the Grandmaster for his consideration."
There was a long silence.
Mace put down his tea, "That's a first."
-Brave, it was brave. Dooku said with an uncommon note of awe in his voice. I myself had reservations about being trained by Yoda, but I would never have dreamed of not accepting his offer.
That bit of information surprised Qui-Gon, more so because Qui-Gon had had reservations about Master Dooku as well, though he too, would never have refused a Padawanship with him.
At the time, Dooku had been the duelling champion, and perhaps he still was.
"Why?" Depa asked.
Tahl shook her head, "We don't know, he seemed rather embarrassed and ran out."
"Wise," Mace said. "Many will be upset with him, especially if he doesn't immediately choose to join one of the Corps. I should speak with Cin."
-I will speak with him. Dooku offered, -You may outrank him, but he is still your senior.
Dooku was Yoda's oldest living apprentice, Mace was Yoda's youngest, Cin and Ki-Adi Mundi were in the middle.
Mace rubbed his temples, "I don't suppose you would be willing to speak with Ki-Adi Mundi as well?"
Dooku's scowl intensified, -You think he would deign to talk to the boy?
"He's teaching this year's course on Intergalactic Diplomacy, and he's already failing Obi-Wan," Mace said.
"How?" Depa asked. "His classes are dry but his essays aren't difficult so long as you take notes or get notes from someone else."
"Initiate Kenobi has taken it upon himself to look for outside sources. Jocasta is rather fond of him. Nothing he has cited has been non-factual, perhaps with a bit more opinion than strictly called for, however, they are fine papers. I actually enjoyed reading them, but they all challenged Ki-Adi's view of what the extent of a Jedi's mandate should be."
Dooku scoffed, -Good. His policies are dismal. I swear he was only appointed to the Council to be your foil. Yoda is overly enamored with debate.
This was perhaps an understatement. Qui-Gon, like Depa, had a unique understanding of their Grandmaster. Qui-Gon more so, perhaps, than Depa. Where Mace often acquiesced to Yoda, Dooku almost always challenged his Master.
Yoda was a contradictory creature, who both demanded obedience and rebellion, leaving most trying to catch up to wisdom that was either completely non-relevant or patronizingly accurate.
The only thing his Padawans had in common was their stubbornness. Dooku, Cin, and Mace were the Order's finest duelist's but Ki-Adi... wasn't really Yoda's choice. Like Feemor, Ki-Adi's first Master had been killed when he was a Senior Padawan and not quite ready for his Knightship.
Qui-Gon could see how Obi-Wan would have fit in well with Dooku, Cin, and Mace. He dearly wished to know why the boy had refused Yoda's offer.
Mace continued, "Ki-Adi already tried to take disciplinary action, Master Ali-Alann requested my presence to mediate. I don't know that Obi-Wan will be able to get along in his classes with the additional distractions."
"Until we know why he turned Yoda down, I don't know that there is much you could do," Tahl said.
-True enough, Dooku agreed with a sigh.
"How is Komari?" Qui-Gon asked.
Dooku grimaced and seemed to look around the room he was in before answering, -Truthfully, I don't think I will be able to recommend her for Knighthood. I thought her temperament would even out, but she grows more rash, more arrogant by the day. I was hoping to recommend her for the ExplorCorps, but I don't know that she would stomach the slight.
Sympathy moved Qui-Gon, it had been many years since they had truly confided in one another. But Xanatos had taught Qui-Gon this lesson well, "I am sorry, Master."
Dooku sighed, -I wish you luck in your request to Initiate Kenobi, it seems he would be a fine match for you.
"And if he turns you down," Depa said with a smile. "It will hardly make any ripples."
Dooku's voice was grave as he said -For his sake, Qui-Gon, ask him sooner rather than later. The more I think upon it, the more dire I believe the situation will be for the youngling. While Yoda himself is likely amused more than offended, all know Yoda, most love him. He represents the Order and our history; it does not bode well for anyone who might disrespect that. Our people are not so removed from our emotions as we like to tell ourselves.
Qui-Gon nodded, "I will."
Dex's Diner was as fantastic as it ever was.
The smell of the food convinced even his confused head that, yes, he was hungry.
Starving, in fact.
Having been near fasting for months, he forced himself to eat slowly.
Dex himself came over two hours later with an extra basket of sweet and spicy fries and another chocolate smoothie.
Obi-Wan almost whimpered as he said mournfully, "I'm sorry but I don't have enough credits for more."
Dex waved one of his free hands as he placed the food and drink down, whisking away the empty glass and plate to a passing waiter as he sat.
"On the house," Dex boomed. "Jedi are always honoured guests here. I'm Dex."
Obi-Wan smiled, "Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi, and thank you." He picked up a single fry and forced himself to take small bites.
Dex laughed, "An initiate, huh? Well, I think you may be one of my youngest Jedi patrons then. Also the most polite, I don't think I've ever seen anyone admire my cookin' as much as you, little Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan swallowed, and considering all the secrets he had been keeping lately, he said truthfully, "I've been having issues eating lately. I'm always hungry but the idea of food is… gross. It smells good here though and your food is amazing. At the Temple, because of all the species we serve, there's always some odd scents going around."
Compassion shown in Dex's eyes, reminding Obi-Wan why they had been friends for so long. "Well you're welcome any time. But I will charge ya."
Obi-Wan raised a brow, knowing the Besalisk was teasing him.
Dex laughed, "Ah, a sharp one then. But gossip is my trade, little wise one."
Obi-Wan sipped from the milkshake, his stomach was going to hate him tomorrow, but he hadn't really eaten as much food as he wanted to and was eating as slowly as he had been… it could be worse.
"Do you know who Master Yoda is?"
"Course," Dex said. "Little green fellow, never had the honour of meeting him, but he's the Grandmaster, isn't he?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "He asked me to be his Padawan today."
Dex grinned, "Congratulations then."
Obi-Wan shook his head, "I told him no."
Dex's brows shot up, "That's no small thing? Why not if I may ask?"
Obi-Wan sighed, "I wanted someone else to ask me."
Dex laughed, "Oh, you're a brave one too. Hmm… Best to keep an eye on you." He stood, "Stay as long as you like, and come get me when you're done. I'll give you some credits for a cab. I've been lectured by Masters bout letting Padawans stay too late, I don't want to take any chances with a youngling."
Obi-Wan bowed his head, "Thank you again, Mister Dex."
Dex snorted, "Dex is fine. It was nice to meet you, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan kept up his slow eating so that the sun was indeed setting as he walked round back to the kitchen with his empty glass of bubbly water that had helped settle his stomach and keep down what he had eaten.
Dex ruffled his hair, "The cab will take you to the steps."
"Thank you again, Dex," Obi-Wan said.
When Obi-Wan returned to the Temple, he went straight to the archives.
Yoda's offer had shaken a memory loose as he thought over all of Yoda's other Padawans.
Dooku was still a Jedi Master.
Dooku still had a Padawan of his own.
Komari Vosa.
Vosa who joined a Dark Sider cult.
The Bando Gora, and Obi-Wan didn't find much on them, but he found their roots.
The Sith were not the only source of misfortune in the galaxy.
In this case, it was the Jedi who had spawned this particular evil.
A group of children from Jedi Corpsmembers who were not powerful enough to be taken into the Knights program, had attempted to strike out on their own. They had also begun as 'Grey Jedi.'
Funny how many Force users thought they could use the Dark Side without consequence.
The only ones truly able to walk that line between Dark and Light and not lose themselves were Mace who walked that line so strictly he appeared more orthodox than Yoda.
Though he wasn't in the company of those he feared influencing, Mace enjoyed pushing limits, challenging his mind and physical strength.
Dooku had done the same once, but he had failed.
Qui-Gon had not.
Qui-Gon danced with darkness in a way that Mace would never dare. It wasn't until Qui-Gon had been gone for years until Obi-Wan realized the reason for his lack of verbal instruction.
What Qui-Gon did could not be instructed without being misconstrued. He spoke in riddles because the Living Force was a tide, a riptide, something that ebbed and flowed that was both light and dark but rarely in equal measure.
It was something that could be discussed, not taught because it needed to be felt and learned for oneself.
Obi-Wan had lost the chance to discuss his experienced understanding of the Living Force and how it might relate to one's approach to the Cosmic Force.
Now that the Force had brought him back, allowed him this second chance, he could hope that even if Qui-Gon didn't choose him as a Padawan, that they would have plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate.
Sifo-Dyas paced back and forth, back and forth, "It grows worse, Master. I won't be able to hide this forever."
Master Jocasta Nu poured him tea, "Set your mind at ease, you are only growing stronger. The Force becomes more opaque and yet your visions grow in frequency."
Sifo-Dyas spun on her, "They grow in contradiction. I see war on the Outer Rim, and I see destruction from within. I see smiles, I see tears, I see the Temple in flames."
"The Jedi are waning," Jocasta said. "And unless we are to grow then we will fail as a people."
Sifo-Dyas shook his head, "Something has changed. I fear I am no longer alone."
Jocasta went still, "What do you mean?"
He closed his eyes, "I am not the only one who sees."
Jocasta said nothing.
Sifo-Dyas covered his face with his hands and despite his Master's presence, there was no peace.
AN: Thoughts, ideas, elephants, or feedback, pretty please?