The next morning was the busiest day of the year. It was the Anniversary, and he was to follow Amidala around and be presented with awards. He abhorred this kind of thing, it was unseemly and vain to a Jedi's sensibility. It was a duty he bore well though. He was glad that he was permitted his Jedi robes for these functions.
Sabé was nearby for much of the day, but they still did not interact. Her hands were full with the many details of the Queen's protection. Obi-Wan did steal the occasional glance at her, and he still wondered how she could choose the path for the child that she had.
The Grand Parade took place in the afternoon. It was almost a reenactment of the Victory Parade two years ago. This time Sabé was in a different place of honor on the marble platform. She was holding Meira and was accompanied by an older couple, Obi-Wan presumed they were her parents. He would look sideways once in a while, very discreetly, he was sure. But once, the woman at Sabé's side returned his glimpse with a thoughtful and appraising gaze. He kept watch on the parade after that.
Sabé and Meira were enjoying the parade, waving at the Gungans marching by. At last, the VIGs (Very Important Gungans)arrived,and Meira squealed with delight to see her friend, General Jar-Jar, dismount his Kaadu and march up the steps.
"Ja-Ja," she called out. The Gungan blew her a kiss, and stuck out his tongue. This earned a bout of laughter from most of the crowd and applause from Meira.
General Binks gave a wink to Jeré, who kept her eyes straight ahead, and ignored the advance. Boss Nass gave him a toothy grin, and shook his head at Jar-Jar ever so slightly. Taking the hint, Jar-Jar took a place in line and behaved himself.
When all the honored guests had assembled, Amidala announced that the time had come to reveal the new statue.
"Jedi Kenobi, will you honor us by unveiling our new work?"
Obi-Wan nodded, and pulled on the rope that was shown to him. The covering fell away, and there was Qui-Gon. A stylized depiction, but still clearly his master. The figure was standing with arms in the typical Jedi resting pose. The huge statue seemed to radiate serenity.
Obi-Wan was stunned.
A cheer rose from the crowd.
Meira threw her hands up in the air and shouted, "Yay, Big Jeddi!" The older woman next to her said, "Yes Dear, that's a very big Jedi." Sabé turned toward the woman and nodded, the corners of her mouth upturned just slightly.
Obi-Wan was having a difficult time with the realization that his master had been made into a cultural icon. He stared at the Queen, channeling his disapproval into that gaze. Amidala was unconcerned.
As soon as the ceremony was over, the Majordomo sidled up to the Jedi and let him know he had some free time before the ball. Obi-Wan was relieved and dreaded the event that was to come. He took off into the crowd as quickly as he could. He knew it was better that he not comment on the statue right now.
He began to browse among the vendors in the square. It occurred to him that it might be a good idea to get small gifts for Sabé and Meira before he left the city. He was examining a red silk scarf when he felt a ripple in the Force. He dropped the scarf and focused to find what was causing the disturbance.
It was Sabé. She was preparing to fight.
Quickly, Obi-Wan honed in, found the path to locate her, and took off across the square.
Sabé was nearby for much of the day, but they still did not interact. Her hands were full with the many details of the Queen's protection. Obi-Wan did steal the occasional glance at her, and he still wondered how she could choose the path for the child that she had.
The Grand Parade took place in the afternoon. It was almost a reenactment of the Victory Parade two years ago. This time Sabé was in a different place of honor on the marble platform. She was holding Meira and was accompanied by an older couple, Obi-Wan presumed they were her parents. He would look sideways once in a while, very discreetly, he was sure. But once, the woman at Sabé's side returned his glimpse with a thoughtful and appraising gaze. He kept watch on the parade after that.
Sabé and Meira were enjoying the parade, waving at the Gungans marching by. At last, the VIGs (Very Important Gungans)arrived,and Meira squealed with delight to see her friend, General Jar-Jar, dismount his Kaadu and march up the steps.
"Ja-Ja," she called out. The Gungan blew her a kiss, and stuck out his tongue. This earned a bout of laughter from most of the crowd and applause from Meira.
General Binks gave a wink to Jeré, who kept her eyes straight ahead, and ignored the advance. Boss Nass gave him a toothy grin, and shook his head at Jar-Jar ever so slightly. Taking the hint, Jar-Jar took a place in line and behaved himself.
When all the honored guests had assembled, Amidala announced that the time had come to reveal the new statue.
"Jedi Kenobi, will you honor us by unveiling our new work?"
Obi-Wan nodded, and pulled on the rope that was shown to him. The covering fell away, and there was Qui-Gon. A stylized depiction, but still clearly his master. The figure was standing with arms in the typical Jedi resting pose. The huge statue seemed to radiate serenity.
Obi-Wan was stunned.
A cheer rose from the crowd.
Meira threw her hands up in the air and shouted, "Yay, Big Jeddi!" The older woman next to her said, "Yes Dear, that's a very big Jedi." Sabé turned toward the woman and nodded, the corners of her mouth upturned just slightly.
Obi-Wan was having a difficult time with the realization that his master had been made into a cultural icon. He stared at the Queen, channeling his disapproval into that gaze. Amidala was unconcerned.
As soon as the ceremony was over, the Majordomo sidled up to the Jedi and let him know he had some free time before the ball. Obi-Wan was relieved and dreaded the event that was to come. He took off into the crowd as quickly as he could. He knew it was better that he not comment on the statue right now.
He began to browse among the vendors in the square. It occurred to him that it might be a good idea to get small gifts for Sabé and Meira before he left the city. He was examining a red silk scarf when he felt a ripple in the Force. He dropped the scarf and focused to find what was causing the disturbance.
It was Sabé. She was preparing to fight.
Quickly, Obi-Wan honed in, found the path to locate her, and took off across the square.