Obi-wan stowed his pack in the small room that would be his for the duration of the journey. He then decided that he had best take a few moments to re-center himself. He was totally out of synch with himself. Going before the Queen with Master Jinn would be hard enough. He didn't need to have his emotions fluctuating all over the spectrum. Even if no one else would feel the fluctuations. It just was more trouble than it was worth to try and function that way. It would be far simpler in the long run to juts take the moment he needed. So he settled himself down in the middle of his quarters and released his worry into the force.
And while he was at it he decided to do a touch of light meditation. He was sure he would be alerted when he was to meet the Queen in her audience chamber. Not only would the meditation let him relax more, it would also put him in touch with the force. If there was anything the force wanted him to see before he spoke to the Queen it would show it to him. With a sigh of relief he allowed him self to drift off into the light meditation.
Some time later the chime rang to his rooms. "Come in!" He looked up expectantly. He knew who it was. He had know a good 5 minutes before Qui-gon had actually been able to make himself ring the chime. The door slid open and there, as expected, stood Qui-gon. He looked down at Obi-wan. "This is not an appropriate time for meditations." It was said in his best I am your Master and I know what is the best course of action' voice. And while Qui-gon was still technically his master, Obi-wan had been Yoda's and Mace's Padawan in all but name for the past 10 years. So the stern voice didn't faze him at all. And this was reflected in the answer he gave. "Actually Master Jinn, It is. While it would not be appropriate for me to enter a deep meditation, a light one such as I did, is exactly what I needed to do. It allowed me to center myself and open myself to any visions the force felt like sharing. This was I would not be bombarded by one at an inopportune moment while having the audience with the Queen." While this was said firmly and with out fear, it was not said with disrespect. It was the tone of a knight speaking to an equal. And this shocked Qui-gon. It was another forcible reminder that this was not the frightened traumatized child he had left behind 10 years ago. This was a Senior Padawan, trained by Master's Windu and Yoda, that was on the verge of his Knighthood. He obviously was comfortable with himself and his abilities. And Qui-gon mourned the loss of the bright innocent boy that he had taken his apprentice so long ago.
Obi-wan stood and grabbed his robe from the bed where he had tossed it on entering the cabin. He shrugged it on, not unaware of the odd stare he was getting from Qui-gon. He looked at him and when Qui-gon made no move as to speak Obi-wan took the inattentive. "Well do we have an audience?" Qui-gon started out of his musings. "Oh !Yes. The queen wants to meet you. She knows me but want's to get to know you as the unknown quantity." Obi-wan nodded. "That makes sense. It would be better for her to trust me than just trust you. Things could be difficult when we get separated." Qui-gon looked at him curiously. "You mean if we get separated....right?" Obi-wan looked up at the taller Jedi. "Yes. Of course. If we get separated." He then turned and walked down the hallway. Qui-gon followed but with a thoughtful look on his face.
They entered the Queen's audience chamber and bowed to her in unison. She spoke first. "Master Jedi, who is your accomplice?" Qui-gon looked at Obi-wan for a moment before speaking. "This is Obi-wan Kenobi, your Highness" She looked at him for a moment. "And what rank does he hold?" Obi-wan spoke up at that. "I am a Jedi Padawan, your Highness." She looked at him a moment before motioning for more information. "And what exactly is a Jedi Padawan?" Obi-wan looked her in the eye for a moment before flicking his eyes away. "A Jedi Padawan, is an apprentice. I am learning the ways of the force from my Master" The queen looked calm, although one of the handmaidens was unable to keep her displeasure from her face. The Queen spoke up again, her head dress and makeup making it very hard to see if she had any misgivings or not. "Well then who is your Master? And why were you chosen to accompany Master Jinn?" Obi-wan's eyes flicked over the handmaidens, lingering for a moment on the one who had reacted to his statement. "I have had the pleasure of being trained for the last 10 years by Master Yoda. And I was sent because of my unique ability with the Unifying Force. I balance Master Jinn, who is uncommonly strong in the Living Force." The Queen nodded. You may leave. I would like a moment of Master Jinn's time please." Both Jedi nodded and Obi-wan bowed before leaving.
When the Queen had asked who Obi-wan's Master was Qui-gon had winced internally, wondering how Obi-wan would handle such a delicate question. The reply had been a smack in the face. While he hadn't expected Obi-wan to name him as his Master it had still hurt to hear Yoda named. And thankfully Obi-wan had been able to do so without lying. Yoda had been training him for the last 10 years. He snapped back to the conversation as Obi-wan continued speaking and was slightly surprised at the reason Obi-wan gave as to his choice. He was even more surprised when the Queen asked him to stay. He watched Obi-wan leave and then turned to the Queen. He wondered what in skies she could want from him.
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