The Kenobi Underground
Part VII
Too Attached
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Cynn lingered over the banister, eyes unfocused as she waited for Lore to show. When she finally did, Cynn let out a long breath and shook her head, "He doesn't know about the society. All he knows is that he's liked."
Lore was quiet for a long moment before answering, "That didn't take you long at all. How do you know for sure?"
"I just do. What he's playing at is simply responding to some datapad he'd found with some flowery notes on it."
They both stood there, watching the lights intensify as night fell over Coruscant. Lore knew the threat that was impending, knew that the High Okew, at this very moment, was informing the council of it all, "Kenobi's in danger."
Cynn perked mildly at that, "How so?"
"Seems there's a group of people looking to kidnap him. The High Okew has information on it, and the Council is being wisened of the matter as we speak."
"Do you know why they want to kidnap him?"
"Qui-Gon would be the one to ask. No one else knows."
"Kenobi can take care of himself," Cynn offered before pushing from the railing and walking toward the archway. She was sure of her words, but felt uneasy at the situation nonetheless.
He was just another padawan, like everyone else, just as important to her as everyone else. Just as important to the Temple, that is.
"We all know that," Lore followed quietly, "That's just a small part of why we admire him."
If Cynn was using her eyes, she didn't give any indication. No one knew about her slip up with Kenobi, though that'd been choice. The last time she did so was during the training matches two years prior. That she did not want to miss. But, now, it seemed something in her had been triggered and she actually gave Lore a very dry, smirkish look that made her companion's brows duck together in confusion.
"I'm sure that's... just a small part."
------
"This sounds like Tertura Heidn. They gave my padawan trouble before we left."
"What would their motive be?"
"They believed he was the one that is spoken of in their ancient texts of one who will bring light into their world through beauty and rennaissance, saving them from the darkness of possible self-annihalation."
"Why would they think that?"
"I'm not sure."
"It's because of his presence in the Force," the padawan spoke up, the one who'd claimed to be the leader of a secret organization centered around Obi-Wan.
"But the Tertura are not Force sensitive," Windu pointed out.
"Kenobi transcends that," the High Okew countered, confidence reborne on familiar ground.
"Are these particular Heidn's dangerous?"
"They will not stop at anything if they truly believe Kenobi is the one."
"Then we must go directly to the Tertura Heidn government and convince them."
"Easier said than done. They've little government left. Those with morals and laws are governed by their personal religion."
"What will they do with him?"
"Set him up as a god, learn from him, though we cannot have that."
"The solution is simple, then."
Everyone in the room look to the High Okew who stood meekly before continuing, "We give them Kenobi. We let him explain to them what needs to be explained."
There was silence, a few nods and several unsure glances. It did sound easy enough. Qui-Gon sat skeptical. It was never that easy.
"Let us disuade all of this secrecy and invite the Heidnes here. Let Kenobi speak to them, and if it's necessary, to the people through some sort of comlink."
"Solution, this may be. Risk, there is none that I foresee. Any who reject?" There was barely a pause before Yoda continued, "Then Kenobi and Heidnes we will intervene."
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"'The Okew and the organization thereof including any who knew of their existance and did not concede knowledge to Temple Authority are hereby suspended to one revolution of mediation and base duty'? That's bound to be half the Temple, including the Temple Authority... 'excluding Special Forces branches who have been recalled for alternate assignments'," Lore's thumb grazed the digiscreen as she lowered it to her side, "You got off easy. What's the 'alternate assignment'?"
Cynn tightened the strap on her possessions carrier as she gave a minute shrug and hefted the sachel to her shoulder, "A tour in Tertura and her sister planets."
"Sounds fun. Listen, Cynn, I wanna thank you for what you did, and even though the Okews are dissolved, I know everyone else appreciated you."
"I'll admit, Lore, only now. You people were onto something with Kenobi."
Lore's magenta eyes lit up, "Thank you. We thought so. Keep in touch?"
"You know I won't," Cynn gave up a grin and clasped Lore's right shoulder with a friendly squeeze, "Stay well."
Minutes later, walking down the relatively busy corridor toward Special Forces departure, Cynn's neck prickled as she felt Obi-Wan approach from behind. She doubled her sight blocks and paused for him, "Obi-Wan... I figured I'd just escaped your wrath."
"Wrath, Cynn?" Kenobi smirked as he came to a stop before her, "Can I carry that for you?"
"Whaddya come here for, Obi?"
The padawan broke into a smile, she could feel it, "I came to see you off. I just came back from the Council. They did this official acknowledgment ceremony."
"Sounds exciting."
"Boring actually."
"How surprising."
"You'll be missed around here. I heard you're to be gone quite some time."
"I asked for an extended tour. I'm getting too attached to this place."
"Understandably so. Well, I'll let you go then. I was on my way t-"
"Okay. I'll see you 'round."
"Right. We should pick up where we left off when you get back."
"If you're still here."
"I will be. I'll be a Jedi Knight, but I'll be here."
"Don't get your hopes up."
Kenobi laughed and gave a short nod, "Thanks, Cynn. Take care."
"You, too, Obi."
He stared at her unfocused eyes, never once having locked onto him and felt something tug at his stomach: weird attachment, not unlike friendship, and the loss thereof.
"Goodbye, Obi-Wan Kenobi," she gave a curt bow.
"Goodbye, Cynn..." but he never got the chance to bow. She was already walking away.
Too attached, she scolded as she felt her heart condense, retreating from a friendship that had barely begun.