Obi-Wan laughed as he watched his Master run around the kitchen in a vain attempt to save the Malarryan casserole he had made. Unfortunately, he was too late and part of the casserole was completely ruined.
"I'm sorry about this Obi-Wan. It appears the first meal I cook without the assisstance of my Padawan, I ruin!" He laughs now, realizing the irony of this situation.
Smiling, the young Knight replied, "It APPEARS you can't live without me Qui-Gon!" He ducked when the kitchen towel came flying at his head.
Suddenly there was a buzzing from the door. "Oh...that must be my guest." Qui-Gon murmured. "Let me go see."
Obi-Wan looked at him oddly. "Guest? Who else did you invite to dinner?" He was genuinely confused. None of Qui-Gon's friends were at the Temple currently. So unless Master Windu or Master Yoda were coming...who could this newcomer be?
He was surprised when Qui-Gon returned with a young initiate. She looked about 12 or 13, probably near to the age limit for the Temple. Obi-Wan noddoed to her bow, and she smiled.
"Hello Knight Kenobi. Its a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kiana. I've heard a lot about you." She extended her hand, a gesture Obi-Wan hadn't seen since he went home last. Gripping it, he shook and the girls eyes widened.
"You're from Kyros too. I do not often have the chance of seeing people from my homeworld. I seldom get around to visiting." Obi-Wan cocked his head to the side. His mention of Kyros seemed to have set the teen into an almost depressed mood. "What's wrong?"
She looked up and smiled sweetly. "Nothing. Its just that I haven't been home in years. The Masters say that they can't send me there because they don't want me to fall into the wrong hands. Probably afraid I'll turn because of my style." She smirked. "Perhaps they don't know as much as we all believe them to because I won't."
Obi-Wans eyes were unblinking. "Why would they think you would turn? Seem fine to me."
Qui-Gon took up the dictation. "Obi-Wan. I can explain that. You see Kiana seems to fight with a style strikingly similar to that of the Sith. As a matter of fact, strikingly similar to that of Xanatos himself. The Council has SOME merit to its concerns, but I must admit I highly doubt her turning myself."
The young Knight looked intently at his Master. "You'd be a good teacher to her." He blurted. Slowly he continued. "I mean you know the risks of the style, but you also are the best swordsman we have and you could surely hone it down. Besides, you need someone who will stop you from burning all your meals!"
The three of them laughed heartily and sat down to eat what was left of the casserole. Once mid-evening meal was over, Obi-Wan made an announcement. "I won't be around for much longer, Qui-Gon. I've been informed that I must go to Malastare immediately to help with negotiations over there." He smiled at the face Qui-Gon made. "Don't worry. You taught me well and all will be fine!"
Nodding, the man looked closely at his former apprentice. "Yes. I know that and I don't doubt your skills. I just wish that we didn't have to seperate. I liked working with you and being able to depend on you to be there when I needed help. Now I have no one..unless I take on another Padawan." He sighed. "And I don't know if that is such a good idea. I'm getting kind of old."
"NO you're not getting old." Obi-Wan laughed. "Master Yoda is old, you are far from it. You are just past your prime, but not over the hill yet."
It was Qui-Gon's turn to laugh and he did. Kiana meerly sat there and listened to their conversation, politely not interupting. When Master Jinn realized this he turned to her. "Is something the matter Kiana? You seem awefully quiet."
She looked back to him and hesitated. "No. I'm ok. Its just something is bothering me. I can't quite put a finger on it, and it isn't anything near here." She didn't explain further and wouldn't when Qui-Gon prompted her. "No. I can't explain it yet. When I am able to understand it better, than I will talk about it."
Nodding, Qui-Gon relented from further questions and changed the subject. "So. When is your next birthday? I know you are 12 already and you said about two weeks until you turned 13?"
She sighed and nodded. "Yes. It is in two weeks to the day, Master Jinn. But like I said before, there is nothing I can do about it. What happens, happens."
A small smile crossed the aged Jedi Master's face. "You are wise beyond your years, Kiana. You seem unworried about the idea of not being chosen. Isn't that what you strived for?"
Smiling, Kiana agreed. "Yes. But not being chosen would not be the end of the world. There are plenty of other things that I could be of use doing." She frowned slightly. "They are not what I worked for, but I am not the one who choses my path. I only chose to walk the light one, it has many branches."
Obi-Wan listened attentively until now. "So you are saying you believe that your path is chosen, you will walk in the light no matter what the future ahead of you?"
"Yes." Was her simple reply. "That is it essentially."
The girl glanced at her chrono and grimaced. "I am afraid I must be going Master Jinn. I have to be back in time for staging. I am supposed to be in tonights gala. I was nice dining with you both. And a pleasure to meet you Obi-Wan."
She stood and took her leave of the Jedi Knights. Qui-Gon called out as she left. "Kiana? Would you mind if we perhaps viewed the fights tonight? It would not unsettle you for any reason?"
She laughed. "Oh of course not Master Jinn. I would welcome your coming, as I'm sure all the others would also. Just know if you do go, all the near age initiates will be striving to impress you."
"Will you?" He asked impulsively.
Kiana was taken back for a moment, but recovered quickly. "I will fight as I usually do. It should be no different when Masters are looking on. One should always give it all they have." With that said she quickly exited the room, leaving the two Jedi to ponder her words.
Obi-Wan couldn't help but grin when she was gone. Turning to his former master, the young Knight spoke. "Qui-Gon. You want to take her...I know you do. She is so like me, its almost uncanny."
Sighing, the elder Jedi stood. "I know. I should follow my feelings, but i really am getting too old to take apprentices. If I die before she is knighted, that would be doing her injustice. I will have to think on it."
Frustration was evident in Obi-Wan's voice as he countered. "You were able to follow your instincts all the time we were together, Qui-Gon. I never once knew you to ignore them. Don't begin now." He stood and walked out the door.
For a moment, the Jedi Master didn't say anything. He had always followed his instincts, that much was true. He couldn't figure out what was stopping him this time. There was some sort of underlying fear that his taking this girl would ruin her life.
Shrugging off the confusion, he set about clearing the dishes and preparing for bed.
"Your dinner with Master Jinn? How was it young apprentice?" Yoda asked Kiana as she performed a basic kata.
Dancing through the movements like a ballerina, Kiana replied without hesitation. "It was a fine meal, and we spoke of many different things. However, I felt that there were tensions among us all. Ones that I can not begin to explain. Do you think Master Jinn will ever take another Padawan, Master Yoda?"
The wizened Jedi Master let out a grumpy sigh. "That he should, but if he will I can not say. Worry not, Kiana. Chosen you will be, even if it is I who must do so."
Surprise surged through the girl and she faltered in her step. The slight mistake threw her balance and she fell hard to the ground. From experience she knew to switch off her lightsaber before she landed on it.
Grimacing, she lifted herself to her knees and smacked the dust from her trousers. "Are you serious?" She asked.
Yoda laughed in his odd little way. "Serious I am. Good and strong Jedi you are. But work on concentration you must."
She laughed. "Yes, Master. That I see I must."
"Good that you notice this. Now began again you must, finish this kata then go to join your friends in dining hall you may." Yoda seated himself in the hovering chair again to watch the girls progress.
It seemed as though the passing of good news had affected the girls self-confidence. Master Yoda noted that her movements were sharper then ever and that the Force was flowing through her with renewed strength. The small Master was pleased at the outcome of his news, and his eyes glistened.
"All go you may, Kiana. May the Force be with you and I will see you tomorrow here at the same time. Again you will go through the katas, though good you are."
"Thank you Master." The girl bowed lightly and deactivated her training saber. "May I ask you a question, Master?" Yoda nodded, and the girl moved to kneel in front of him. "While I was having dinner at Master Jinn's, I saw something. I don't know if it was my imagination or if the Force was trying to tell me something."
Yoda's face changed its expression, but Kiana couldn't tell what that meant. Instead she continued. "I saw myself and I was dying. And the weird thing was that I looked the same as I do today. I don't like admitting it, but I was afraid Master. I was dying and I wasn't a day older!"
The aged Jedi Master frowned deeply. "Bad this is, young one. Seen a similar fate for you I have. Thought it was a fluk I did. But now I fear that it is more. Careful you must be. Especially if accepted as a Padawan in the near future, you are."
Kiana managed a small nod. "Yes, Master. I will be mindful. But I can not shake the feeling that something bad is inevitably going to happen." She stood and took her leave of the Jedi Master.
In a voice, barely louder than a whisper, Master Yoda commented. "Die you will, young Kiana. If save you someone does not."
Continued...
"I'm sorry about this Obi-Wan. It appears the first meal I cook without the assisstance of my Padawan, I ruin!" He laughs now, realizing the irony of this situation.
Smiling, the young Knight replied, "It APPEARS you can't live without me Qui-Gon!" He ducked when the kitchen towel came flying at his head.
Suddenly there was a buzzing from the door. "Oh...that must be my guest." Qui-Gon murmured. "Let me go see."
Obi-Wan looked at him oddly. "Guest? Who else did you invite to dinner?" He was genuinely confused. None of Qui-Gon's friends were at the Temple currently. So unless Master Windu or Master Yoda were coming...who could this newcomer be?
He was surprised when Qui-Gon returned with a young initiate. She looked about 12 or 13, probably near to the age limit for the Temple. Obi-Wan noddoed to her bow, and she smiled.
"Hello Knight Kenobi. Its a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kiana. I've heard a lot about you." She extended her hand, a gesture Obi-Wan hadn't seen since he went home last. Gripping it, he shook and the girls eyes widened.
"You're from Kyros too. I do not often have the chance of seeing people from my homeworld. I seldom get around to visiting." Obi-Wan cocked his head to the side. His mention of Kyros seemed to have set the teen into an almost depressed mood. "What's wrong?"
She looked up and smiled sweetly. "Nothing. Its just that I haven't been home in years. The Masters say that they can't send me there because they don't want me to fall into the wrong hands. Probably afraid I'll turn because of my style." She smirked. "Perhaps they don't know as much as we all believe them to because I won't."
Obi-Wans eyes were unblinking. "Why would they think you would turn? Seem fine to me."
Qui-Gon took up the dictation. "Obi-Wan. I can explain that. You see Kiana seems to fight with a style strikingly similar to that of the Sith. As a matter of fact, strikingly similar to that of Xanatos himself. The Council has SOME merit to its concerns, but I must admit I highly doubt her turning myself."
The young Knight looked intently at his Master. "You'd be a good teacher to her." He blurted. Slowly he continued. "I mean you know the risks of the style, but you also are the best swordsman we have and you could surely hone it down. Besides, you need someone who will stop you from burning all your meals!"
The three of them laughed heartily and sat down to eat what was left of the casserole. Once mid-evening meal was over, Obi-Wan made an announcement. "I won't be around for much longer, Qui-Gon. I've been informed that I must go to Malastare immediately to help with negotiations over there." He smiled at the face Qui-Gon made. "Don't worry. You taught me well and all will be fine!"
Nodding, the man looked closely at his former apprentice. "Yes. I know that and I don't doubt your skills. I just wish that we didn't have to seperate. I liked working with you and being able to depend on you to be there when I needed help. Now I have no one..unless I take on another Padawan." He sighed. "And I don't know if that is such a good idea. I'm getting kind of old."
"NO you're not getting old." Obi-Wan laughed. "Master Yoda is old, you are far from it. You are just past your prime, but not over the hill yet."
It was Qui-Gon's turn to laugh and he did. Kiana meerly sat there and listened to their conversation, politely not interupting. When Master Jinn realized this he turned to her. "Is something the matter Kiana? You seem awefully quiet."
She looked back to him and hesitated. "No. I'm ok. Its just something is bothering me. I can't quite put a finger on it, and it isn't anything near here." She didn't explain further and wouldn't when Qui-Gon prompted her. "No. I can't explain it yet. When I am able to understand it better, than I will talk about it."
Nodding, Qui-Gon relented from further questions and changed the subject. "So. When is your next birthday? I know you are 12 already and you said about two weeks until you turned 13?"
She sighed and nodded. "Yes. It is in two weeks to the day, Master Jinn. But like I said before, there is nothing I can do about it. What happens, happens."
A small smile crossed the aged Jedi Master's face. "You are wise beyond your years, Kiana. You seem unworried about the idea of not being chosen. Isn't that what you strived for?"
Smiling, Kiana agreed. "Yes. But not being chosen would not be the end of the world. There are plenty of other things that I could be of use doing." She frowned slightly. "They are not what I worked for, but I am not the one who choses my path. I only chose to walk the light one, it has many branches."
Obi-Wan listened attentively until now. "So you are saying you believe that your path is chosen, you will walk in the light no matter what the future ahead of you?"
"Yes." Was her simple reply. "That is it essentially."
The girl glanced at her chrono and grimaced. "I am afraid I must be going Master Jinn. I have to be back in time for staging. I am supposed to be in tonights gala. I was nice dining with you both. And a pleasure to meet you Obi-Wan."
She stood and took her leave of the Jedi Knights. Qui-Gon called out as she left. "Kiana? Would you mind if we perhaps viewed the fights tonight? It would not unsettle you for any reason?"
She laughed. "Oh of course not Master Jinn. I would welcome your coming, as I'm sure all the others would also. Just know if you do go, all the near age initiates will be striving to impress you."
"Will you?" He asked impulsively.
Kiana was taken back for a moment, but recovered quickly. "I will fight as I usually do. It should be no different when Masters are looking on. One should always give it all they have." With that said she quickly exited the room, leaving the two Jedi to ponder her words.
Obi-Wan couldn't help but grin when she was gone. Turning to his former master, the young Knight spoke. "Qui-Gon. You want to take her...I know you do. She is so like me, its almost uncanny."
Sighing, the elder Jedi stood. "I know. I should follow my feelings, but i really am getting too old to take apprentices. If I die before she is knighted, that would be doing her injustice. I will have to think on it."
Frustration was evident in Obi-Wan's voice as he countered. "You were able to follow your instincts all the time we were together, Qui-Gon. I never once knew you to ignore them. Don't begin now." He stood and walked out the door.
For a moment, the Jedi Master didn't say anything. He had always followed his instincts, that much was true. He couldn't figure out what was stopping him this time. There was some sort of underlying fear that his taking this girl would ruin her life.
Shrugging off the confusion, he set about clearing the dishes and preparing for bed.
"Your dinner with Master Jinn? How was it young apprentice?" Yoda asked Kiana as she performed a basic kata.
Dancing through the movements like a ballerina, Kiana replied without hesitation. "It was a fine meal, and we spoke of many different things. However, I felt that there were tensions among us all. Ones that I can not begin to explain. Do you think Master Jinn will ever take another Padawan, Master Yoda?"
The wizened Jedi Master let out a grumpy sigh. "That he should, but if he will I can not say. Worry not, Kiana. Chosen you will be, even if it is I who must do so."
Surprise surged through the girl and she faltered in her step. The slight mistake threw her balance and she fell hard to the ground. From experience she knew to switch off her lightsaber before she landed on it.
Grimacing, she lifted herself to her knees and smacked the dust from her trousers. "Are you serious?" She asked.
Yoda laughed in his odd little way. "Serious I am. Good and strong Jedi you are. But work on concentration you must."
She laughed. "Yes, Master. That I see I must."
"Good that you notice this. Now began again you must, finish this kata then go to join your friends in dining hall you may." Yoda seated himself in the hovering chair again to watch the girls progress.
It seemed as though the passing of good news had affected the girls self-confidence. Master Yoda noted that her movements were sharper then ever and that the Force was flowing through her with renewed strength. The small Master was pleased at the outcome of his news, and his eyes glistened.
"All go you may, Kiana. May the Force be with you and I will see you tomorrow here at the same time. Again you will go through the katas, though good you are."
"Thank you Master." The girl bowed lightly and deactivated her training saber. "May I ask you a question, Master?" Yoda nodded, and the girl moved to kneel in front of him. "While I was having dinner at Master Jinn's, I saw something. I don't know if it was my imagination or if the Force was trying to tell me something."
Yoda's face changed its expression, but Kiana couldn't tell what that meant. Instead she continued. "I saw myself and I was dying. And the weird thing was that I looked the same as I do today. I don't like admitting it, but I was afraid Master. I was dying and I wasn't a day older!"
The aged Jedi Master frowned deeply. "Bad this is, young one. Seen a similar fate for you I have. Thought it was a fluk I did. But now I fear that it is more. Careful you must be. Especially if accepted as a Padawan in the near future, you are."
Kiana managed a small nod. "Yes, Master. I will be mindful. But I can not shake the feeling that something bad is inevitably going to happen." She stood and took her leave of the Jedi Master.
In a voice, barely louder than a whisper, Master Yoda commented. "Die you will, young Kiana. If save you someone does not."
Continued...