Retreat
"Come on, you can attack harder than that!" Qui-Gon advanced on Aislinn, brandishing his saber with a flourish. She was standing a short distance away, in a defensive position. A faint smile was on her face, an expression of confidence and determination, though not necessarily arrogance. They had been sparring during the evenings for a few days now, both needing to expend pent-up stress. Qui-Gon had experienced a great release all day. Although the grief was still there, it wasn't as oppressive as it had been. Perhaps Yoda had been right. Maybe he had just been denying his pain in an attempt to be a better Jedi.
"I can't beat you by sheer skill," Aislinn replied lightly, focusing on his advance. "You have a reputation for your talent in saber work. I'll have to find another way." Qui-Gon lashed out towards her, trying to lick her shoulder with the tip of his saber. With a grin, she parried the shot and made her own advance towards his side, which he easily countered.
Qui-Gon shook his head in disbelief, trying to find an opening on her right side, her non-saber hand side. "I'm no better than any other Jedi my age," he replied humbly. Aislinn continued to block the hits he attempted. Then she flipped over his head, dropping into a crouch when she landed and making for a strike on his calves. She scored a burn on his right calf, but he had stepped out of the way with a quiet curse before her follow-through.
He made a low sweep, coaxing her out of her defensive crouch. Aislinn jumped low, earning her own burn on her shin as he brought the saber out of the sweep. She made a quick spin, scoring a hit on his arm. However, Qui-Gon returned the favor, faking a hit and marking her. "No better!" she snorted. "You are the best fighter this Temple has seen in well over a decade of standard years, and you haven't even grown into your full potential! Didn't you ever listen to your saber instructor?"
"He never said such high praise of me in my presence. Preserving my modesty, I suppose," Qui-Gon replied. He advanced again, pushing her off the practice mat. She scowled, side-stepping to get around him. They continued the spar, Aislinn meeting Qui-Gon's strength with a swiftness he couldn't match. The pair fought rather evenly, bringing out each other's weaknesses and looking for the advantage. It was rather hard to find for either.
Yoda stepped into the arena, taking care to make as little noise as possible. Behind him followed an older man, perhaps fifty, with muted red hair. He was a little gaunt, looking worn and tired, but content. A short red beard outlined his strong features, as well as framing brilliant blue eyes that were edged with haggardness. Yoda indicated for him to remain silent, and they watched the interaction with curiosity. The shorter master nodded with satisfaction as the taller's eyes twinkled in amusement at the banter between Aislinn and Qui-Gon.
"You can't retreat forever," Qui-Gon said with a grin, chasing her leisurely across the mat as she backed away. He gathered strength and jumped in the air, performing a tight somersault before landing in front of her, slashing at her tunic. Aislinn was taken off guard and took the slash gamely, blocking his next attempt for a hit.
They battled on in silence for a while, Qui-Gon catching sight of the two newly arrived Jedi, although he had no time to indicate he had seen them except for a quick nod of the head. Aislinn didn't notice that movement at all, too caught up in one of his more impatient flurries of blows. She parried them, managing to make her own strike across his belly before she flipped over his head. When she landed, she caught sight of the two Jedi in the entrance of the arena. Completely astonished, she froze, staring at them. Qui-Gon turned with a jab to the neck, a feeble attempt at a kill point since he was expecting her to leap back. Instead, he dealt her a harsh blow across the jaw, the momentum of his hand too much to divert at the last moment. He managed to deactivate his saber, but the hilt still connected solidly.
Aislinn's gaze never flickered to Qui-Gon. She dropped her saber hilt, deactivated, and took a few halting steps towards them. Then, Aislinn ran over, flinging herself into the red-haired man's arms, crying over and over again, "Master, you're home!" Tears covered her cheeks as she buried her head into his shoulder, hugging him tightly.
Qui-Gon felt oddly out of place. He was indescribably happy for Aislinn. Her master was home safe. He was there for her again. He turned to watch the joyous two-person homecoming, a lump rising in his throat. The dull ache returned, though not nearly as strongly as it had before. Qui-Gon realized that Yoda was right. It would be something he would fight his entire life, the pervasive loneliness caused by not having what others did. But he had his memories. It may not be all right now, but it would be. Qui-Gon had faith. He just had to be patient, working through it and talking with others. He couldn't hide behind his past.
The realization hit Qui-Gon as hard as he must have hit Aislinn. The Oath wasn't designed to confine Jedi, but to release them from the confines of themselves. He could feel grief and pain and anger, but he couldn't let it control him. He could experience things as a human, but he had to remain objective about the emotions, knowing when they were jading his point of view. The Living Force had led him to Aislinn to teach him this, even though they had both resisted, and she had probably had something to learn from him. He would always miss his master, but within him, as part of himself and his training, he could keep the spirit of Riley alive, manifest the essence that had become one with Force when he had passed on. He was still there, in the Force. It was just knowing how to reach him.
"Come on, you can attack harder than that!" Qui-Gon advanced on Aislinn, brandishing his saber with a flourish. She was standing a short distance away, in a defensive position. A faint smile was on her face, an expression of confidence and determination, though not necessarily arrogance. They had been sparring during the evenings for a few days now, both needing to expend pent-up stress. Qui-Gon had experienced a great release all day. Although the grief was still there, it wasn't as oppressive as it had been. Perhaps Yoda had been right. Maybe he had just been denying his pain in an attempt to be a better Jedi.
"I can't beat you by sheer skill," Aislinn replied lightly, focusing on his advance. "You have a reputation for your talent in saber work. I'll have to find another way." Qui-Gon lashed out towards her, trying to lick her shoulder with the tip of his saber. With a grin, she parried the shot and made her own advance towards his side, which he easily countered.
Qui-Gon shook his head in disbelief, trying to find an opening on her right side, her non-saber hand side. "I'm no better than any other Jedi my age," he replied humbly. Aislinn continued to block the hits he attempted. Then she flipped over his head, dropping into a crouch when she landed and making for a strike on his calves. She scored a burn on his right calf, but he had stepped out of the way with a quiet curse before her follow-through.
He made a low sweep, coaxing her out of her defensive crouch. Aislinn jumped low, earning her own burn on her shin as he brought the saber out of the sweep. She made a quick spin, scoring a hit on his arm. However, Qui-Gon returned the favor, faking a hit and marking her. "No better!" she snorted. "You are the best fighter this Temple has seen in well over a decade of standard years, and you haven't even grown into your full potential! Didn't you ever listen to your saber instructor?"
"He never said such high praise of me in my presence. Preserving my modesty, I suppose," Qui-Gon replied. He advanced again, pushing her off the practice mat. She scowled, side-stepping to get around him. They continued the spar, Aislinn meeting Qui-Gon's strength with a swiftness he couldn't match. The pair fought rather evenly, bringing out each other's weaknesses and looking for the advantage. It was rather hard to find for either.
Yoda stepped into the arena, taking care to make as little noise as possible. Behind him followed an older man, perhaps fifty, with muted red hair. He was a little gaunt, looking worn and tired, but content. A short red beard outlined his strong features, as well as framing brilliant blue eyes that were edged with haggardness. Yoda indicated for him to remain silent, and they watched the interaction with curiosity. The shorter master nodded with satisfaction as the taller's eyes twinkled in amusement at the banter between Aislinn and Qui-Gon.
"You can't retreat forever," Qui-Gon said with a grin, chasing her leisurely across the mat as she backed away. He gathered strength and jumped in the air, performing a tight somersault before landing in front of her, slashing at her tunic. Aislinn was taken off guard and took the slash gamely, blocking his next attempt for a hit.
They battled on in silence for a while, Qui-Gon catching sight of the two newly arrived Jedi, although he had no time to indicate he had seen them except for a quick nod of the head. Aislinn didn't notice that movement at all, too caught up in one of his more impatient flurries of blows. She parried them, managing to make her own strike across his belly before she flipped over his head. When she landed, she caught sight of the two Jedi in the entrance of the arena. Completely astonished, she froze, staring at them. Qui-Gon turned with a jab to the neck, a feeble attempt at a kill point since he was expecting her to leap back. Instead, he dealt her a harsh blow across the jaw, the momentum of his hand too much to divert at the last moment. He managed to deactivate his saber, but the hilt still connected solidly.
Aislinn's gaze never flickered to Qui-Gon. She dropped her saber hilt, deactivated, and took a few halting steps towards them. Then, Aislinn ran over, flinging herself into the red-haired man's arms, crying over and over again, "Master, you're home!" Tears covered her cheeks as she buried her head into his shoulder, hugging him tightly.
Qui-Gon felt oddly out of place. He was indescribably happy for Aislinn. Her master was home safe. He was there for her again. He turned to watch the joyous two-person homecoming, a lump rising in his throat. The dull ache returned, though not nearly as strongly as it had before. Qui-Gon realized that Yoda was right. It would be something he would fight his entire life, the pervasive loneliness caused by not having what others did. But he had his memories. It may not be all right now, but it would be. Qui-Gon had faith. He just had to be patient, working through it and talking with others. He couldn't hide behind his past.
The realization hit Qui-Gon as hard as he must have hit Aislinn. The Oath wasn't designed to confine Jedi, but to release them from the confines of themselves. He could feel grief and pain and anger, but he couldn't let it control him. He could experience things as a human, but he had to remain objective about the emotions, knowing when they were jading his point of view. The Living Force had led him to Aislinn to teach him this, even though they had both resisted, and she had probably had something to learn from him. He would always miss his master, but within him, as part of himself and his training, he could keep the spirit of Riley alive, manifest the essence that had become one with Force when he had passed on. He was still there, in the Force. It was just knowing how to reach him.