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Dusk spread across the skyline, softening the severe edges of the buildings with a violet flush, a hint of a sliver moon materializing in the distance.

Obi-Wan stood at the terrace door, one palm flattened on the handle, providing balance to his recovering frame. To visitors, a Coruscanti sunset could be considered almost mechanical…after all, every season was planned with an unimaginative precision. In the summer, days never simmered too brightly, and winter frosts never turned to blizzards.

And spring, the breezy era of roseate affection and blooming flowers, was only, in reality, a few squares on the graphed timetable, that would pass without surprise, that would fade from day to night just as it was now, with fabricated color and scheduled beauty.

But, despite the truth of the sight, Obi-Wan could still revel in it. He'd had enough of the unexpected in his life, his fill of shivers and tightly wound stomachs, the dread of not knowing, to value this one certainty.

Because, the Knight knew well, you could never be assured another of these sunsets.

Not in the life of a Jedi.

And not in the life of a nobleman, a baker or anyone else that lived on the stacked levels of the planet.

He had learned to treasure the tender landscape of the moon's ascendance, long before he was shackled in captivity.

Yet, it was only now that he knew that he could live without it, that he could survive and even thrive without the pale lemon glow, if it came to that.

But it was good to know it was there, for the time being. That although nothing was eternal, not his life, not the harmony of most anything, for even the weather could malfunction--his love for the nightfall, that feeling, was.

He couldn't stare at it forever, but he could remember the warm core of it, the many moments spent bathing in its splendor and treasuring its unique balm.

And he could face each day, because he had those recollections of the night.

Obi-Wan smiled, raising a hand to his chest when a small pain struck there.

"You shouldn't be out there, you know."

A soft baritone caused him to turn, and he realized he had opened the arcadia, walked a few paces onto the balcony, all without registering the movements. "Sorry…I guess I was just…wandering."

Qui-Gon only smiled in return, joining him on the small outcropping of the apartment. His companion's face was half-caressed by shadow and he was compelled to touch the other side, where the bruising was all but vanished. "There's nothing wrong with that."

Obi-Wan saw the jewel twinkling in sapphire eyes and sighed. "I've had quite enough time to wander. Through all sorts of plains and---I think I need to step back on course again."

Shade outlined the aged break in the Master's nose, and Obi-Wan thought of all the moments the man had lamented the flaw, while the Padawan secretly admired it, a noble mark that did nothing to mar the surrounding face. It was an exterior reflection of the character that lay beneath. And Obi-Wan hoped that the tiny, threading scars on his own face would someday be regarded in the same way--if he was at all worthy of that sentiment.

"Do you think you're ready?" Qui-Gon asked quietly, unsuccessful in banishing the regret from his voice.

Obi-Wan gave a tiny shrug. "I think I have to be."

A hand rested on his shoulder and remained there. "You know you're welcomed to stay here as long as you need. You're not fully recovered."

"I know." He agreed, looking out at the darkening palate of the city. "But the last part…I guess I need to do on my own." His next words were husky, but he didn't rightly care. "You have your own affairs to return to and I'll have mine, soon enough."

Qui-Gon swallowed. "Anakin would not argue your presence, Obi-Wan. He would understand."

"Perhaps he would. But he's your Padawan now, and he deserves your complete attention." His watering eyes narrowed in a smile. "I know that for a fact.

"And I'm grateful that you devoted your time to helping me." He added.

"I'm glad that I could be there." Qui-Gon brushed a few auburn strands from Obi-Wan's forehead. "Now let's get inside. I am your old Master, and I think I should get to torture you for at least a few more hours."

Obi-Wan chuckled, following him through the doors.