TWO
"Let me show you." Qui-Gon said patiently, assuming a "ready" stance and igniting his lightsaber. Standing aside a few paces, Obi-Wan watched intently as his master demonstrated a new technique. "This is particularly useful as a defense against multiple attackers but will work just as well with a single opponent if you use shorter movements."
The mission, it had turned out in their discussion over their meal, was a relatively simple one; they were being dispatched to assess possible candidates for Jedi initiation, babes and young children barely walking who might join the Order and begin the training. Obi-Wan was somewhat surprised; normally crèche Masters and their Padawans did such choosing. He'd been expecting something like negotiations or diplomatic duties, perhaps even rendering humanitarian aid to some colony in distress. While he was not exactly…displeased with their assignment, he wasn't quite thrilled with it either.
However, the Padawan knew that his duty was to the Code, and to his Master and wherever Qui-Gon was dispatched to perform a Jedi's work he would go and work alongside. So he'd shoved aside his minor disappointments and prepared for saber practice, changing into light sparring clothes and digging down into that quiet center to tap into the calm and peace of the Force.
Qui-Gon demonstrated the move again, at a little faster pace than the first showing, and Obi-Wan followed it silently with his eyes, watching the darting green blade and committing the movements to memory. Coming to stand alongside his master, Obi-Wan ignited his saber and took a "ready" stance.
Slow first. Qui-Gon instructed him through the bond, and together master and apprentice made the same motions, gracefully stepping and moving their blades as one. Qui-Gon guided his student through the movement using the bond, and Obi-Wan let him, feeling the gentle Force-touch of his master direct his hand when it wanted to stray in the wrong direction. Good, that was good. Do it again. Once more they walked through the technique together, mirror images side by side in perfect rhythm.
"This seems…a little awkward." Obi-Wan commented on a particular stance as he brought his saber around in a slow arc. "Perhaps, if I put my weight on my right foot…"
"No, if you do that, when you come back here…" Qui-Gon moved a little and demonstrated the technique using Obi-Wan's suggested change. "You'll be totally off-balance for the block, and you'll find yourself quite likely missing an arm. Or a head." Straightening, he looked at his apprentice. "Missing an arm you could conceivably survive. Missing a head, however, makes survival rather more difficult."
Despite the seriousness of the lesson and the even more serious consequences Qui-Gon had just described, Obi-Wan couldn't help but grin mischievously. He had grown accustomed to his master's dry humor and even drier delivery, clever wit delivered with a deadpan expression. The life of a Jedi was hard and demanding, but nowhere in the Code did it say that it couldn't be lightened with a little humor. Even if it was bad humor.
"As a hairstyle, it is rather extreme." He replied good-naturedly and Qui-Gon was the first to break, giving in to a soft chuckle. "It's a good thing, Master, that you don't handle your blade the way you handle your jokes." Qui-Gon smothered an outright laugh this time and then tucked his expression back into a serious demeanor.
"And it's a good thing, Padawan, that you're a quick study. Now focus…and show me again."
This time Jinn stood off to the side as his student demonstrated the technique, watching its delivery closely. He was pleased with the result; Obi-Wan performed the maneuver flawlessly, all grace and perfect balance. He beckoned for the Padawan to repeat the move, only faster and Kenobi complied, a whirl of blue blade, ginger hair and surefooted motion.
Kata-style was one thing, however. Putting the move into practice was another thing entirely. Re-igniting his saber, Qui-Gon stepped into the sparring circle and Obi-Wan took up position opposite him. Again, slow. Qui-Gon's voice in his mind, and then the Jedi Master was leading at him with a series of extremely exaggerated, slow attacks. Obi-Wan stepped fluidly into the defensive, using his newly-taught skills. Parry, parry, block…spin, thrust, step, step, and wheel and block...mentally he guided himself through the movements.
Now. The subtle breath into the bond was the only warning Obi-Wan received before Qui-Gon stepped up the attack, adding more speed and finesse into his motion. As before, Kenobi was nearly a blur, moving effortlessly until…
…the awkward spot. Despite being a "quick study," Obi-Wan fell back to his initial instincts, pivoting on his right foot instead of his left, and just as his master had predicted he lost his balance completely as he moved to the block. Qui-Gon saw the error just as he brought his own saber around and down and barely had time to pull the blow before the green blade sliced into vulnerable flesh. Powered down to sparring strength, it might not take a head, but it could still deliver a nasty injury. As it was…
"OW!" Obi-Wan yelped as the very tip of the lightsaber flicked across his jaw-line and as he stumbled to regain his balance, made contact with his upraised hand, effectively disarming him as he dropped his own saber and tumbled unceremoniously onto the practice mat.
"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon powered down his saber and quickly knelt at his apprentice's side, helping him to sit up and looking over the two nicks the saber had left in its wake.
"I'm all right, Master." He squirmed a little. Qui-Gon continued his inspection despite the protest.
"This one will blister." Jinn pronounced, tilting the ginger head a little for a better look. "We'd better get a burn patch from the infirmary."
"Oh, sith…" Obi-Wan's complaint died before it could be truly spoken. He knew better than to argue with Qui-Gon about something like this. Still… "I'm sure Healer Obuk will be so pleased to see me again."
"Sarcasm," Jinn replied somewhat sternly as he turned his inspection to his student's hand, "does not become a Jedi." Kenobi dropped his gaze a little, duly chastised but still not wanting to go to the infirmary.
"Yes, Master."
"Besides, didn't I teach you the first rule of dueling is to know when to duck?" Qui-Gon's eyes took on a merry spark as he stood. "If you'd master that, then you wouldn't have to see Healer Obuk so often now, would you?" He took hold of his Padawan's uninjured hand and pulled him to his feet. "I think that'll do for saber practice today. When we get back, we should prepare ourselves for the mission; it's something of a journey to Bahreen."