Authors Note: This chapter's better! :D Oh dear.... I was randomly quoting Yoda on MSN and then it evolved into Yoda dancing to "I like Big Butts"
Disclaimer: Read the first chappy legal peeps. Too lazy to repeat :)
Review Thank Yous...
Princess-Kinky: Heheee I didn't mean that I was offended, I just found it interesting! I can live with deranged, lol. Nutty too ;) So please don't apologise... i'm just here to write :D This one's a bit longer just for you :D
lurker1: LOL cool name! hugs the constructive criticism no i want it! Okay, so more showing less telling. I tried to do that in this chapter, so hopefully it shows a little but i'm gonna work hardest on the next one (i was already halfway through this one when i got your review)
Rieyeuxs: I can live with that ;) Glad you still like it! (No, seriously!)
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Chapter Three: Of Knighthoods
Obi-Wan knelt before his Master with his head bowed. After three weeks that were in the running for some of the worst of his life.
Three weeks of mediating a dispute that he would normally want no part of. It reminded him too much of his early days as a Padawan, when he abandoned Qui-Gon to fight for a very similar cause.
Three weeks of third guessing his second-guesses then chiding himself for not trusting his instincts and living in the moment.
Three weeks with no one to talk to -it had certainly been unusual, having nobody to bounce ideas off that is. Usually on diplomatic missions such as that Qui-Gon would ask him what he noticed about each ambassador or leader, ask him what his conclusions were and possible outcomes of certain suggestions for the next day.
When he meditated there was no glowing presence of his Master, comforting just by being there, only a thin link, attenuated to near nothingness by the distance now between them.
Qui-Gon's voice bought him forcefully into the present.
"Now that you are a Knight of the Order, I cut this braid that has been a symbol of your apprenticeship." The ivory-handled blade, used by Jedi Masters for centuries back into the far reaches of time, sliced through the braid hair by hair. "No longer are you a Padawan, but an equal, rise Jedi Knight Kenobi."
It was easier said than done, his knees felt shaky and he was a afraid of what he would see in his Masters, Qui-Gon's, eyes when he looked up. Relief? Annoyance at his hesitation?
With a push of determination, he rose to his feet and looked into the blue eyes he'd seen through so much.
Obi-Wan searched them; finding nothing of what he'd feared only happiness and was there pride? Feeling his own surge of annoyance he released it with a steady breath. For a man who was so proud of his apprentice the Master certainly had an odd way of showing it. During his very early apprenticeship especially he'd worked so hard for even a twitch of a smile, for a 'well done', for a 'good work' and now, now that he'd been cast aside like an unwanted data pad Qui-Gon felt proud? After everything, only now?
"Congratulations Obi-Wan." Once more the smooth voice pulled him from his thoughts, he forced a smile, struggling for it to look normal. "What do you plan to do know you are a Knight?"
Obi-Wan thanked the Force for the distraction provided by Bant and Garen as they ran up to him from the circle of other Masters and Knights and friends.
Garen, who'd been Knighted just a week before, grinned in a very non-Jedi manner and answered the question he'd apparently heard.
"He's celebrating with us, Master Jinn. He missed my Knighting ceremony so we'll be having a double celebration!"
Bant hugged him so tight he thought he heard a rib crack, and after managing to extract himself from the Mon Calmari's grasp asked, "I am?"
"You are! Come on! Excuse us, Master Jinn." Pulling on his sleeve, Garen led him through the crowds with as much haste as possible, pausing only when Obi-Wan did (it was his Knighthood after all) which was for Master Windu and Master Yoda, and every other Jedi there.
Garen and Bant exchanged amused glances -it seemed Obi-Wan made friends with anyone he spoke to, and it was even more amusing when a female Padawan practically draped herself over him. Garen almost doubled over.
"Uh -Taya? Taya, please? Tay-" Obi-Wan tried to pull her off him but he didn't seem to be getting very far.
Bant observed the scene with a little more dignity than Garen if only because she wanted to remember that particular shade of red her human friend had turned until the end of her days, "How long should we let him flounder like that?"
Garen struggled to regain some composure as Obi-Wan got no further, "Forever, I'd say."
"Yes but if he's stuck forever we'll never be able to tease him about it."
"A fair point." Wading though the onlookers that had gathered to watch with growing amusement he politely asked Padawan Taya Parlipa if he could have his friend back.
"You took your time! I thought she was going to become permanently attached to me." Obi-Wan glared at him openly, bidding his last hellos and farewells to more Jedi before escaping into the corridor. He would never like situations like that as long as he lived -even among the Jedi he felt like an awkward teenager. "Remind me not to hurry next time you're in trouble. And Bant, what is it with you women?"
For that, he received a sharp swot from his female friend and a laugh from Garen.
"What do you mean, what's with us women?" she asked in a dangerously low tone.
"I don't mean it like that Bant," Oh nice going Obi-Wan, you been a Knight for little more than an hour and already you've endangered yourself by not thinking before speaking. Yes. Obi-Wan Kenobi, shortest lived Knight. Ever. "Bant, please, it's just that some women are a little odd, that's all I mean."
"Obi!"
"Wow, for a trained negotiator you're about as good as a hungry Hutt…"
"You are not helping yourself her Obi. Why don't you just be quiet?"
"Yes Master Bant."
"I said be quiet Obi."
It was probably a very good job there were no Masters around to see the two new Knights and senior Padawan as they weren't really the picture of Jedi serenity as Garen was snickering, Bant was glaring and Obi-Wan was looking quite contrite. And he was very aware of that fact.
"Here we are, my new home." Garen keyed in the access code to his room and gave them a quick tour of the bedroom, the 'fresher and the kitchen/dining area/lounge area/study. They were much like Obi-Wan's own quarters.
After some more pushes and shoves they all managed to squeeze onto the small couch and collectively mused if they would be able to manage this when their other friend, Reeft, was planet-side too and they calmed down thinking about it.
Since now both he and Garen were Knights they would be leaving on missions quickly, probably tomorrow since the latter had asked for a delay until Obi-Wan returned, and Reeft and Bant were still Padawans it would become even more difficult to be all together at once -at least when they were Padawans their Masters were thoughtful enough to try and arrange their Temple quarter at the same times.
"How do you think Reeft is?" Bant asked, playing wit Garen's hand.
Pulling his hand back he replied, "Probably not having as much trouble with women as Obi."
Obi-Wan sent him a smothering look. "I didn't know I was supposed to be good with women on a one to one level, it never came up in my training! But I suppose you're perfect with them?"
"I'm not as daft as you!"
Bant rolled her eyes, as a female she felt slightly miffed with the males sitting either side of her but let them have their bickering. In the morning she sensed they'd both be leaving anyway, so she wanted to remember this night.
---
Qui-Gon walked swiftly back to his quarters, though a chance to converse with some of his old friends would have been greatly enjoyed he'd promised Anakin he'd be back as soon as he could. The boy had been through so much in his short ten cycles and his mental 'People to Trust' list was so small that the Jedi Master didn't want to be responsible for making the criteria to join the list even smaller.
Pride swelled within him at the thought of how far the boy had come. He knew Yoda would come around eventually, just like the Council had. The ancient Jedi couldn't deny the coming of the One forever, soon the future would be clearer as Anakin bought balance.
The young one was tinkered with a metal object he couldn't identify from the doorway.
"What have you got there, Anakin?"
"A communicator."
Was the only reply he got, it seemed his Padawan was quite immersed in his latest project, though he could sense nothing suggesting strong concentration through their fledgling bond.
"Half an hour more and then bed, Ani."
The affirmation took longer this time as he screwed something in and twisted some wires, "Yes, Master. G'night."
Nodding, Qui-Gon returned to his own bedroom and settled into a meditation stance.
The Force swirled around him and out in every direction. Reaching out he felt Anakin's signature, a bright glowing presence, out in the corridors of the Temple he felt others more subtly, having no bond with them meant it was harder to identify them by signature alone. The Temple was slowing down as the Initiates slept, young Padawans began to turn in and lights were dimmed for the night.
Withdrawing back into himself he sank deeper, considering the look in Obi-Wan's eyes earlier.
Those eyes looked, angry with him, though maybe that was too strong word. Annoyed? Upset? Vexed? He didn't understand, surely Obi-Wan wasn't still smarting from what he said in the Council Chambers? He must have understood why -how could the Chosen One have not been trained? Was he the only one who could see that?
Now, however, was not the time for him to be trying to decipher the thoughts of his former Master and Padawan and settled for contemplating what Anakin had learnt today.
Balance would come.
---------------------------------
Post A/N: Longer this time :D Next chapter will be in the "present day" of this fic.... see originally in my plan these 4 chapters were all in one prologe . Please review tugs at any lurkers... feed me, i'll staaarve!
Obi-Wan: How can you starve from no reviews? Why not just get a sandwich?
Lani: Shut up or I'll hurt you.
Obi-Wan: You'll probably do that anyway!
Lani: Do you want that to be a certainty?!
Disclaimer: Read the first chappy legal peeps. Too lazy to repeat :)
Review Thank Yous...
Princess-Kinky: Heheee I didn't mean that I was offended, I just found it interesting! I can live with deranged, lol. Nutty too ;) So please don't apologise... i'm just here to write :D This one's a bit longer just for you :D
lurker1: LOL cool name! hugs the constructive criticism no i want it! Okay, so more showing less telling. I tried to do that in this chapter, so hopefully it shows a little but i'm gonna work hardest on the next one (i was already halfway through this one when i got your review)
Rieyeuxs: I can live with that ;) Glad you still like it! (No, seriously!)
-----------------------------
Chapter Three: Of Knighthoods
Obi-Wan knelt before his Master with his head bowed. After three weeks that were in the running for some of the worst of his life.
Three weeks of mediating a dispute that he would normally want no part of. It reminded him too much of his early days as a Padawan, when he abandoned Qui-Gon to fight for a very similar cause.
Three weeks of third guessing his second-guesses then chiding himself for not trusting his instincts and living in the moment.
Three weeks with no one to talk to -it had certainly been unusual, having nobody to bounce ideas off that is. Usually on diplomatic missions such as that Qui-Gon would ask him what he noticed about each ambassador or leader, ask him what his conclusions were and possible outcomes of certain suggestions for the next day.
When he meditated there was no glowing presence of his Master, comforting just by being there, only a thin link, attenuated to near nothingness by the distance now between them.
Qui-Gon's voice bought him forcefully into the present.
"Now that you are a Knight of the Order, I cut this braid that has been a symbol of your apprenticeship." The ivory-handled blade, used by Jedi Masters for centuries back into the far reaches of time, sliced through the braid hair by hair. "No longer are you a Padawan, but an equal, rise Jedi Knight Kenobi."
It was easier said than done, his knees felt shaky and he was a afraid of what he would see in his Masters, Qui-Gon's, eyes when he looked up. Relief? Annoyance at his hesitation?
With a push of determination, he rose to his feet and looked into the blue eyes he'd seen through so much.
Obi-Wan searched them; finding nothing of what he'd feared only happiness and was there pride? Feeling his own surge of annoyance he released it with a steady breath. For a man who was so proud of his apprentice the Master certainly had an odd way of showing it. During his very early apprenticeship especially he'd worked so hard for even a twitch of a smile, for a 'well done', for a 'good work' and now, now that he'd been cast aside like an unwanted data pad Qui-Gon felt proud? After everything, only now?
"Congratulations Obi-Wan." Once more the smooth voice pulled him from his thoughts, he forced a smile, struggling for it to look normal. "What do you plan to do know you are a Knight?"
Obi-Wan thanked the Force for the distraction provided by Bant and Garen as they ran up to him from the circle of other Masters and Knights and friends.
Garen, who'd been Knighted just a week before, grinned in a very non-Jedi manner and answered the question he'd apparently heard.
"He's celebrating with us, Master Jinn. He missed my Knighting ceremony so we'll be having a double celebration!"
Bant hugged him so tight he thought he heard a rib crack, and after managing to extract himself from the Mon Calmari's grasp asked, "I am?"
"You are! Come on! Excuse us, Master Jinn." Pulling on his sleeve, Garen led him through the crowds with as much haste as possible, pausing only when Obi-Wan did (it was his Knighthood after all) which was for Master Windu and Master Yoda, and every other Jedi there.
Garen and Bant exchanged amused glances -it seemed Obi-Wan made friends with anyone he spoke to, and it was even more amusing when a female Padawan practically draped herself over him. Garen almost doubled over.
"Uh -Taya? Taya, please? Tay-" Obi-Wan tried to pull her off him but he didn't seem to be getting very far.
Bant observed the scene with a little more dignity than Garen if only because she wanted to remember that particular shade of red her human friend had turned until the end of her days, "How long should we let him flounder like that?"
Garen struggled to regain some composure as Obi-Wan got no further, "Forever, I'd say."
"Yes but if he's stuck forever we'll never be able to tease him about it."
"A fair point." Wading though the onlookers that had gathered to watch with growing amusement he politely asked Padawan Taya Parlipa if he could have his friend back.
"You took your time! I thought she was going to become permanently attached to me." Obi-Wan glared at him openly, bidding his last hellos and farewells to more Jedi before escaping into the corridor. He would never like situations like that as long as he lived -even among the Jedi he felt like an awkward teenager. "Remind me not to hurry next time you're in trouble. And Bant, what is it with you women?"
For that, he received a sharp swot from his female friend and a laugh from Garen.
"What do you mean, what's with us women?" she asked in a dangerously low tone.
"I don't mean it like that Bant," Oh nice going Obi-Wan, you been a Knight for little more than an hour and already you've endangered yourself by not thinking before speaking. Yes. Obi-Wan Kenobi, shortest lived Knight. Ever. "Bant, please, it's just that some women are a little odd, that's all I mean."
"Obi!"
"Wow, for a trained negotiator you're about as good as a hungry Hutt…"
"You are not helping yourself her Obi. Why don't you just be quiet?"
"Yes Master Bant."
"I said be quiet Obi."
It was probably a very good job there were no Masters around to see the two new Knights and senior Padawan as they weren't really the picture of Jedi serenity as Garen was snickering, Bant was glaring and Obi-Wan was looking quite contrite. And he was very aware of that fact.
"Here we are, my new home." Garen keyed in the access code to his room and gave them a quick tour of the bedroom, the 'fresher and the kitchen/dining area/lounge area/study. They were much like Obi-Wan's own quarters.
After some more pushes and shoves they all managed to squeeze onto the small couch and collectively mused if they would be able to manage this when their other friend, Reeft, was planet-side too and they calmed down thinking about it.
Since now both he and Garen were Knights they would be leaving on missions quickly, probably tomorrow since the latter had asked for a delay until Obi-Wan returned, and Reeft and Bant were still Padawans it would become even more difficult to be all together at once -at least when they were Padawans their Masters were thoughtful enough to try and arrange their Temple quarter at the same times.
"How do you think Reeft is?" Bant asked, playing wit Garen's hand.
Pulling his hand back he replied, "Probably not having as much trouble with women as Obi."
Obi-Wan sent him a smothering look. "I didn't know I was supposed to be good with women on a one to one level, it never came up in my training! But I suppose you're perfect with them?"
"I'm not as daft as you!"
Bant rolled her eyes, as a female she felt slightly miffed with the males sitting either side of her but let them have their bickering. In the morning she sensed they'd both be leaving anyway, so she wanted to remember this night.
---
Qui-Gon walked swiftly back to his quarters, though a chance to converse with some of his old friends would have been greatly enjoyed he'd promised Anakin he'd be back as soon as he could. The boy had been through so much in his short ten cycles and his mental 'People to Trust' list was so small that the Jedi Master didn't want to be responsible for making the criteria to join the list even smaller.
Pride swelled within him at the thought of how far the boy had come. He knew Yoda would come around eventually, just like the Council had. The ancient Jedi couldn't deny the coming of the One forever, soon the future would be clearer as Anakin bought balance.
The young one was tinkered with a metal object he couldn't identify from the doorway.
"What have you got there, Anakin?"
"A communicator."
Was the only reply he got, it seemed his Padawan was quite immersed in his latest project, though he could sense nothing suggesting strong concentration through their fledgling bond.
"Half an hour more and then bed, Ani."
The affirmation took longer this time as he screwed something in and twisted some wires, "Yes, Master. G'night."
Nodding, Qui-Gon returned to his own bedroom and settled into a meditation stance.
The Force swirled around him and out in every direction. Reaching out he felt Anakin's signature, a bright glowing presence, out in the corridors of the Temple he felt others more subtly, having no bond with them meant it was harder to identify them by signature alone. The Temple was slowing down as the Initiates slept, young Padawans began to turn in and lights were dimmed for the night.
Withdrawing back into himself he sank deeper, considering the look in Obi-Wan's eyes earlier.
Those eyes looked, angry with him, though maybe that was too strong word. Annoyed? Upset? Vexed? He didn't understand, surely Obi-Wan wasn't still smarting from what he said in the Council Chambers? He must have understood why -how could the Chosen One have not been trained? Was he the only one who could see that?
Now, however, was not the time for him to be trying to decipher the thoughts of his former Master and Padawan and settled for contemplating what Anakin had learnt today.
Balance would come.
---------------------------------
Post A/N: Longer this time :D Next chapter will be in the "present day" of this fic.... see originally in my plan these 4 chapters were all in one prologe . Please review tugs at any lurkers... feed me, i'll staaarve!
Obi-Wan: How can you starve from no reviews? Why not just get a sandwich?
Lani: Shut up or I'll hurt you.
Obi-Wan: You'll probably do that anyway!
Lani: Do you want that to be a certainty?!