Thank you for all the great reviews! They always lighten up my day.
Duce-Gemini: Thanks for the compliment. I've learned English at school for quite some time now, so I guess I should speak it relatively well. Thanks a lot!
Chapter 8
Qui-Gon Jinn was dead tired. He wanted nothing more than to sleep and yet he sat on the couch in the living area of his quarters staring at the vid- screen and not understanding a single word the newscaster said. So Obi-Wan had been abused. Xanatos had been right. Why hadn't Qui-Gon sensed anything? He should have felt that something was wrong immediately upon seeing the boy at the landing pad. And there had been a slight warning in the Force but he had ignored it, deeming it unimportant. What was wrong with his connection to the Force?
His eyes still unfocused, Qui-Gon turned off the vid-screen. The Kenobi boy should be in bed by now, so he could comm Mace. He didn't want the boy to hear him talking to the other Master. He took out his commlink, typed in the frequency, then put it away again, took his cloak and left. Better talk to him in person.
************************
Mace Windu had just put the boy in the small spare room of his quarters and turned off the light when the buzzer of his door sounded. It was Qui-Gon and he didn't look happy.
"May I come in?"
"And hello to you, Qui-Gon. Sure, come in."
Mace closed the door behind his friend and motioned for him to sit on the sofa.
"Do you want something to drink?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Is Obi-Wan asleep?"
"Well, yes, I believe he is. What's the matter Qui-Gon? Did Xanatos tell you something about Calan or about what happened?"
Qui-Gon hesitated, which worried the dark Jedi even more. Qui-Gon never hesitated. If he had something to say, he just said it. But Mace waited.
"Calan told Xanatos that he had abused Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon looked down as he said it and then up at his friend to gauge his reaction. Mace felt like someone had slapped him. He wasn't sure what he had expected but it hadn't been this.
"Qui, this is...I mean...are you sure?"
"Xanatos told me and I have no reason not to believe him."
Mace took a few deep breaths, trying to digest what he had just heard. Of course Qui-Gon was sure. He wouldn't have told him if he wasn't. But a Padawan abused? In the Temple? Without anyone realising it? He couldn't quite believe it. He tried to focus, to react to what he had been told, to somehow ask the other Jedi everything that was important. But what was important now? Mace shook his head to clear away the numbness.
"Abused him mentally or physically?"
"Probably both."
Silence fell between the two men, each lost in his own thoughts until Mace finally spoke.
"Have you talked to Obi-Wan about this?"
"Of course, I haven't. What should I have said to him? 'Is it true that your Master beats you?'"
"Okay, okay, stupid question. So what now?"
"Mace, I don't know. Am I on the Council?"
"What does it have to do with me being on the Council?"
"I...I don't know. Sorry, Mace. It's just...it's a bit disconcerting that something like that could happen here in the Temple without anyone noticing, well, except Xanatos."
Mace stared at the other Jedi. "Xanatos knew about this?"
"He didn't know about it, but he suspected something. And I didn't listen to him." Silence again. "So, what will happen now?"
Mace sighed. "I'll talk to Yoda tomorrow. He will know what to do. Let Obi- Wan sleep in peace for now. He's safe here."
Qui-Gon nodded and stood up. At the door he turned around, looking at Mace again as if there was more he wanted to tell his friend, but he just said "Good night." and left.
It would not be a good night. Mace was certain of that.
**********************
Obi-Wan lay in his bed listening to Master Windu walking around in the apartment.
He was staring at the traffic outside the window when he heard the buzzer of the door and someone come into the apartment. He recognised the voice of Master Jinn but couldn't understand what the two men were talking about.
Obi-Wan sighed, looking up at the ceiling. He wondered where his Master was and why he hadn't returned to the Temple. And why did he have to stay with Master Windu? It wasn't as if he was a little child. He was perfectly capable of being on his own. After some time he heard Master Jinn leave again and after a few more minutes all other sounds in the apartment ceased as well, indicating that Master Windu had gone to bed.
Obi-Wan looked at the moving speeders outside again. He would have loved to open the window so he could hear the sounds of the city. But he knew that he would wake Master Windu if he did and he really didn't want to risk the Jedi's wrath. It was the last thought before he fell asleep.
***************************
Mace Windu had trained only one Padawan before he had obtained his seat on the Council. He always told himself that he would one day retire from this responsibility and take another apprentice, but for now he was used to living alone. So it came as a surprise when the first thing he heard upon waking was someone working in the small kitchen he so rarely used. It took him a moment before he could connect the sounds with the events of the last day. Then he got out of bed, dressed and walked out of his room.
He was greeted by the sight of a fully laid table. A bit confused, he made his way to the kitchen and saw Obi-Wan with a tea-pot in his hands.
"Good morning, Obi-Wan."
"Good morning, Master Windu. I hope you slept well."
Mace realised that the boy didn't meet his eyes when he spoke to him but kept them downcast.
"Yes, I did. How about you?"
Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment as if he hadn't expected to be asked a question in return. Then he replied in a small voice, "I slept well, Master Windu."
Mace smiled at him but Obi-Wan didn't look up.
"How about we eat now, Obi-Wan? The things you've prepared look delicious."
The boy gave him a shy smile and went into the common room. They ate in silence and Mace took the time to observe the apprentice. Obi-Wan didn't bear any marks that would hint at abuse. But it was obvious that something was wrong. The boy was overly shy and had his shields up at all times. As he looked at the Padawan now, Mace vowed that they would find a way to keep Obi-Wan at the Temple. He wouldn't consent to sending him away now. Obi-Wan deserved better.
********************
Xanatos woke after a restless sleep. He felt just as exhausted as he had the evening before. He had dreamed something again and again, each time waking up only to fall asleep again and have the same dream once more. He couldn't remember what the dream had been about. After lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling for quite some time, Xanatos finally decided to get up and do something productive, like make breakfast. After all, Qui-Gon was always pleased if he did, maybe because it was such a rare occurrence since Xanatos wasn't exactly known for being a morning person.
The Padawan prepared tea and set the table. When he was done he sat down in the common room and started reading. He needed something to do. It wasn't long before Qui-Gon came out of his room. The Master smiled at Xanatos upon seeing the breakfast and together they sat down and ate. Qui-Gon started talking after a few minutes.
"I went to see Mace yesterday and told him about Obi-Wan. He will ask Yoda for advice."
Xanatos nodded. "May I see him today? I thought I might get him to talk a bit."
Qui-Gon hesitated. He knew that there were still some unresolved issues that needed to be addressed. He also knew that the burn on Xanatos' chest had been from Calan's lightsabre and that he should ask him about the other Master, but he guessed the Kenobi boy was more important at the moment. And maybe Xanatos could really reach the boy. Obi-Wan seemed to trust him to a certain degree. Qui-Gon nodded slowly.
"I think it would be a good idea, Padawan."
Xanatos smiled at him but still the worry remained.
***************************
Qui-Gon had spoken to Master Windu, who had agreed that Xanatos could spend some time with Obi-Wan while the Master spoke to Yoda. So now the older Padawan was on his way to Master Windu's quarters, a bit apprehensive and without the least idea how to start a conversation with Obi-Wan. He supposed it would just come naturally to him. He had always been quite good with children. But up to now, the children he had had to deal with had been initiates whose worst experience had consisted of a fight with a fellow crèche mate or a reprimand from one of the Masters. Obi-Wan was different and Xanatos had no idea how to deal with that.
Upon reaching Master Windu's quarters he pushed the buzzer and waited. Xanatos knew that the Master was already gone so it came as no surprise that Obi-Wan opened the door. The older Padawan smiled down at the boy who greeted him formally with a bow.
"Are you in the mood for a little walk, Obi-Wan?"
"Of course, Padawan Xanatos."
Xanatos almost had to laugh at the formal reply. "Just Xanatos will be fine. I'm not much older than you, remember?"
Obi-Wan looked at him as if he thought that Xanatos was trying to pull his leg but followed him out the door and in the direction of one of the meditation gardens. They didn't talk on the way there and once they had reached their destination, Xanatos sat down beside the fountains where he had first talked to Obi-Wan privately. The young Padawan sat down beside him and then looked out over the small lake.
Xanatos waited. Maybe the boy would start talking when he wanted to. It took longer than he had thought it would and when Obi-Wan finally spoke, it wasn't what the older Padawan had expected.
"Did Master Jinn punish you?"
Xanatos swivelled around to face him. "Why should he have punished me?"
Obi-Wan looked at him as if he had lost his mind. He was clearly confused. "Because of the disruption in the bond, when we were down on the lower levels. Master Jinn told me that something had disrupted the bond and I just thought..." Upon seeing the confused look on Xanatos' face, Obi-Wan trailed away and then said timidly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply...I just thought that...I wanted to say that I didn't mean to cause any trouble." Xanatos still stared at him and Obi-Wan averted his eyes, whispering, "I'm sorry."
Xanatos shook his head. What was the boy talking about? What did he mean by disruption? Had Qui-Gon told him about the darkness he must have felt in his Padawan? No, he couldn't imagine that. Qui-Gon would never to that. He recalled again that Obi-Wan might have a totally distorted view of the Jedi and their ways caused by Calan's treatment. He decided that the best way to reach Obi-Wan would probably be to ask him directly about those views.
"Obi-Wan, it's okay to ask if you want to know something. What do you think would have warranted a punishment?"
Obi-Wan looked thoughtful for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip and looking more than ever like a small child.
"Master Jinn said that something had happened to you and that he had felt it through the bond."
The boy stopped there, obviously thinking that this was all the explanation needed. As this didn't seem to be going anywhere, Xanatos tried an explanation of his own.
"Well, I was in a bit of trouble. It's normal that Master Jinn should feel it. That's what the bond is for."
Obi-Wan looked at him confusedly and Xanatos realised that talking to this boy would indeed be much harder than it had originally seemed. But at least Obi-Wan was talking to him now. Suddenly, however, Obi-Wan seemed to get more worried as if he suddenly remembered something he had completely forgotten about. For a moment he looked ready to get up and leave but instead he addressed Xanatos again.
"Do you sometimes disobey your Master?"
Xanatos was completely taken aback by the sudden change of topic and by this particular question but he decided to go along with it. Pressure would accomplish nothing here.
"Yes, I guess sometimes I disobey my Master."
"Why?"
It was a simple enough question but Xanatos found that he had difficulty explaining this to a Junior Padawan whose disobedience had likely had disastrous consequences in the past.
"Well, sometimes there are things that are simply more important than obedience. Sometimes the Force tells you what to do and if you really feel that it would be right to do something else than what you were told, then you should do it. It's why we're told to trust in the Force because sometimes it guides us better than any teacher ever could." Xanatos stopped here and after a moment of hesitation he added, "And sometimes it's not even the Force that guides us but our own personalities."
Obi-Wan looked at him thoughtfully as if he was trying to gauge how much he could trust this older Padawan who was telling him such different things than his Master. He took a deep breath, maybe working up the courage to ask yet another question.
"But how do I know that what I feel is more right than what I am told? I'm only a Padawan."
Only a Padawan. How often had Xanatos felt exactly like that?
"You just know. You have to trust in yourself. You know, your personality is what comes from deep within you. It is what you are without any training. It's true, you are a Padawan to your Master, but you are also a friend to Garen or Reeft and a pupil to me and many others. But first and foremost you are Obi-Wan Kenobi. Without any title or description. Always trust in that, no matter what happens."
Xanatos wondered whether this was too much to understand for the boy but he remembered that he had hated nothing more when he was a child than not being taken seriously by adults and he didn't intend to make the same mistake, especially not with this boy.
Obi-Wan let his gaze rest on the lake, then suddenly stood up and looked down at Xanatos.
"I would like to go back to Master Windu, now." It was spoken softly but no longer hesitantly.
Xanatos stood up as well, smiled at the boy and together they left the garden.
The older Padawan took Obi-Wan to Master Windu's quarters and let him in. Mace had given him the number earlier.
"How about I see you tomorrow, Obi-Wan? Maybe we could talk again."
Obi-Wan nodded and gave him a small smile. "I would like that."
Xanatos grinned at him. "See you tomorrow then. Good bye, Obi-Wan."
"Good bye, Xanatos." Xanatos turned around and started to walk away when Obi-Wan suddenly spoke again. "Master Calan forbade me to see you."
Xanatos turned around and looked at the boy. What? Calan forbade his Padawan to see him? Why? Before he could dwell on it, the smaller Padawan spoke again. "But I feel that it is right to talk to you."
Xanatos looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm sure it's okay, Obi-Wan."
The smaller Padawan nodded slowly, then looked up, smiled at Xanatos and closed the door.
Xanatos stood there for some time, not quite sure how he had done it but obviously he had accomplished something. Hopeful and a lot more optimistic than this morning he started walking towards his quarters.
Duce-Gemini: Thanks for the compliment. I've learned English at school for quite some time now, so I guess I should speak it relatively well. Thanks a lot!
Chapter 8
Qui-Gon Jinn was dead tired. He wanted nothing more than to sleep and yet he sat on the couch in the living area of his quarters staring at the vid- screen and not understanding a single word the newscaster said. So Obi-Wan had been abused. Xanatos had been right. Why hadn't Qui-Gon sensed anything? He should have felt that something was wrong immediately upon seeing the boy at the landing pad. And there had been a slight warning in the Force but he had ignored it, deeming it unimportant. What was wrong with his connection to the Force?
His eyes still unfocused, Qui-Gon turned off the vid-screen. The Kenobi boy should be in bed by now, so he could comm Mace. He didn't want the boy to hear him talking to the other Master. He took out his commlink, typed in the frequency, then put it away again, took his cloak and left. Better talk to him in person.
************************
Mace Windu had just put the boy in the small spare room of his quarters and turned off the light when the buzzer of his door sounded. It was Qui-Gon and he didn't look happy.
"May I come in?"
"And hello to you, Qui-Gon. Sure, come in."
Mace closed the door behind his friend and motioned for him to sit on the sofa.
"Do you want something to drink?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Is Obi-Wan asleep?"
"Well, yes, I believe he is. What's the matter Qui-Gon? Did Xanatos tell you something about Calan or about what happened?"
Qui-Gon hesitated, which worried the dark Jedi even more. Qui-Gon never hesitated. If he had something to say, he just said it. But Mace waited.
"Calan told Xanatos that he had abused Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon looked down as he said it and then up at his friend to gauge his reaction. Mace felt like someone had slapped him. He wasn't sure what he had expected but it hadn't been this.
"Qui, this is...I mean...are you sure?"
"Xanatos told me and I have no reason not to believe him."
Mace took a few deep breaths, trying to digest what he had just heard. Of course Qui-Gon was sure. He wouldn't have told him if he wasn't. But a Padawan abused? In the Temple? Without anyone realising it? He couldn't quite believe it. He tried to focus, to react to what he had been told, to somehow ask the other Jedi everything that was important. But what was important now? Mace shook his head to clear away the numbness.
"Abused him mentally or physically?"
"Probably both."
Silence fell between the two men, each lost in his own thoughts until Mace finally spoke.
"Have you talked to Obi-Wan about this?"
"Of course, I haven't. What should I have said to him? 'Is it true that your Master beats you?'"
"Okay, okay, stupid question. So what now?"
"Mace, I don't know. Am I on the Council?"
"What does it have to do with me being on the Council?"
"I...I don't know. Sorry, Mace. It's just...it's a bit disconcerting that something like that could happen here in the Temple without anyone noticing, well, except Xanatos."
Mace stared at the other Jedi. "Xanatos knew about this?"
"He didn't know about it, but he suspected something. And I didn't listen to him." Silence again. "So, what will happen now?"
Mace sighed. "I'll talk to Yoda tomorrow. He will know what to do. Let Obi- Wan sleep in peace for now. He's safe here."
Qui-Gon nodded and stood up. At the door he turned around, looking at Mace again as if there was more he wanted to tell his friend, but he just said "Good night." and left.
It would not be a good night. Mace was certain of that.
**********************
Obi-Wan lay in his bed listening to Master Windu walking around in the apartment.
He was staring at the traffic outside the window when he heard the buzzer of the door and someone come into the apartment. He recognised the voice of Master Jinn but couldn't understand what the two men were talking about.
Obi-Wan sighed, looking up at the ceiling. He wondered where his Master was and why he hadn't returned to the Temple. And why did he have to stay with Master Windu? It wasn't as if he was a little child. He was perfectly capable of being on his own. After some time he heard Master Jinn leave again and after a few more minutes all other sounds in the apartment ceased as well, indicating that Master Windu had gone to bed.
Obi-Wan looked at the moving speeders outside again. He would have loved to open the window so he could hear the sounds of the city. But he knew that he would wake Master Windu if he did and he really didn't want to risk the Jedi's wrath. It was the last thought before he fell asleep.
***************************
Mace Windu had trained only one Padawan before he had obtained his seat on the Council. He always told himself that he would one day retire from this responsibility and take another apprentice, but for now he was used to living alone. So it came as a surprise when the first thing he heard upon waking was someone working in the small kitchen he so rarely used. It took him a moment before he could connect the sounds with the events of the last day. Then he got out of bed, dressed and walked out of his room.
He was greeted by the sight of a fully laid table. A bit confused, he made his way to the kitchen and saw Obi-Wan with a tea-pot in his hands.
"Good morning, Obi-Wan."
"Good morning, Master Windu. I hope you slept well."
Mace realised that the boy didn't meet his eyes when he spoke to him but kept them downcast.
"Yes, I did. How about you?"
Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment as if he hadn't expected to be asked a question in return. Then he replied in a small voice, "I slept well, Master Windu."
Mace smiled at him but Obi-Wan didn't look up.
"How about we eat now, Obi-Wan? The things you've prepared look delicious."
The boy gave him a shy smile and went into the common room. They ate in silence and Mace took the time to observe the apprentice. Obi-Wan didn't bear any marks that would hint at abuse. But it was obvious that something was wrong. The boy was overly shy and had his shields up at all times. As he looked at the Padawan now, Mace vowed that they would find a way to keep Obi-Wan at the Temple. He wouldn't consent to sending him away now. Obi-Wan deserved better.
********************
Xanatos woke after a restless sleep. He felt just as exhausted as he had the evening before. He had dreamed something again and again, each time waking up only to fall asleep again and have the same dream once more. He couldn't remember what the dream had been about. After lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling for quite some time, Xanatos finally decided to get up and do something productive, like make breakfast. After all, Qui-Gon was always pleased if he did, maybe because it was such a rare occurrence since Xanatos wasn't exactly known for being a morning person.
The Padawan prepared tea and set the table. When he was done he sat down in the common room and started reading. He needed something to do. It wasn't long before Qui-Gon came out of his room. The Master smiled at Xanatos upon seeing the breakfast and together they sat down and ate. Qui-Gon started talking after a few minutes.
"I went to see Mace yesterday and told him about Obi-Wan. He will ask Yoda for advice."
Xanatos nodded. "May I see him today? I thought I might get him to talk a bit."
Qui-Gon hesitated. He knew that there were still some unresolved issues that needed to be addressed. He also knew that the burn on Xanatos' chest had been from Calan's lightsabre and that he should ask him about the other Master, but he guessed the Kenobi boy was more important at the moment. And maybe Xanatos could really reach the boy. Obi-Wan seemed to trust him to a certain degree. Qui-Gon nodded slowly.
"I think it would be a good idea, Padawan."
Xanatos smiled at him but still the worry remained.
***************************
Qui-Gon had spoken to Master Windu, who had agreed that Xanatos could spend some time with Obi-Wan while the Master spoke to Yoda. So now the older Padawan was on his way to Master Windu's quarters, a bit apprehensive and without the least idea how to start a conversation with Obi-Wan. He supposed it would just come naturally to him. He had always been quite good with children. But up to now, the children he had had to deal with had been initiates whose worst experience had consisted of a fight with a fellow crèche mate or a reprimand from one of the Masters. Obi-Wan was different and Xanatos had no idea how to deal with that.
Upon reaching Master Windu's quarters he pushed the buzzer and waited. Xanatos knew that the Master was already gone so it came as no surprise that Obi-Wan opened the door. The older Padawan smiled down at the boy who greeted him formally with a bow.
"Are you in the mood for a little walk, Obi-Wan?"
"Of course, Padawan Xanatos."
Xanatos almost had to laugh at the formal reply. "Just Xanatos will be fine. I'm not much older than you, remember?"
Obi-Wan looked at him as if he thought that Xanatos was trying to pull his leg but followed him out the door and in the direction of one of the meditation gardens. They didn't talk on the way there and once they had reached their destination, Xanatos sat down beside the fountains where he had first talked to Obi-Wan privately. The young Padawan sat down beside him and then looked out over the small lake.
Xanatos waited. Maybe the boy would start talking when he wanted to. It took longer than he had thought it would and when Obi-Wan finally spoke, it wasn't what the older Padawan had expected.
"Did Master Jinn punish you?"
Xanatos swivelled around to face him. "Why should he have punished me?"
Obi-Wan looked at him as if he had lost his mind. He was clearly confused. "Because of the disruption in the bond, when we were down on the lower levels. Master Jinn told me that something had disrupted the bond and I just thought..." Upon seeing the confused look on Xanatos' face, Obi-Wan trailed away and then said timidly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply...I just thought that...I wanted to say that I didn't mean to cause any trouble." Xanatos still stared at him and Obi-Wan averted his eyes, whispering, "I'm sorry."
Xanatos shook his head. What was the boy talking about? What did he mean by disruption? Had Qui-Gon told him about the darkness he must have felt in his Padawan? No, he couldn't imagine that. Qui-Gon would never to that. He recalled again that Obi-Wan might have a totally distorted view of the Jedi and their ways caused by Calan's treatment. He decided that the best way to reach Obi-Wan would probably be to ask him directly about those views.
"Obi-Wan, it's okay to ask if you want to know something. What do you think would have warranted a punishment?"
Obi-Wan looked thoughtful for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip and looking more than ever like a small child.
"Master Jinn said that something had happened to you and that he had felt it through the bond."
The boy stopped there, obviously thinking that this was all the explanation needed. As this didn't seem to be going anywhere, Xanatos tried an explanation of his own.
"Well, I was in a bit of trouble. It's normal that Master Jinn should feel it. That's what the bond is for."
Obi-Wan looked at him confusedly and Xanatos realised that talking to this boy would indeed be much harder than it had originally seemed. But at least Obi-Wan was talking to him now. Suddenly, however, Obi-Wan seemed to get more worried as if he suddenly remembered something he had completely forgotten about. For a moment he looked ready to get up and leave but instead he addressed Xanatos again.
"Do you sometimes disobey your Master?"
Xanatos was completely taken aback by the sudden change of topic and by this particular question but he decided to go along with it. Pressure would accomplish nothing here.
"Yes, I guess sometimes I disobey my Master."
"Why?"
It was a simple enough question but Xanatos found that he had difficulty explaining this to a Junior Padawan whose disobedience had likely had disastrous consequences in the past.
"Well, sometimes there are things that are simply more important than obedience. Sometimes the Force tells you what to do and if you really feel that it would be right to do something else than what you were told, then you should do it. It's why we're told to trust in the Force because sometimes it guides us better than any teacher ever could." Xanatos stopped here and after a moment of hesitation he added, "And sometimes it's not even the Force that guides us but our own personalities."
Obi-Wan looked at him thoughtfully as if he was trying to gauge how much he could trust this older Padawan who was telling him such different things than his Master. He took a deep breath, maybe working up the courage to ask yet another question.
"But how do I know that what I feel is more right than what I am told? I'm only a Padawan."
Only a Padawan. How often had Xanatos felt exactly like that?
"You just know. You have to trust in yourself. You know, your personality is what comes from deep within you. It is what you are without any training. It's true, you are a Padawan to your Master, but you are also a friend to Garen or Reeft and a pupil to me and many others. But first and foremost you are Obi-Wan Kenobi. Without any title or description. Always trust in that, no matter what happens."
Xanatos wondered whether this was too much to understand for the boy but he remembered that he had hated nothing more when he was a child than not being taken seriously by adults and he didn't intend to make the same mistake, especially not with this boy.
Obi-Wan let his gaze rest on the lake, then suddenly stood up and looked down at Xanatos.
"I would like to go back to Master Windu, now." It was spoken softly but no longer hesitantly.
Xanatos stood up as well, smiled at the boy and together they left the garden.
The older Padawan took Obi-Wan to Master Windu's quarters and let him in. Mace had given him the number earlier.
"How about I see you tomorrow, Obi-Wan? Maybe we could talk again."
Obi-Wan nodded and gave him a small smile. "I would like that."
Xanatos grinned at him. "See you tomorrow then. Good bye, Obi-Wan."
"Good bye, Xanatos." Xanatos turned around and started to walk away when Obi-Wan suddenly spoke again. "Master Calan forbade me to see you."
Xanatos turned around and looked at the boy. What? Calan forbade his Padawan to see him? Why? Before he could dwell on it, the smaller Padawan spoke again. "But I feel that it is right to talk to you."
Xanatos looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm sure it's okay, Obi-Wan."
The smaller Padawan nodded slowly, then looked up, smiled at Xanatos and closed the door.
Xanatos stood there for some time, not quite sure how he had done it but obviously he had accomplished something. Hopeful and a lot more optimistic than this morning he started walking towards his quarters.