With a sigh, Qui-Gon resigned himself to the reality that Obi-Wan was not going to make this mission an easy one. First the youth refused to speak more than two sentences at any one time, unless promted for a more thorough answer. Second, he had taken the master bedroom, which should have, by default, gone to Qui-Gon.
Ah well, let him have it, if it'll soothe his feelings. The guest room can't be too bad, Qui-Gon thought, pushing through the door.
The first thing the Knight noticed, other than the large size of the room, were the two comfortable-looking, padded reclining chairs. They were in slightly better shape then the chairs in the main room, in that the stuffing was not oozing out. The fabric was worn away and patches of the insides were visible, but other than that, they looked pretty good.
Well, at least we won't have to replace everything, Qui-Gon thought with a chuckle.
Between the chairs sat a table with an oil lamp upon it. Placing his bags near the doorway, Qui-Gon walked over and picked it up. After a brief inspection revealed that it only needed fuel to function once more, he replaced it and continued his survey.
In front of the chairs, angled into the wall, was another fireplace, complete with a tinderbox and a poker and shovel set. A thick, woven rug, once multi-coloured, adorned the floor before the fireplace. Opposite the chairs and fireplace was a built in closet with drawers for clothes. A large, double-sized bed with a faded, rose-coloured comforter and matching pillows sat in front of the closet. On either side of the bed was a night table with an oil lamp on each and small, tattered, multi-coloured throw rugs upon the floor.
On the wall opposite the door was a small window that looked out onto a clear patch of the farm before the forest blocked his view.
And, over everything, was the several-inch thick layer of dust.
"Well now, this isn't too shabby. Just needs a good dusting, is all," Qui-Gon said to the room, his hands on his hips. He tested the mattress and was pleased to see that it would hold his weight, at least long enough for them to get a replacement.
He moved his belongings from the doorway to the closet and decided to see how his padawan faired.
Qui-Gon knocked gently on the door to the master bedroom and entered after the soft 'come in'.
The master bedroom closely matched the guest room for furniture. A large king-sized bed dominated the room, its head resting against the west wall. Oil lamps sat on the two bedside tables flanking the bed, and throw rugs again decorated the floor. Along the opposite wall from the bed was a large wardrobe where Obi-Wan had placed his baggage.
A fireplace was carved out of the southern wall, situated directly behind the fireplace from the sitting room. A single chair, coupled with another table and rug, reclined before the darkened hearth.
The only difference was one piece of furniture; along the north wall, just a short distance away from the window - whose view was remarkably similar to the guest room - was a very old, very worn vanity table, a few dusty and stained crystalline bottles upon it. The mirror was a modest piece, serving its purpose back when it was new but now warped and cracked.
"I can't wait to see what this looks like when it's been cleared of dust," Qui-Gon said cheerfully.
"I guess." Obi-Wan shrugged and looked around the room.
Qui-Gon, sensing something wrong with his apprentice, raised a brow. "Is everything okay, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan swallowed hard and toed the ground. "I apologize for being so rude to you when we arrived, Master. I guess I'm not handling this change very well."
Qui-Gon gave the boy a warm smile. "I guess I should apologize as well, for what I said. Being a farmer is a noble profession. It's a great tool for understanding the Living Force."
Obi-Wan stopped his fidgeting and looked up at his master. The two held each other's gaze for a long moment before Obi-Wan cleared his throat and looked once more around the room. "If you'd like, Master, we could change rooms? I was upset and being selfish when I took the choice away from you."
"How about we see how things go before we get into that debate, Obi-Wan? We'll help each other dust and then discuss it."
Obi-Wan smiled for the first time since they had arrived. "Deal."
A loud knock on the front door turned both Jedi back to their surroundings. With Padawan following Master, they trekked across the expanse of dust. A questioning glance passed between them, and Qui-Gon opened the door, revealing two local women.
"Good evening. My name is Elanor. This is my niece, Atariel."
Elanor was as tall as Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan noted. Her hair flowed over her shoulders in a chocolate river, curling slightly at the ends. Her eyes were warm, their colour a compliment to the shade of her locks. The features of her face were nobly sculpted; high cheekbones, a regal nose and full lips, now upturned in a welcoming smile, all combined in a classic ensemble. Her complexion was that of a true farmer who spent long hours in the sun.
She was adorned in a simple, light-beige cotton dress. The fabric was delicate and common in these parts during the spring. The neckline was square and modest, and the bodice was closely fitted, but not uncomfortably so. The waist was cinched with a white apron, the full skirt beneath hanging loosely.
Clutched in her hands was a basket. Obi-Wan could only guess at the contents, as a white cloth covered the top, concealing whatever lay inside.
Atariel, on the other hand, was an inch or so shorter than Obi-Wan. Her auburn-coloured hair was tucked behind her ears and barely brushed her shoulders. The tips of her leaf shaped ears poked through the gossamer strands of her locks. Her skin was lightly tanned, a testament to her time spent frolicking in the sun. Pale pink lips sat below a delicate nose, giving her round face a youthful charm.
Adorned in a dress of pale blue, free flowing fabric, the skirt tickled her knees. The edges of the short sleeves and the skirt's hemline were embroidered with tiny seashells in pale yellow thread. She had a belt in the same colour tied at her waist, cinching the dress in place. Upon her feet were white, ankle-high leather boots.
She's beautiful, Obi-Wan thought. And probably no older than I am.
"Hello." Qui-Gon returned Elanor's smile. "I'm Qui-Gon Jinn and this is Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan smiled and added, "It's a pleasure to meet you both."
"We came to welcome you to Agamar," Atariel said. "And to offer you some help with some of the cleaning." She grinned.
Elanor chuckled. "Yes, we knew old Farmer Jones. We also know that this place has been gathering dust since he went to live with his daughter in the city. We figured you could use a hand to make it liveable."
Qui-Gon laughed. "Indeed. Any help you would be willing to give would be greatly appreciated. Please, come in."