Dawn arrived on Naboo the next day, the morning sun's rays highlighting the Gungan parade attendants, as well as the Naboo citizens attired in their brightest colored celebration regalia. The glow of the yellow sun reflected also upon the Theed palace and into the window of the young Jedi Knight's room, outlining a figure who lay awake in his bed, pondering his situation.
From outside, he could hear the completely familiar preparations for the Unity Day Parade, as well as the rather persistent knock upon his door that had to be Governor Bibble, but he chose to ignore them both.
Today was a day for reflection, not duty.
And definitely not demands.
Who did he think he was making demands upon the Force? To rant and rave against the very thing that enriched his life, that led him, directed him, not to mention all the Jedi. That harkened to him whenever he called. That had never abandoned him, had never forsaken him, that always spoke to him if only he would listen.
It had been many days since he had just listened.
Focus on the present, not on yourself, his own Master had often told him. He had brushed off Qui-Gon's advice many times in the past, thinking he was above it, but now seemed like the perfect time to heed it.
Obi-Wan grimaced with regret. How dare he think himself wiser than a Master Jedi? Who did he think he was anyway? Taking his own life just because it wasn't going exactly the way he wished it.
Always concentrating on himself, his goals, his future, his position in the Order. He owed Qui-Gon an apology, as well as Padmé.
Recognition, excitement, adventure: A Jedi craves not these things. The graveled voice of Yoda spoke to him as if the ancient Master were standing in the same room.
And for once, the knight crept down into a meditative posture and did nothing but quiet his mind and wait.
Hours passed and the young man continued to ignore the occasional beckoning at his door as well as the urging of his body's need for nourishment. There were more important things that needed to be nourished this day, he told himself. He had drifted away from his true calling. It was time that he put away all of his selfish desires, his prideful ways and become the Jedi that his Master had trained him to be.
When dusk had fallen, the exhausted young knight rose from the floor and attended his bodily functions in the fresher before collapsing upon the bed.
His body was weary, but his soul was recovering. He drifted off to much-neededsleep with a peaceful countenance and a refreshed spirit.
Queen Amidala greeted the earliest risers in the palace dining hall the following morning, sipping her morning caff, her eyes darting to and fro amongst the gathering visitors. The Jedi Knight that had arrived yesterday had been somewhat rude, but perhaps he had been tired as he had said. And he hadn't realized who she was. Besides, she had learned long ago to not judge a holobook by its cover, or a person by a first impression.
She expected to see him any time. Surely Jedi Knights didn't sleep in this late.
Finally, giving in to Sabé's urging that they would be late meeting Boss Nass, the young queen rose from the dining table and led her entourage of handmaidens out of the palace. Upon reaching the final step of the outside staircase before turning toward the Celebration platform, a movement and sound caught her eye to her left and she turned her head, a surprised and delighted smile lighting her face.
Just down the street a bit was the young Knight kneeling on one knee in front of what appeared to be a Gungan youngling who was crying. Padmé watched intently as the Jedi soothed the youngster with what appeared to be some sort of Force trick. He levitated several coins up and out of his grasp before urging the youngling to jump up and snatch them from the air. After some hesitation, the youngster finally did and a gurgling noise escaped the small Gungan's quivering lips that Padmé recognized as laughter. Obi-Wan laughed along with him, a cheerful and rather pleasant sound that reached her ears, and then he rose, taking the youngster's hand in his and leading him down the street.
Thoroughly entranced by the scene, the queen continued to watch as what appeared to be the young Gungan's parent came rushing toward her child, grasping the small shoulders in an embrace and then rising to shake the Jedi's hand firmly.
So much for first impressions, Padmé acknowledged as she finally proceeded to catch up with the handmaidens who had moved on ahead of her. The witnessed actions of this young man were enough to pique her curiosity. Perhaps, this year's Unity Day supervising Knight would be one worth actually getting to know.