LianneZ4 – You may hear about some deviations from JA and TPM, but I am not going to specifically show what happened in this universe. Qui-Gon and Anakin are definitely around and involved in this story. As for where things are going, I will leave you guessing.
Chapter 9
The boy sitting in front of Obi-Wan was trying to mask his emotions. The Jedi knight thought to tell him not to worry, that the shields of a 12-year-old initiate were not strong enough to hide the potent mixture of anticipation and doubt from him, but that would probably only make the boy more nervous.
Qui-Gon was right. Crion continued to look more like his father every day. The startling blue eyes and dark raven hair, combined with pale skin had to make anyone in the Temple who had ever known Xanatos take a second glance. It was the inner light that shined from the boy that set him apart from what Obi-Wan remembered of Xanatos.
"That was quite a match," Obi-Wan said, finally breaking an awkward silence. "I thought for certain that Padawan Talik had you there for a while. You have a gift for keeping your focus."
"Thank you, Knight Kenobi," Crion said with a polite nod of his head.
"The verbal antagonizing at the end was unnecessary," Obi-Wan added.
"He needed to hear it," Crion shot back without hesitation. "Seriously, a Jedi can't afford to lose focus or get too full of himself in a fight. Bror's going to get someone killed one of these days."
"Perhaps, but that is for his master to address, not you. The graceful and proper thing to do after defeating your opponent would have been to bow and walk away."
Crion lowered his head at the reprimand, reigning in heated emotions as though he were a padawan with five more years of training. It was a good glimpse for Obi-Wan of how his new pupil handled chastisement.
"Have you given thought to where the Force might be calling you?" Obi-Wan continued.
Crion let out a dry chuckle. "I have a few months until I turn thirteen and haven't been chosen as an apprentice. I think about it every day."
"Of course." Obi-Wan tried to soften his expression. The tense lines on Crion's face made him wonder if he was sounding too severe. He briefly wondered how Qui-Gon always managed to get that perfect mix of sternness and empathy. "And what do you feel the Force is telling you?" he prompted.
"I don't want to presume on the Force. I could be reading it all wrong, but I still feel that I am supposed to be a knight. It's just that no masters have seemed interested." Crion shrugged. "I mean, I know I'm not perfect, but I do well and work very hard."
Obi-Wan wished he could tell the boy that it was, in fact, nothing he had done or failed to do. It was the simple issue of being born to the wrong father. But he couldn't. He and Master Yoda had agreed that Crion was far too young to learn the truth of his parentage. The knowledge would be too much for such young shoulders to bear.
There were issues, however, that did need to be addressed before he eased the boy's concerns over his future. Crion visibly paled when Obi-Wan pulled out a datapad.
"Let me guess – my disciplinary record?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, offering a pleasant smile. "I honestly do not see anything here that is too horrible - minor episodes of mischief, some instances of foul language, mostly verbal baiting like you exhibited in the arena today." Obi-Wan dropped the datapad down on the bench next to him. "I assure you, my record was every bit as colorful. I am encouraged that I see very few instances of fighting, none of which you started. The crèche masters say that you do have a temper, but are very capable of keeping it in check."
"I haven't found a good enough reason to fight someone," Crion said shrugging again. "There are two types in the crèche, those who fight because they are bullies, and those who just seem to attract the attention of bullies. I don't fall into either one. Bullies want someone who gets upset about being hassled, and I frankly don't care. Yeah, I get angry, but I am not going to lower myself to that level. Besides, I wiped the floor with Bror Talik a couple of times, and everyone pretty much leaves me alone now."
"Not something to gloat about," Obi-Wan reminded gently. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. "I spoke with the caretaker who has known you longest earlier today. She described you as pleasant, relatively easy-going, and comfortable in your own skin. She does worry about your arrogance and lack of respect for authority, however."
"I do respect those over me."
"Your record shows that you respect those over you up until the point that you think you know better than they," Obi-Wan corrected.
"Doesn't my record also show that I am usually right in those cases?"
Crion looked up at Obi-Wan as though not understanding how this could possibly be a problem. That would be the arrogance the caretaker mentioned.
"I can't have a padawan who second guesses my orders when we are out in the real galaxy," Obi-Wan explained. "Our safety at times may depend on you doing exactly as I say and yielding to my greater experience."
Crion's brows furrowed, a question he was reluctant to ask forming on his lips. "What if you're wrong?" he finally asked hesitantly.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, already recognizing where he and his new apprentice were going to butt heads.
"Then you do the proper padawan thing, and allow your master to make a mistake. There will be times you will have to bail me out of a bad decision," Obi-Wan said with a smile. "That happened to me with my master."
Crion's eyes widened in horrified shock. Obi-Wan couldn't help but to laugh. "Crion, are you so certain that I am going to get us both killed?"
"No, no, Knight Kenobi," the boy replied. "It's just … would I ever have a say in anything … will you ever at some point listen to me?"
"Of course, Crion," Obi-Wan said gently. "It is the only way for you to learn, but it will be gradual. We will need time to build trust, and I am afraid that in life-threatening situations, there is not always time to bring our course of action to a vote." Obi-Wan paused before insistently adding, "I have to know that you will listen."
"I understand," Crion said, nodding his head in acceptance. There were still lingering doubts, but Obi-Wan sensed those would fade in time.
"I would like the opportunity to train you, if you would consider becoming my apprentice," Obi-Wan said with a sense of formality.
"I would be honored …"
"You don't have to decide right now. The offer will still be there in a few months."
"No, Knight Kenobi," Crion said with absolute conviction. "I can't think of anyone I would rather be apprenticed to, but … can I speak freely?"
"Please, I want to know what's on your mind … any concerns you may have," Obi-Wan offered.
"I know that you and Master Jinn are very close," the boy said as though asking a question.
"Yes, and I hope that our relationship as master and padawan will be just as close as the one I have with my own master." Obi-Wan leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't think he likes me and I don't know if that will be a problem," the boy admitted.
"What makes you think he doesn't like you?"
"I see him around from time to time. When I talk to him, like today, he always has this weird expression on his face like he just tasted something really bad, or like I'm scorching his eyeballs or something."
Obi-Wan laughed. He didn't mean to, but the image of scorched eyeballs wouldn't leave his mind. He knew the expression Crion referred to quite well. "It wasn't easy for him to see me knighted. Taking a padawan is another big step in my journey as a Jedi. It will take time for him to adjust, but please know that I have talked with him and wouldn't take a padawan that would drive a wedge between us. We have his support."
"Okay," Crion murmured, only half relieved. The boy still seemed like something was bothering him.
"Is there more?" Obi-Wan prompted.
"I don't like Anakin," Crion blurted out, eyes squeezed shut. Before Obi-Wan could answer, he began to clarify. "I mean, he seems like a really nice kid, but he just doesn't get the whole Jedi thing. He doesn't seem to understand what an honor it is to have been chosen as a padawan at all, let alone chosen by Master Jinn. He has no control over his emotions. It freaks me out sometimes. I have seen him totally lose all control in the dining hall."
Crion stared at him unapologetically. There was perhaps a little worry that this would call the whole deal off, but the boy seemed content to have finally released his concern.
"As you know," Obi-Wan began. "All padawans do not have the grasp on their emotions that you have seemed to find at such a young age. Cherish that you have a gift, but don't look down on others. If anything, try to set an example and help if you can." Obi-Wan shifted his position again, resting his chin on folded hands and he continued to think of how best to answer. "That said, I won't deny that I have had to adjust to Anakin's presence in my master's life. Please try to remember that he lived a hard life of slavery for the first nine years of his life, and was raised by his mother. The Jedi world that you have known all your life is very different for him. I believe that you might find the adjustment to life outside the Temple walls just as daunting when we begin missions."
"I didn't think of that," Crion mumbled with a little more humility in his voice.
"I cannot guarantee you are going to like everyone with whom we will have to work. We may even find ourselves joined up with Bror Talik one of these days. The Council sometimes delights in making us face our rivalries. It is part of growing as a Jedi to put our personal feelings aside and become more than we are."
"I understand," Crion said looking down. It was obvious the thoughts of all that faced him in his future were beginning to overwhelm him.
"Padawan," Obi-Wan said, the word awkward to him as it rolled off of his tongue. It took a moment for the boy to realize Obi-Wan had just addressed him. "Just as you are working toward knighthood, I will be working toward becoming a Jedi master. Neither of us is alone." Obi-Wan stood, reaching out to place a hand on his new apprentice's shoulder. "I guess we should go to our audience with the Council and make this official."
"You already scheduled it?"
"I had a sense that you would say 'yes'."
Crion smiled, the expression suddenly melting into a frown as he looked down.
"Kni … Master, I just sparred and am a sweaty, scorched mess. Do I have time to make myself look a little more presentable before I meet the Council for the first time?"
"Of course," Obi-Wan assured him. "I will meet you there."