Shift: Chapter Three
No riddles, no ambiguous advice. What Master Yoda told me was the truth. At least in his world. And that was the catch wasn't it? This wasn't my world. Somehow, I had passed over into another dimension or something. Was there a lesson to be learned? And if I learned it, would I be able to return to the life I knew? Would I replace myself there as I replaced myself here? Or had we completely switched places? Was my other self fumbling about in my world or was my presence there completely absent? Was Anakin trying to figure out what happened to me? Just as I was here trying to figure it out myself?
Padmé told me to return in an hour, but I needed time to think. I opted to not take a public transport this time and walk the three kilometers back to her apartment. There were so many questions in my head and so far, no answers. Pondering them was only giving me a headache. Perhaps, a strong drink would help. I stepped into the nearest tavern and took a seat at the bar. I wasn't familiar with most of the drinks on the menu, so I ordered something I recognized. It was a favorite amongst the junior padawans, and Reeft, Garen, and I used to drown our anxieties with it.
"One Blue Dwarf," I told the barkeep, ignoring the patrons staring at me. I guess it wasn't all that common to see a Jedi Master visiting a local cantina.
The drink was much more potent than I remembered and I sipped it carefully while ruminating over my strange situation. I was so deep in thought, that I didn't notice the voluptuous female who sat down next to me. I took another taste and quickly glanced sideways at her. She was covered with markings identifying her with the Allya Witch Clan originally from Dathomir. These particular women dabbled in the dark forces and over many decades, had become reliable fortune tellers and mediums. I wanted nothing to do with her, although she seemed extremely interested in me. She had been staring at me for several minutes.
"May I help you?" I finally asked her, turning slightly to view her pale white skin with its black facial markings.
"You're a Jedi," she announced.
A sarcastic reply quickly came to my tongue, although I chose to swallow it. I wasn't in the mood to spar with a witch. "I am," I replied instead, returning my focus to my drink which I'd almost finished.
"A Master of the Light," she continued. "And yet, you walk in darkness: A sojourner in need of restoration."
Okay. That grabbed my attention, but I wasn't about to be seen collaborating with a Dark user. I ordered another drink instead and kept my eyes on the mirror behind the bar.
"Detained in this world you will be until you've atoned for your sin."
She'd lost me. "What sin? What are you talking about?" I whispered without facing her.
"Enlightenment will come," she replied, an answer far vaguer than what I'd hoped for. "At which point you will have to make a choice. You've been given a great opportunity, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I suggest you take advantage of it."
I was going to suggest we step outside to have a more private conversation. Perhaps she would have answers to my questions. However, by the time I decided to face her, she'd vanished. I glanced about the joint to try and catch a glimpse of her, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"Dark Force trickery," I grumbled before tossing a few credits onto the bar. I downed the rest of what remained in my second shot and headed back to the apartment.
By the time I rang the chime next to the door, the liquor had settled and I was feeling rather dizzy. Padmé let me in and remained quiet until I managed to collapse onto the sofa, and then she was on me like a cat on a mouse.
"Let's get something straight. I'm angry. Angrier with you than I ever have been the entire ten years we've been together, but I'm not going to raise my voice. The children are asleep and I don't want to wake them. I don't know what's going on with you, but you need to get your head on straight! We have a family and I can't take care of them by myself! I understand all about what being a Jedi means, so don't start using your career to make excuses. When you're home, I need you to be home! Am I clear?"
Her beautiful face was swirly as if she were underwater. Must be the alcohol. "Yes, ma'am," I replied.
"Good."
Was it really that simple?
"And just to make my point, don't even think about coming to the bedroom. You're sleeping on the couch tonight, mister!"
Agreed. I wouldn't know what to do with myself back there anyway. All I wanted was some sleep. Perhaps by morning, I will have awakened from this dream, or at least my head would be clear. In the meanwhile, I'd lull myself to sleep recalling what that witch had told me.
What sin?