Obi-Wan studied the supposed Sith Lord where he stood, shoulders hunched, hand straying to where his lightsaber should have been. The boy was steeped in the dark side, it oozed from him in a way that made Obi-Wan want to take a shower. There was fear in the way his eyes darted around, counting and re-counting the council members. That the boy was a darksider, Obi-Wan could believe, but a Sith Lord?

"He's dangerous! We should kill him where he stands!" Ki-Adi-Mundi shouted. The boy flinched and bared his teeth like some kind of animal.

"He's a child!" Depa Billaba countered.

"Leave him alone, we cannot." Yoda pointed out. Mace Windu glanced at Yoda from the corner of his eyes, a firm frown set on his face.

"Imprisonment, then?" Obi-Wan asked; he really didn't like where this was going.

"It would be safer." Mace agreed.

"Again, need I remind you: he is a child. There are initiates older than him." Billaba said firmly, her dark eyes flashed, daring her former teacher to challenge her.

Obi-Wan's eyes flicked back to the subject of the argument as the council continued to raise in volume. The boy was focused on Shaak Ti, but even more curious than the object of his fascination was the fact that he had visibly relaxed. No longer were his muscles tense and tight, and although he still did look like he expected to be attacked, the dark side wasn't quite as aggressive around him.

"I will take him as my padawan learner." Shaak Ti said, her voice cutting through the din.

The room was silent.

"Wise, are you sure, this is, Master Ti?" Yoda said frowning, "A great danger, he could be."

"As could any jedi. He is, but a child. A child that has been mistreated and betrayed by his caretaker. If he has fallen to the dark, it is because he knows not of any other way."

Obi-Wan stroked his beard as he contemplated.

"And what do you think, young one?" Obi-Wan asked, finally addressing the boy.

"I am willing to learn." His voice was soft and low, gentle even, but strong, like Aeien silk covered durasteel. He glanced at Obi-Wan from the corner of his eye, recognition was there, along with a hint of awe and a modicum of fear.

"Then, confer upon you, the rank of 'Padawan', the council does."


Starkiller fixed his eyes upon his new master. Calling the jedi 'master', even inside his head, didn't bring the same sort of discomfort that calling Vader the term did. As he followed Shaak Ti out of the council room, he asked the question that was burning in his mind.

"Are you not frightened of me?" His master turned to face him.

"No. Would you rather I was?" She posed. Starkiller tried to lie, to tell her yes, but the words died on his tongue. Why did she have to keep looking at him with those too calm eyes‽

He turned his head away.

"I don't know." He said eventually. She smiled warmly at him.

"It's alright, young one." She placed her hand on his arm. Starkiller pulled away.

"What do want from me? I killed you, so why are you helping me?" His voice never raised, but the intensity of his words couldn't be denied.

"You are still a child, Starkiller, only fifteen. What Vader made you do, and... what he did to you, it doesn't change that fact. You are a child, and children are supposed to be protected." Anger bubbled up in his gut, anger and shame and guilt and fear and grief. His body was cold, a familiar chill, but his cheeks were hot. And she was still looking at him with that same expression, sorrow and concern mingling together.

"Master?" Starkiller asked. Shaak Ti smiled again.

"Let's get you settled into your room and then see about getting you some robes, and after dinner, we'll get you your braid." She was waiting for a response, he realized after an awkwardly long pause.

"Yes, master." He said lowering his head, but when he peeked up at her through his lashes, she was smiling almost fondly. Swallowing thickly, Starkiller followed her down the temple halls.