Author's Notes: Star Wars, as always, belongs to its respective owners. I just write these bits for fun. In this story's case, I am almost certain I read something akin to this 'ceremony' back when I was really into the Star Wars books. This was long ago, in a galaxy far, far away (back in the days before the Prequels were ever announced). Heck! It was before the special edition release. ... Just not as far back as the original release. I am not THAT old! However, I can't quite place where or if I actually read something like this before or if this was my head-cannon on the whole concept.

I am kind of wishing I had not passed my old books along to my little sibling (who did, however, read each one until they fell the rest of the way apart). I also kind of wish the prequels had not killed the books for me back then. I am old enough now to shrug off the slights the movies made against the book fans, but I wasn't back then. Kudos to the "Star Wars: Rebels" series for reminding me what I loved about the series as a whole... The mysticism of the Force, the camaraderie of the fandom, and the quirky sense of humor half veiled in the more sincere scenes. **grins** I will continue writing these one-shots as the inspiration strikes, and as I manage to find (or forcibly create) a free moment to write. Please continue to enjoy these stories as much as I enjoy writing them.

Harmonic Bonds

(Alternative title: Plain Sight)

Shimmering light filtered through crystalline fractals, scattering pale blue flecks around turret where Ezra chose to work. Above him, Lothal made its slow turn around its star while other stars glittered out beyond the planetary curve, while the Ghost made a lazy turn in its upper atmosphere. Below him, Kanan and the crew waited patiently while he finished several weeks of painstakingly detailed work.

With a sigh, Ezra lowered his hand, hiding the precious crystal cradled there from the light. "Well, at least I know this thing will be blue...if I can coax you to sing the proper tune." He settled the crystal back into its nest of cloths before turning his attention to the tools spread across his lap atop a layer of heat shielding material. "And to do that, your case needs a little more work."

A hollow tube laid there, delicate circuitry etched along its innards like gossamer lace. Into this small diameter, Ezra gazed for several long moments before leaning his head back against his chair with another sigh. "Kanan says this is all about sound; that when you sing the proper pitch I will know. Well…. I guess there is only one way to find out."

Letting his head fall forward, Ezra closed his eyes and reached out to the Force. Around him, details gained more clarity, light bending into halos of color and sound heightening until it nearly bled into light. This was the cusp of full meditation, the edge between full submersion in the grand chords of life and the waking world. Here, in this special state Kanan called "Harmony", the world sang in a million voices and one alone.

Every planet, every solar system, every trace of light filled with dancing dust motes vibrated in time with the single grand note that made insignificant atoms into the building blocks of all matter in creations. For a moment, Ezra basked in the sound, feeling a rush of joy at the complexity of harmonies converging just beyond the Ghost's window. Each person sang their own distinct voice; each plant tolled its own chord, and every speck of life within Ezra's burgeoning senses joined in one grand symphony.

Within the Ghost's metal skin, other voices sang as well, and Ezra smiled an inward smile for each in turn before narrowing his focus to the tiny bit of metal in his hands. Compared to the sounds of the universe around him, the advanced circuitry meant to house the sliver of kaiber crystal suddenly seemed idiotically simplistic. So much so, Ezra almost laughed, which would have shattered his concentration completely. He knew so much because laughter had ruined his efforts twice so far, and tears of utter joy had rained upon the first attempt…which Kanan promised to keep to himself as he himself admittedly cried when first shown the path to Harmony.

It was a Jedi rite of passage…or something like that.

Just so, Ezra tamped the feelings down quickly. The smile graced his face but a moment before his face fell passive and his hands gently laid the chamber at just the right angle. As his consciousness meshed with the music he felt more than heard, Ezra's hands rose of their own accord. He gestured like a conductor to his musicians, and tools drifted free from gravity to hover above the slender cylinder. Flame touched to solder and the symphony began.

This circuit crosses here. That gate must be canted a micron to the right. A touch of solder there, and a micro-gram shaved off in that corner. On and on, hour blending into hour as the afternoon wore into night. Slowly, the hilt took shape, a hand and a half with a simple pommel. Then the guard tapered to fit a slight hand with room to grow and…a trigger? Yes. That was indeed a trigger, hidden inside the guard. Ezra smiled.

The Force was full of surprises, it seemed, and each voice was indeed unique. Catching the concept more by instinct than purpose, Ezra nudged the gate another micron to the right and soldered a new path into the circuitry. Nearby, the crystal hummed its acquiescence. This housing would suit it well.

One last adjustment and a new sound entered Ezra's mind. Piercing and sweet, the crystal sang acceptance as it drifted slowly into place. A final wave of his hand, and the compartment spun closed, the crystal hidden by a half-twist of metal and tucked safely under the guard where stray blasters could not mar its careful calibrations.

Ezra's hands lowered as a newly minted light saber dropped gracefully into his lap.

The descent from harmonic convergence was slow and filled with a sense of loss that bordered on grief. When he finally opened his eyes, Ezra was not surprised to find his sight blurred by tears. Sniffling once, he wiped his sleeve across his face and took a deep breath. "Find your center Ezra," he repeated earlier instructions aloud, "Ground yourself before you fly too far." He did not finish as his master had: "Some padawan drift too long and never return the same…if at all."

A few deep breaths and Ezra shook himself awake, standing so suddenly the deck seemed to tilt akimbo. "Let's see what we ended up with."

He turned the saber hilt over in his hands, inspecting its mottled casing and leather wrapped grips. Sliding his hands in place, he tested the heft and balance – easily done despite the absence of an active blade. Light weighs next to nothing, after all. He fingered the activation switch for a moment before shaking his head. "I have no doubt you are going to sing like an angel, but let's just have Kanan give you a once over just to make sure." Ezra smirked, "Just wait until Kanan gets a load of you. No hiding in a box or hanging in pieces for this saber! I can where you right out in the open and no one will be the wiser. Just another custom blaster on another space jockey's hip."

With a contented sigh, Ezra ran his hand along the hilt a final time before letting his hand drop. Exhaustion began its slow creep up from his toes even as he knelt to open the turret hatch. Still, he could not help but grin. Kanan had been clever, hiding his saber as seemingly harmless bits of junk hanging from his belt, but this was something else entirely.

Some thought the first rule of survival on the streets was to remain hidden. In truth, it was better to hide in plain sight. Say the right words in the right way and walk with a lofty tilt to your hip and even a beggar could look like a wealthy merchant.

It was time to take a stand against the Empire, and this saber was Ezra's first self-made proclamation of war. The days of running were over. Now it was time for the Jedi to hide in plain sight.