Ch. 7: "They Handed Us Down a Dream" - The Hooters, Where do the Children Go?
The small spaceport hummed with life when they left the shuttle from the ship that had brought them there. The evidence of a regular life ease the last of the horror from Obi-Wan's mind, and he breathed a sigh of relief. They left the spaceport to catch the ground transport to the edge of town, and the feel of people around him banished the last of those feelings. They didn't converse on the ride out, the silence between them familiar and comfortable.
No one else walked the path to the monastery that Obi-Wan could see, and that cheered him. The sun had reached its peak when they landed, but the broad-leafed trees shaded them from the worst of the heat. The path brought to mind a lot of memories for Obi-Wan, both good and bad.
The first time he'd walked it, alone, certain he'd murdered his Master, and then the return trip to the space port, nearly at a run, the Force urging him out and away. The second time, he'd walked it – like this time – his master at his side, to return the borrowed staff. Of the two round-trip journeys (three, if he counted this one), he preferred the trips with his Master.
He caught Qui-Gon's inquisitive look out of the corner of his eye, and looked at him. "Yes, Master?"
"You look happy," Qui-Gon said. "Much better than you did when we left the ship."
"I am," Obi-Wan said
"I'm glad. What changed?"
Obi-Wan gestured to their surrounding, taking in the meadows of tall glass beyond the trees lining the path. "I have good memories of this place that outshine the bad."
"That's good to hear," Qui-Gon said.
When they arrived at the monastery, the gates stood open as ever. The flower gardens on the left of the path leading toward the front door added a riot of color. On the right, beings in the blue of the monastery residents worked the vegetable gardens, many of the plants flourishing. A few of the beings looked up as they passed, but Obi-Wan didn't recognize any of them.
"Welcome to the Monastery at Bel Meridah," the porter at the door said when they stopped in front of her. "Can I help you?"
"My name is Bennet Kenobi. I was a resident here."
The woman checked her datapad, then looked up and smiled. "Welcome home," she said. "Your friend?"
"My guest," Obi-Wan said. "He's been here before, and he knows the rules." He wondered if it were as odd to Qui-Gon as it was to him, to be the spokesman for them both.
"Excellent. Welcome," she said to Qui-Gon. "Enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said. "Is Ad'lai available?"
"I believe so," she said. "Do you remember the way?"
"Yes, thank you," Obi-Wan said. He led the way past her, pushing open the large doors entering the hallway. That hadn't changed, the halls matching his memory. He was glad of it.
The secretary this time was a man. Once Obi-Wan identified himself and Qui-Gon, the man informed Ad'lai of his visitors over a comm. At Ad'lai's answer, which they couldn't hear, he gestured them through.
The office looked the same as Obi-Wan remembered. The desk was maybe a little more scratched, and there were a few more books on the shelves, but not much else had changed. Ad'lai himself was much the same, too; there were more lines about his eyes, but they were as warm as they had been the first time he'd been in here, as was his smile. "Please, Bennet, Master Jinn, sit down," Ad'lai said with a gesture. He guided his hover-chair around the desk.
Obi-Wan and his master sat down, and Ad'lai's chair drifted closer to them. "It is good to see you again. I hope the reason for your visit is a good one."
"Yes," Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan listened as his Master went on to explain their mission. "It would be an honor," Qui-Gon added. "Miro is interested in the materials used, in the construction, and would like a closer look. He believes the knowledge could help with our own practices."
Ad'lai steepled his fingers together and studied the Jedi over them. "I see no reason why not," he said. "If Merrick asks, tell him I give my permission. But he makes the final decision; they are his."
"Thank you," Qui-Gon said, and they both stood and bowed.
"It seems your old life agrees with you, Ben," Ad'lai said, smiling at Obi-Wan.
"It does, thank you," Obi-Wan said, smiling in response.
"You know who to see about the clothes if you wish to remain unnoticed, and about housing. How long will you stay?"
"No more than two nights," Qui-gon said. "We will take you up on the offer of clothes, thank you."
Ad'lai nodded. "I hope your stay is productive."
Once out of the office, Obi-Wan took the lead again, going straight to get them a change of clothes. He explained he'd only be there two days, and that they'd be speaking with Merrick; the woman there smiled and gave them both an extra change of clothes with the markers to identify the bags of clothes they would leave on her shelf. Taking the bags and the markers, they changed in the dressing rooms for the purpose, and returned the bags with their clothes in them. Hefting his pack on his shoulder, Obi-Wan led the way out again, going to find Merrick.
The weapons Salle hadn't changed much either, although the mats on the floor looked like they'd been replaced. Merrick stood where he always had, watching two men spar with the metal staves that were his specialty. He dressed like the rest of the men there, in the blue of the monastery, but with a wariness to his eyes that most of the men didn't have. Around the two he watched, others were also busy, some working on fighting without weapons, others sparing with staves or even the blades, a few going through exercises like his lightsaber katas. Against the wall to his right stood a racks of weapons, staves and blades, and padding for those sparing. Obi-Wan paused in the doorway, watching a moment and taking in the familiar smell of sweat, before venturing into the Salle. He carefully avoided those working, weaving between the groups as he made his way to the center where Merrick stood. Merrick's attention had shifted to him as he approached, and he nodded a greeting. "May I help you?"
Obi-Wan bowed. "I hope so. I've come to get a refresher course in using a staff," he said, a gleam in his eye.
Merrick's eyes narrowed, studying him, then widened with delight. "Bennet!" he exclaimed, and pulled Obi-Wan into a hug. "Welcome back!" Merrick let him go, and extended a hand to Qui-Gon. "It is good to see you again, too," he said when Qui-Gon took it with a smile.
Obi-Wan grinned. "Thanks, it's good to see you, too. Do you have a minute?"
Merrick glanced at the two men sparring. "I will soon. Can you wait?"
"Yes."
"Good. Grab a staff and get used to the feel again. You're welcome to use one of the blades, if you'd like," Merrick added to Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon bowed.
Obi-Wan led the way to the racks, picking out a staff. He joined a group going through drills, eyes on the man leading them. Qui-Gon did the same with a smaller group working with a blade.
It didn't take Obi-Wan long to fall into the rhythm of the drills. He forgot everything external as he wove through the basic steps and positions he'd learned and mastered years ago. When Merrick called for a general stop, Obi-Wan followed the directive with some regret, wishing it could have continued longer. He went with the rest of the students to replace the staff before rejoining Merrick and Qui-Gon in the back of the room. Merrick turned and led the way into his office.
The office resembled Merrick in its simplicity and functionality. A work bench took up one corner, cleared of debris and tools, and a staff (one of the collapsing kind, Obi-Wan noted) leaning against it. A desk took up another corner, the surface clear. Two chairs sat against the wall under the window that looked out over the Saale. Merrick ushered them into those and pulled the chair from his desk to face them. "What brings you back to the Monastery, and my part of it in particular?" he asked, getting comfortable.
Qui-Gon explained. Obi-wan watched Merrick, trying to gauge his reaction. When Qui-Gon finished, Merrick looked thoughtful.
"How long are you staying?" he asked, startling Obi-Wan. What did that have to do with anything?
Qui-Gon remained serene. "Only a couple of days," he said.
"Then you can stay with me, I have room for you both, and we can discuss it in further detail."
Qui-Gon nodded his acceptance, and Merrick smiled. "Good, thank you. Since we have a little time before late meal, I'd like to evaluate how much skill Ben has lost in the last five years before I give him his refresher course."
Obi-Wan perked up at that and glanced at his Master. He could feel Qui-Gon's amusement through the bond.
"I'd like to see that as well," Qui-Gon said.
"Excellent," Merrick said with a rare smile, and stood. Obi-Wan excused himself and went to get some padding and to select a staff from the racks, meeting Merrick in the middle of the floor. Qui-Gon stood outside the ring marked on the mats, relaxed.
Merrick started with a slow exchange of blows, much like the first time he evaluated Obi-Wan's skill. Obi-Wan returned the strikes with confidence, without the Force, the way he'd learned to use it the first time. That didn't stop him from seeing the blow heading for his ribs that he wouldn't be able to block or avoid. It knocked him backwards, and Merrick grounded his staff. "Not bad," he said, sounding only a little out of breath. "You're used to the blade, but I expected that."
Obi-Wan had to pause to catch his breath. He wondered briefly if he'd have a bruise in spite of the padding, and figured he probably would. He didn't care either way. "Thank you," he said. "Will you have time for a refresher lesson?" He could feel Qui-Gon's approval through the bond, and glanced at him with a smile.
"I would be honored," Merrick said. "If you have time, and on one condition."
"What is that?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I'd like to have a real spar with Ben tomorrow afternoon. I have time for a one-on-one lesson with him in the morning."
"Agreed," Qui-Gon said. "I look forward to it."
Obi-Wan refrained from a thoroughly un-Jedi-like cheer, but he caught the glimmer in his master's eyes and knew he'd felt Obi-Wan's excitement.
"For now, though, we have just enough time before late meal to clean up," Merrick said.
Obi-Wan went to return his staff and the padding, listening as Merrick and Master Jinn discussed teaching strategies. He thanked the Force one more time for leading him to two of the best teachers he could ask for.