With what felt like a case of déjà vu, Obi-Wan stood in front of the Council awaiting their decision. He already packed his bags the night before when he returned from the training stall for the last time. He was being negative and giving into self-pity, but he couldn't help it. Years of practicing and following the Jedi Code and what did he get in the end. Rejection. He had wanted so badly to be a Jedi, but if this was what the Force wanted of him, who was he to question it?

To say that having the Council staring at him was unnerving would be an understatement. He was strongly fighting the need to squirm and shrink under their gaze. If they were sending him away, why couldn't they just say it and get the whole meeting over with and let him move on with his life. Obi-Wan's gaze landed on Master Yoda, and tried to voice silently his need to know what was to happen to him.

Fortunately Yoda took pity and decided that now was better than later, "Send to the AgriCorps you think we will?"

"Yes Master."

"Mistake that would be. Found, we have, a new Master if agree you do."

"Yes Master," came Obi-Wan's quick reply.

The chamber door opened and Obi-Wan turned to address his new Master. He was shocked to see the identity of the man. A legendary Jedi was going to be his Master. He wondered what he had done to be paired with such a figure. He was dismissed by the rest of the Knights and Masters for years, picked on and teased because he was a little clumsy, sent to the AgriCorp, saved and became a Padawan to Master Jinn only to be ignored and forgotten. What had he done that would impress this Jedi?

"Master Dooku, meet Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi," Master Windu's rich dark voice introduced the two that were to be paired as Master and Padawan.

Obi-Wan gave a deep bow towards Dooku, eyes glancing to the right in a sign of respect, "Hello Master Dooku."

He could feel Dooku's eyes evaluating him from his bowed position, probably making notes of what was to be addressed and changed to the long list of things needed to be improved upon, "And to you Padawan Kenobi," Dooku's deep and charismatic voice answered, "If it will please the Council, I would like to take Padawan Kenobi to our new quarters to prepare for this evening."

Yoda nodded in accent, "May the Force be with you."

The pair left the Chamber in silence and didn't speak until the door of their new quarters closed. Obi-Wan was directed to the couch in the commons room, while Dooku headed for the Master bedroom. Obi-Wan looked around noticing it was nicer than the one he was assigned with Master Jinn. Probably because Dooku's a distinguished Master, older and more experienced. He heard the door of the Master bedroom open bringing his attention to his new Master entering the room with a shaver and a good sized box.

"First things first Obi-Wan, we have to sever the bond between you and your former Master," Dooku couldn't hold back the malice when he spoke of his former Padawan. He thought he had heard Yoda wrong the night before. He raised his Padawan, albeit not the way he truly wanted, but well enough that he was sure Qui-Gon would never be this negligent. The poor boy was floundering in the Force and his Master leaves him to search for some ghost. Well if Qui-Gon couldn't see the potential in young Kenobi perhaps it had been a mistake to allow the man to take on other Padawans.

He was not so lost in his thoughts that he missed the bitter, "What bond?" Dooku gave him a look of explanation, so Obi-Wan continued, "The only bond we had was frail and silk thin. He severed it during his mission to Melida/Daan. I didn't even feel it. I guess he wasn't the hero I thought," the last part coming out a whisper more to himself than to anyone.

Dooku nodded his head in understanding and cursed his former Padawan again for what he had put this boy through, "Nothing is ever as it seems young Kenobi. This is a lesson you will have to learn before you can be Knighted, and I will see to it that you do," it was an indirect promise, but one none the less. "Now let us get your hair and braid looking presentable. That is one thing you must learn about me my Padawan. I expect nothing less then your very best and pride in your appearance. You are a reflection of me and my position, and we can not have you running around looking like a mongrel."

"Yes Master." Obi-Wan thought that he could handle this. It wasn't different than what he thought of himself. He did something to perfection, and always prided himself on looking well dressed and clean.

"I have been given free reign in training you so if what I do is not what others have done think nothing of it," he waited until Obi-Wan nodded, "Good, I am now going to address the disorder you call hair and explain the contents of the box."

Obi-Wan sat silent and still for half an hour while his new Master shaved his nerf tail off, giving no explanation, and cut his hair short in a military fashion. He felt delicate and agile fingers unweave the loose braid and the snip of the razor again was all he heard. If he had expected to feel his braid being shaved off, he was mistaken. When he looked down he watched with pride and affection at his new braid with the addition of his Master's snow white hair. He held the urge to lunge at the Master because he could already tell that while the older man had been friendly thus far, Dooku wasn't the type to hug. When he looked at the man he got a since that while there might not be hugs, there would be quiet affection and praise.

He watched Dooku lean over and collect the box, placing it in the space between them on the couch, "This will be your uniform. I know traditionally a Padawan wears basic tunics in creams and browns, but you are my apprentice and should wear what I choose until knighted."

Dooku fetched a black wool trimmed, satin stand up collar, six button front, with slanted double besom pocket jacket, straight legged ebony trousers, a silver sleeveless undershirt, a dark chocolate utility belt, matching knee-high boots, and calf-length cape with silver clasp.

"This is what I expect to be worn everyday unless I inform you otherwise," he gave Obi-Wan a stern look, "Is that understood Padawan Kenobi?"

"Yes Master," he whispered, so enthralled with his new wardrobe that he would have said "yes" to anything.

"Splendid. Go hang your things and rest. Tomorrow your training begins."