Disclaimer: Well, I think you'd have to be pretty dense to have not gotten the point yet, but I'll say it again anyway... I don't claim to own anything here except Aran and the plot. Sun belongs to my friend and anything you recognize most likely belongs to George Lucas.
A/N: I apologize for how long it took me to load this latest chapter, but I was on vacation last weekend. Not like you want to hear my excuses, but that's how it it...
Aran stepped from the 'fresher, toweling her hair dry. A shower in the middle of the afternoon seemed strange to her, but she was grateful for it nonetheless.
She retrieved a comb from her new bedroom and entered the common room. Standing by a large window, Aran watched Coruscant's air traffic rush by as she tried to patiently comb through all the knots that seemed to have developed in the two minutes since her shower.
After a few moments, Aran sensed Qui-Gon's presence behind her. He took the comb out of her hands and began to comb her hair himself. Although his large hand dwarfed her small comb, he was surprisingly gentle.
"Thank you, Master," she said, still gazing out the window. "You're easier on my hair than I am."
"Sometimes others are more patient with us than we are with ourselves."
"That's certainly true." They continued in companionable silence for a short while, Qui-Gon combing her hair as Aran observed Coruscant's traffic patterns.
"Are you enjoying the view?" he asked, handing her comb back.
"Yes, I'm very glad you have a window. There wasn't one in my old quarters and I like sunlight much better than artificial light." Inwardly, she wished it was a view of trees and sweet, green nature, but she focused on the positive and was glad for a window.
Qui-Gon placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him.
"Padawan, I do have to cut your hair now, but I realize that it serves a practical purpose at the length it is now, so in the future I may 'forget' to cut it," he said, deadpan.
"And as your Padawan, I will of course not 'remind' you because that would be to question the fact that my Master knows all," Aran replied, equally deadpan.
"And you'd do well to remember that, Padawan," Qui-Gon said with mock sternness as he fetched a pair of scissors and some ties.
"Yes, Master," she replied impishly, following him to the cents of the common room.
Aran felt her Master's mood change to seriousness and saw that he bore in his hands a marvelously carved and decorated wooden box, which he placed on a table nearby. As he stood behind her and trimmed her hair, he began to speak through the link that connected their minds.
/Hear me, Padawan,/ he said, using the traditional words that indicated that the Padawan must obey. /In cutting your hair, you show your dedication to learning and serving the ways of the Force and the Jedi Order. As your Master, it is my duty to guide you and make sure you reach your full potential. As my Padawan, it is your duty to obey me, the Council and to follow the Code./ He finished trimming, leaving enough long hair behind her right ear for the braid.
Qui-Gon opened the box Aran had seen before to reveal a long, chestnut-colored braid and some wisps of reddish-brown hair. Aran watched as Qui-Gon gathered up her own locks that had fallen to the floor and placed them among the red ones. 'They must be Obi-Wan's,' Aran realized. 'From when he got his Padawan haircut.'
Qui-Gon then lifted the long braid out of the box and carefully pulled a few strands from it. With a tie, he secured them at the top of what would become Aran's Padawan braid. Then he began to braid, his big hands amazingly adept at the work.
/This braid symbolized the time you train to become a Jedi and the years spent with your Master. As the braid grows, so will your skills in the Force grow. Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge. And even if you succeed, it's a hard life./ He paused a moment to let these words sink in. /After you have passed your Trials, I will be honored to but your Padawan braid as my Master cut mine and welcome you into the ranks of Jedi Knights./
/I heed your words, Master,/ said Aran with the traditional response.
"But for now, you are my Padawan Learner, and I am honored simply to be your Master and guide on the path you have undertaken to travel," Qui-Gon said, tying off her braid at the end.
Bowing deeply, Aran replied, "As I am greatly honored to be your Padawan and to call you Master," because it felt right to respond so.
A/N: Please review!! It's so encouraging to know that there are people out there who actually like this.