'We will not train today, Obi Wan. I must meditate upon what I have learnt today' Qui Gon left him standing in the middle of the hallway, unsure of what had happened. Confusion wasn't common in his life and he felt out of sorts.
After a few moments, he ran after Arec. She was standing in an alcove, and he almost ran past her. Her back was to him, her hood still raised. And she was... crying? He rested his hand on her shoulder and she jumped.
'Arec?' he queried, as she hurriedly wiped her eyes and slowly turned to him
'Can a woman not even cry in peace?' she snapped
'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...' he faltered before gaining his confidence again under the steely gaze of her green eyes 'I did not want you to leave, with my unkind words. You should leave with me as your old friend'
A smile cracked through her blank expression, lighting her from within 'It would have grieved me to leave with your scorn'
He considered her. She looked both younger and older than him- the effects of long distance and extra-galactic travel. 'Are you okay?'
'My friend' she shook her head 'If only I could tell you the truth of the matter' she lowered her hood, recovered from her emotions.
'Why can't you tell me?' he questioned
'You are Light, I am Grey' she touched a bead in his padawan braid 'the differences between us are as wide as a galaxy. I feel and use emotion, while you disregard them. I strive for balance, while you strive for peace. Obi Wan, You could not understand. Your masters do not understand. Even now, with potentially cataclysmic information placed in their lap, they turn their backs. They do not see. They are blinded by the light. They see, but they do not observe'
'I will try to understand' he had never heard someone in the halls speak so passionately, with such a broken heart.
'I loved you, as a child, you know' she said suddenly, and he was surprised 'And we were taught this is wrong. I loved you, I could feel my soul aching for yours, as though I was one half of a whole. But Jedi do not understand attachment, or love, or the desire to have someone to balance you'
He stood, rooted to his spot, shocked by her speech. He could not take his eyes from hers as she spoke, full of emotion he had never been allowed to feel.
'I left because I cannot be a part of something that does not allow the most basic of our souls desires- to find what completes them. To deny this is wrong. Balance, Obi Wan. Our universe, the Force, requires perfect balance. Not all light, not all dark, but both' she drew herself up, standing straight and proud, facing the only man she had ever had romantic feelings for.
She continued 'Balance, Obi Wan. There can be no chaos without order, no good without evil. Such is the way of the universe. The Force flows through us all, in all of its peace and passion. This, the Gray Jedi believe, and by this, we shall live…' her voice cracked, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. She had let herself speak too much. Told him too much of her heart. Her master would have been impressed, she thought, admitting her truths without shame.
'I do not know what to say' he said lamely, placing his hand on her shoulder 'I have never been confronted with this before'
'Obi Wan, you are a Jedi of the light, and while you remain true to your order, you heart will be content' her voice was soft, almost loving as she reached up to stroke his cheek 'You have grown to be a fine man' he closed his eyes to bask in the warmth of her caress, and she took in the moment. The last moment. 'I must go' her voice was barely a whisper
'No, Arec' he held her hand to his face 'Stay'
'Obi Wan' she pulled her hand from his grasp 'I will not ever take you from what your heart believes true. I must go' she hurried to the hangar, Obi Wan only steps behind her.
Her speeder was waiting, and she jumped in without a second thought, strapping herself in and taking off with barely a moments notice. Obi Wan skidded to a halt, the little blue craft disappearing into the crowds of afternoon traffic.