Hello lovelies, here once again with the third chapter of Fifteen, There's Still Time. Hope you enjoy any any kind of feedback is very much appreciated :)
To say that Xanatos was immensely irate at the fact that he was on the run (quite literally on his feet) from an invasion army in the forests bordering Theed would be quite the understatement. The Jedi Knight had never been one to get down and dirty, feeling one with nature and all (Qui-Gon's enthusiasm for all things related to the living force was enough for both of them.) Xanatos was more of a diplomat, even more so an avid fighter; this running business was not something he enjoyed. And as if to make his mission all the more difficult there were droids stationed around that he had to avoid unless he wanted to defend himself while running. Not that the battle droids were difficult to deal with, just an unwanted nuisance.
Still, Xanatos plowed on hoping to find his apprentice sooner rather than later. Half way through his trek a Gungan ran into his path and upon seeing shots being fired became alarmed and latched on to him as soon as he was close enough. Finding no other solution to his sudden predicament, Xanatos took to hiding behind the closest tree, clamping a hand over the Gungan's mouth to cease its frightened blithering. Of course that didn't do the trick as the Gungan began flailing its arms and legs, so Xanatos sent it a rather strong force suggestion, "Shut up, damn it."
The Knight waited till the things he was running from all passed before releasing the now subdued Gungan. He palmed the dirt off himself before giving the Gungan a wayward glance to make sure it was in one piece. Having done that he'd completed his role of being an inter-nebulan guardian and so walked off, resuming his search for his wayward apprentice. He didn't get very far though before a voice behind him caught him so off guard that he spun around, hand at his lightsaber.
"Oh muy muy I love you!" The Gungan shouted out, not intimidated in the least by Xanatos' battle ready gaze.
"I wish I could say the same about you, pal," the Jedi grumbled as he turned to continue walking along. He was able to savor the silence that had overcome the forest for a brief moment until the Gungan decided to speak up once again, "Meesa called Jar Jar Binks! Meesa your humble servant!"
Xanatos silently cursed his failure to remember what he'd learned about Gungan traditions before he'd saved Jar Jar's life. But before he could comment on the matter, he heard shots being fired to his left and immediately commanded Jar Jar to get down. He then joined the fray upon seeing Obi-Wan running in his direction, deflecting a shot here and there but focusing mainly on reaching his master. Xanatos was quick to go to his padawan's aid and deflect the droids shots back to destroy them.
"Are you ok?" Xanatos asked as his panting apprentice came to a stop before him.
"More or less, yes" Obi-Wan answered, stowing his lightsaber. Xanatos opened his mouth to relay the next plan of action but before he could, Jar Jar stood up between the two men, "You saved my again!"
"Who's this?" Obi-Wan raised a brow, catching his breath and wondered what had gotten into irritable and generally impatient master to allow a stowaway to stick around all of a sudden.
"Jar Jar Binks, Obi-Wan Kenobi" Xanatos deadpanned, pointing a finger between the two aforementioned beings, "Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jar Jar Binks. I saved his life so he owes me one. And now that we all know each other we should get going before more droids show up."
Obi-Wan failed to greet Jar Jar with as much enthusiasm as the Gungan greeted him. They both followed along when Xanatos began to walk but Jar Jar had something to say first.
"Excueze me!" He called after the Jedi, "But the most safest place would be Gunga City! Is where I grew up! Tis a hidden city!"
That got Xanatos' attention. He pivoted to face the Gungan, "I assume you're telling us this because you can take us there, Jar Jar."
Jar Jar shifted for a moment before he spoke up, "Uh, on second thought," Xanatos rolled his eyes the second the words left the Gungan's mouth, "No, not really no."
"Well then why in the name of the Force's great galaxy did you bring it up?" Obi-Wan beat Xanatos to verbalizing his irritation.
"This embarrassing..." Jar Jar hesitated, "But my afraid my has been banished. My forgotten! The bosses will do terrible things to me! Terrible things to me if me going back there!"
Obi-Wan and Xanatos fished for ways to work around their dilemma when suddenly one was provided for them. The sound of droid transports barreling through the forest sounded from a ways off and Xanatos was quick to jump on the opportunity.
"You hear that?" he asked in a low voice, pointing over his shoulder. Jar Jar raised his ear and put a hand near it to listen closer. "
That is the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way." Obi-Wan continued, taking a step closer to the Gungan. He was clearly enjoying how intimated Jar Jar suddenly became and diminished what personal space the creature had the right to.
"If they find us they will crush us" Xanatos added bemusedly following his padawan's suit.
"Grind us into tiny pieces," Obi-Wan whispered before both Jedi simultaneously shouted, "And blast us into oblivion!"
They had to fight rather hard to keep themselves from bursting into laughter at Jar Jar's expense but they certainly did feel each other's amusement through their bond.
Their play of intimidation clearly paid off as the now slightly frightened Jar Jar replied, "Ah, yousa point is well seen. This way!"
As he whirled around to lead the way Obi-Wan ducked out of the way of the Gungan's giant flopping ears. He exchanged a bemused glance with his master before the pair followed their rambunctious guide to what they hoped would be a safe place to plan their next course of action.
Now that was a bit of a short one, yes, but another will be out very soon to compensate, I promise :) Till then, feedback is loved!