"Force...why didn't you stop me?" Tommy groaned, rubbing forehead.
"Hey, you wanted to get drunk, why on Coroscant should I stop you?" Luke grinned over his shoulder.
What Tommy had said last night resurfaced many thoughts of his former master that he had buried deep in his mind. But since Tommy didn't seem to remember the incident, he, Lou, Ferus and Michael decided it would be best for them to forget it ever happened. So now Luke and the younger knight where headed off for a normal spar to occupy themselves for the time being. Of course it was all Luke's idea and he had to (physically) drag his severely hung over friend into it.
"Because you where in your right mind" Tommy replied.
"And you?" Luke raised a brow.
"Am I ever in my right mind?" Tommy chuckled lightly.
"Point taken Tommy. Extra points for humoring me. And a few more extra points for actually laughing for the first time in months, if not years" Luke smiled.
"I did not laugh" Tommy retorted as if it was something disgusting to have laughed, "I simply entertained you."
"Whatever you say Tom" Luke shrugged as they approached the doors of the training ward
Upon entering, both the Jedi Knight found themselves in the presence of Initiate Lupin, who was practicing katas far beyond her level. Oblivious to the presence of the two men behind her.
Luke knew this was his chance to show her off to his friend. He stood patiently, watching her do her katas, knowing Tommy would do the same. And he did.
It was only when Shyma reached a certain kata that involved a spin did she notice the men. Her eyes widened at the sight of them, and she stopped herself mid-turn to look at them.
"Luke! Master Kenobi! I-um did you want to use the ward?" Shyma mustered up after quickly deactivating her saber and bowing to Tommy.
The younger knight noted the use of formality towards him. But what about Luke? She didn't bother to bow to him...she seems to be so free with him...trust him...
"Actually I was just looking for a spar with you" Luke answered the young girl.
Tommy's jaw hung momentarily open. And then rippled when he realized what his friend was doing. Showcasing the girl's skills.
He felt a sudden jolt of annoyance at Luke. And everyone else that was trying to force him into taking an apprentice. And it didn't take long for annoyance to turn into anger. He just turned and wordlessly headed for the door.
"Tom! Tom wait, come on, just watch will you?" Luke dashed after his friend.
"No", Tommy said solemnly, "I'll find Danielle or Ferus to go spend the time with." he glanced over at Shyma once before leaving the ward.
Luke sighed. He had planned on getting Tommy to see how skilled Shyma was, but so much for that.
"Yo, Skywalker, plan on actually sparring anytime soon?" Luke looked over and saw Shyma starring at him with a very bored expression
"No, not really. I actually wanted to talk to you" Luke answered.
"Oh...ok" Shyma said looking slightly disappointed "Let's go sit then."
The two made their way to the stands and sat down in the front row.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Shyma asked as soon as they where seated.
"You I guess. Who are you going against in the tournament? Did Master Yoda tell you yet?" Luke asked.
"Yeah" Shyma said looking down "I'm going against Denay."
"Denay Gunvold?" Luke furrowed his brows.
"Yeah" Shyma muttered still looking down "You know her. The one that insists on harassing me cause she thinks I'm trying to 'impress' Master Kenobi through you."
Luke smirked "A fangirl?"
"No. She's' THE Fangirl" Shyma corrected "The Fangirl that's under the crazy delusion that I'm gonna somehow get picked by Master Kenobi."
"That's cause you are" Luke blurted out. He regretted saying it as soon as the words left his lips. Thankfully though, Shyma chose to ignore the remark. But what she said next made Luke wish she had said something about his comment instead.
"Luke" she said quietly "I turn 13 in a month...why haven't you picked me yet?"
Luke felt a pang in his chest.
As much as he wanted to tell her he wanted to pick her, he couldn't. Both for the same reason.
There was just too strong of a connection between her and Tommy.
Simple as that.
Suddenly Luke heard the beeping of his comm. link. And never in his life had he ever been more grateful of the normally irritating object. He jumped at the chance to avoid the topic and retrieved the call:
"Hello?" Luke called into the comm.
"Hey! Luke!, How'd it go"? Came Michael's voice.
"Eh...not too well. Tom stormed out on us"
"Stormed out?"
"Well no but he didn't stick around"
"Oh...well that sucks"
"Yeah"
"Alright then, I'll catch up with you later"
"Right"
"Mascitti out"
A click signaled the end of the transmission.
"Why do you-no, why does everyone think me and him are meant to be like master and padawan?! Force, he doesn't even know my kriffing name! He's only seen me like 4 times in his entire life ok! I don't stand a chance. I mean you even saw him! He doesn't want to see a spar just so he won't be forced to judge it" Shyma rambled.
"Come on Shyma, you know his father-" Luke began, but Shyma was quick to cut him off.
"Stop! Stop it Luke, stop using his father as an excuse. Dammit, he's Thomas Bierfeldt Kenobi, not Obi-Wan Kenobi, Thomas Bierfeldt Kenobi!"
Luke smiled "That's why you're perfect for him."
Shyma, who's confusion drowned out her anger, raised a brow and muttered a blunt "huh?"
"Tommy always says to me 'people have to stop using my father's greatness against me.' And now here you are telling me the exact same thing. Don't you see the connection?" Luke's smile broadened.
"I dunno Luke" Shyma said quietly looking down "I just want a master ok. I don't wanna get sent to the agri-corps."
"I know kid, I know. And believe me, they'll have to force me out of the order before they send you to the agri-corps."
"Force you out of the order?" Shyma raised a brow "Is that supposed to be some sort of pun?"
Luke chuckled "No pun intended". Pause. "I mean it. They would have to kick me out before they let you go."
"Don't say that Luke" Shyma smiled lightly.
"I don't have to say it to mean it" Luke replied.
Shyma looked up into the knight's soft blue eyes "Thanks."
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Much to Luke's surprise, when he walked out of the training ward, he ran into Tommy.
"Tom? What are you doing back here?" Luke said with a very much confused look.
"Danielle's going to research something for a mission in the archives, Ferus is at a council meeting, and Michael is nowhere to be found" Tommy replied simply "Where's the girl?" he asked raising a brow.
"She left out back. Said she didn't want to run into you while you where so 'pissed off'" Luke emphasized the last two words.
"Pissed off? I wasn't angry" Tommy lied.
"You didn't sound pissed off either" Luke added almost immediately, as though he hadn't just seen right through Tommy's lie.
For a moment Tommy thought of retorting with a 'do I ever?' but then something occurred to him.
He narrowed his eyes "What are you implying?"
"She felt it Tom. She felt your anger. She felt you where out here at the front door so she left out back" Luke stated.
"Luke, do we have have to have this conversation again? I'm not taking a padawan. I told Danielle, Ferus, and Yoda the same thing" Tommy sighed.
"Are you coming to the tournament?" Luke asked with a hopeful expression.
"Yoda's forcing me to" Tommy said looking away.
"Good" Luke smiled putting a hand on the other knight's shoulder "That's all that's needed my friend" Luke grinned as he walked smoothly past a very much startled Tommy.
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Tommy slowed his running into a jog as he approached the doors to the training ward.
He stopped himself in front of the doors and took a deep breath. He straightened his tunic and recited the list of excuses in his head as to why he was almost an hour late to the tournament.
Finally, having regained his posture, the knight entered the arena and made his way to the reserved council box where Yoda sat.
Upon entering the box, Tommy bowed to the members of the council and then kneeled before Yoda's seat.
"Late you are" Yoda stated as he did.
"I am sorry Master, I was held up by-"
"Alright it is. Sit. Watch" Yoda said quickly, cutting his former padawan off.
"Yes master" Tommy nodded, taking the empty seat that Yoda had pointed at next to him.
Tommy mad himself comfortable, knowing he would be there for a while, and then set his eyes on the match. On the 2 initiates that where going at it furiously.
There where many initiates like those two that where masterless and less that a month away from turning 13. The sad truth being that only 40% of those initiates would get chosen. And the rest of them....to the agri-corps to become a farmer.
Just the thought of being sent to the agri-corps instead of becoming a Jedi, sent chills up his spine. But he and Luke where lucky to have been the sons of their fathers. They where chosen as padawan from the second they where born. Just because Luke's father was Anakin Skywalker, and Tommy's, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke, chosen by Obi-Wan. And He, chosen by Yoda. Two of the best knights in the order, without even trying. Just being born.
Tommy looked up at the match. At the initiates fighting for their future.
And almost felt bad for that 60%
"That is why, take an apprentice you should" Yoda said bringing the knight back to reality "Make it 41% you can."
Tommy immediately slammed up his mental shields "Master, you know I hate it when you do that" he said sternly. He really did hate it when people read his thoughts.
"Necessary it was" Yoda replied.
Tommy let it go and returned his attention to the match.
And just as he did, one of the initiates, the girl, slammed her lightsaber hilt into her opponent's (a young boy) nose. The boy lost his balance and fell backward. The girl took the chance to bring her saber down almost an inch away from the boy's neck. The boy was quick to surrender and the match was over. The referee announcing the girl to be the winner.
Looked like she was going to be a part of the lucky 40% tonight.
"Considering her Master Windu was" Yoda said suddenly, as though he was trying to lead Tommy away from her. He sensed the young knight was impressed by her aggression.
The boy and girl shook hands and left the arena.
"She would do him good" Tommy said playing along. He had to admit, the initiate was good. Not good enough for him......but good.
"Watch" Yoda said as a new pair came to the arena.
Tommy turned his attention to them. And spent the next half a hour watching the matches before he found himself....bored.
He actually physically fell asleep after 4 more fights. And Yoda made no notion to wake him.
After what seemed like an eternity of blissful sleep to Tommy, he felt something tug at him through the force. He immediately jerked out of his sleep and looked around. He was still in the training ward; Yoda was still sitting next to him...all was well.
So what in the name of the force did he just feel through...the force? Tommy shook his head at how ridiculous that question sounded, even in his head.
He sat up and looked out into the arena. A new pair had just walked out.
2 girls.
He recognized one of them as Denay Gunvold. One of the many initiates that always tried to suck up to him.
Couldn't say he was on her side...
The other girl looked awfully familiar but he just couldn't place her.
"Take your stances" he heard the referee call.
The two girls went to either sides of the stadium and took their fighting stances. He studied Denay's stance for a moment before looking to the other girl.
And as he did, his eyes shot open and his heart skipped several beats. The girl was holding the stance of his father (which was the same as his aside from the fact that he held his saber in the other hand.) He leaned forward in his chair and looked closer at her. And saw that she was wearing the same smug grin that Obi-Wan always wore when he was about to get into one hell of a fight.
"And begin" the referee announced. Denay immediately charged at her opponent.
Tommy sat up straight and for the first time, actually focused on the match.
The other initiate raised her saber only when Denay attacked her, using the familiar defensive style of Soresu.
Tommy was almost surprised at her use of the style. He didn't know too many people that used Soresu this well. As a matter of fact he only knew his father and himself to use it perfectly...but this was new. This girl...her strokes where bold, powerful and yet elegant at the same time. She didn't even look like she was struggling to block and fight off her opponent's blows.
It was......................................................... impressive.
"Hey...hey who's that?" Tommy muttered bluntly, leaning towards Yoda. His eyes where still glued to the fight.
"Hm? Initiate Denay Gunvold that is" if Tommy where paying the slightest bit more attention to Yoda, he would have noticed the grin on the troll's face.
"No, no, the other one" Tommy said in an irritated voice.
Yoda chuckled "Jedi Initiate Shyma Tavrott Lupin."
"Shyma Tavrott Lupin..." Tommy whispered as he leaned back in his seat, thinking about this initiate that fully had his attention now.
Suddenly two large hands came down on his shoulders, making him jump up (and loose his cool) a bit more than he would have preferred. He immediately turned his head and found himself facing his best friend.
"Luke-" But Luke didn't let his friend say anymore.
"What do you think about my little girl? Impressive, isn't she?" the blond grinned at his friend.
"Yes she's a strong fighter" Tommy said in a muffled voice.
"Told ya" Luke grinned, giving his friend's shoulders a squeeze.
"Yeah..." Tommy whispered.
"Force, she's gonna do it!" Luke muttered anxiously near Tommy's ear.
"Do what?" the younger knight asked a bit too fast.
"That" Luke pointed over Tommy's shoulder, to the battle.
Tommy turned to the match.
Shyma and Denay where still battling with all their strength. Shyma's movements where still fluid and graceful whereas Denay's where offensive and on edge; she was tiring out.
Suddenly Shyma came out of the defensive and struck right at her opponent for a heated clash. The clash went on for a while before Denay began to completely over power the other initiate.
And then, with one swift movement that no one but Luke expected, Shyma took the upper hand.
She withdrew her saber from the clash and ducked underneath her opponent. And as she stood up on the other side at Denay's back, Denay lost what she was pushing all her weight against. And fell forward. She scrambled to turn to her back, but by the time she did, a vibrant blue saber hummed a centimeter from her throat.
"Match over. Initiate Lupin's point" the referee declared.
Shyma deactivated her saber and smiled.
Tommy let out a breath he didn't realize he held.
He looked as Shyma held out a hand for Denay, but the other initiate just got up and left. Shyma shrugged.
Tommy felt a sense of respect at her nobility.
"And that concludes the last battle for tonight. Thank you for watching and we hope you enjoyed. Good night and may the force be with you" the referee smiled before leaving the arena as well. The shuffling of people leaving filled the ward. He knew they where all heading to the after party that all participating initiates had to attend.
That way if anyone wanted to choose an initiate for apprenticeship, they would be there.
"Take her" a sharp his to his ear snapped him out of his thoughts. Tommy turned his head only to see Luke's grinning face, inches from his.
"Take her you should, before another impressed knight does" Yoda advised.
For reasons he couldn't identify, the thought made Tommy uneasy.
Even so Tommy stated stiffly "I am not taking a padawan." And at that he stood up and strode out.
He knew he was headed to the party. His mind screamed it.
But he chose to ignore it.
No. I'm going to the party just because all my friends will be there. Yeah...Ferus, Michael, Danielle, Nancy, Adam, they should all be there. That's it. That's all I'm going there to do. Hang out with my friends.
Tommy said to himself after a while. Still ignoring what his mind really screamed at him.
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Luke smiled deeply to himself. Content with himself and how things had turned out, he flopped down into the chair that Tommy had been occupying only moments ago.
He looked around the now empty ward. Whereas everyone else had decided to go to the party, Luke decided to stay back and have a chat with the only other remaining person in the ward.
"He's gonna take her" he stated to the troll seated next to him.
"Yes, feel it in him I do. Want to take her he does" Yoda replied.
"He will master. Believe me" Luke grinned.
A comfortable silence came over the two.
"Give up your chosen initiate why did you?" Yoda asked after a long time.
"Because of three things" Luke replied simply.
"What three things? What hold do you, than the initiate you wished to train?" Yoda asked.
"First and foremost, my brother's well being" Luke began "You said it yourself, Tommy needs guidance. Not from me or you, but from a youngling. And Shyma's the one. I feel it, you feel it, we all feel it. She is the one. Tommy needs help master...he needs help..." Luke trailed off "Learning to live."
Yoda nodded slowly.
"Secondly, Shyma was meant to be Tom's apprentice. Don't you feel the connection between them? It's irrevocably strong. It would practically be a crime to take her from the person that was meant to train her. And lastly, I refuse to do injustice like that to the two people I hold closest to my heart" Luke ended his monologue.
"Incredibly spoken young one. Sacrificed for the better you have" Yoda smiled "A true Jedi you are."
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Once he arrived to the party, Tommy's friends pulled him over to a corner. And while they conversed, he remained silent. His mind was elsewhere and his friends decided to respect that.
He was thinking hard about what that crazy feeling was that he got every time someone mentioned Initiate Lupin. It was something odd...something he wanted to avoid feeling. And it didn't help that his friends just kept going on about her.
"But seriously, best fight of the night was Lupin and Gunvold. None of the other battles even measured up" Adam's statement brought Tommy back to reality.
"Yeah Shyma was kriffing great" Ferus agreed "I mean knights poured out of the ward just to catch her here. They all want her now."
"H-Has anyone picked her yet?" Tommy asked, speaking for the first time in the conversation. His voice sounded slightly hoarse and deranged.
"Nah, not yet. They're all scared you know. No one wants to be rejected, and they all know how close she and Luke are. They're afraid she'll only say yes to him and-" Adam cut himself off as Tommy suddenly stood up "Tom?"
But instead of replying, the youngest knight strode away.
And if Tommy looked back even once, he would have seen his friends' high fiving each other for a mission accomplished.
But he didn't. Instead he strode off and headed straight for where the initiates where enjoying themselves.
And for the first time, the knight understood why he didn't want anyone else to choose Lupin. Why he sensed when she came near. Why she could feel his emotions.
She was the one.
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