Don't own Star Wars.
Shock
The idea of asking for a vacation felt odd, but things went very smoothly.
"Master, we've been hoping you would ask. Take as much time as you want!"
"Correct young Skywalker is. Time off you need."
Obi-Wan sidestepped questions about where he was going and retrieved Ky Narec's lightsaber without incident. I could get in trouble for just taking it, but it feels like the right thing to do. He found a nondescript ship-he didn't want to attract attention on Rattatak or anywhere else for that matter- and left Coruscant. As the planet slipped away, he left the cockpit for a couch. The war was senseless. Ventress exemplifies that. She could have helped so many instead she killed. She and I could have been friends, perhaps, instead of parting on whatever terms we did. She warned me to watch Coruscant. What would she make of the truth behind it all? Probably feel more betrayed. I hope she went to the light. It felt like she was letting go of darkness in the end.
Ventress had done a lot of wrong, but strangely he did feel fondness for her. She had wit and was enough of a warrior to keep me on my toes. Our duels would have been quite fun if they weren't to the death, and even then I enjoyed them a little.
He meditated in the force grieving for her and for the war. It was a long trip to Rattatak from Coruscant so he had plenty of time. I am letting the force guide me. I'm not sure what I'm going to do once I get there and I certainly don't know what I'm going to do once I leave.
As his ship left hyperspace and went towards the planet Obi-Wan braced himself. Who knows what I'll face down there… He reached out with the force and raised an eyebrow in surprise. I sense a lot of pain, but also healing. That light could come where darkness ruled is worthy of hope.
He called the planetary central line. If I'm going to risk getting shot at I might as well know who might do the shooting. Plus the force means for me to come here, so I will get permission.
"State your purpose."
"A...friend of mine once lived here. I come to remember him and his child."
I felt like Qui-Gon's son so she must have felt like Master Narec's daughter.
"Hold on."
Obi-Wan waited patiently in orbit. The hard voiced person was wary but somewhat nicer.
"I'm sending you coordinates to land. We'll keep an eye on you but otherwise leave you to do as you will."
Curious. Such trust on a warlike world. They didn't even ask for my name or who I'm mourning.
Obi-Wan kept his senses alert but encountered nothing amiss. He did; however, shake his head at the coordinates he had been given to land. This was where Ventress- no I'm going to call her Asajj. We could have been friends had things been different. I hope she wouldn't mind the liberty if she knew of it- had the ship which Alpha and I escaped in.
He walked down from the ship. Rattatak felt different from when he had last been here. Last time it had been full of darkness, of light lost: Asajj killing Kirske in rage and broken hearted over the loss of her last tie to Master Narec. Now there was a cautious hope like a seedling slowly emerging into the sunlight. I would help here if I thought they would listen. No, I'm supposed to be on vacation- sort of.
No one met him, but Obi-Wan could sense he was being watched. He walked into the citadel that had been Asajj's and shook his head. The new hope was coming from here. It was fragile, but taking root. It was enough to banish any lingering thoughts of what had happened before. Obi-Wan wished Rattatak the best. For himself, he let the force guide his footsteps. He walked down the citadel's inner staircase and outside on ground level. He raised his eyebrows to see a statue of Master Narec. Asajj loved him. I suppose I should not be surprised she would do such a thing.
He remembered Ord Cestus. Calling out to her to let the young X'Ting go because their loyalty deserved more respect than senseless death. You understood loyalty even if, in the end, you were shown none after your master's death Asajj. He looked at the statue of Ky Narec and bowed.
"If you are watching from the force, Master Narec, consider this a long overdue expression of regret. You died alone without any other Jedi by your side and your student was left to grieve alone. I tried-did- my best to help her. She died in the light: hopefully she is with you now. Training her was a risk, but you saw potential in her. On behalf of the order, I am sorry we, I, didn't do more."
Even as he kept his eyes on the statue he felt like he was being watched in turn. The presence watching him had intensified its focus as he spoke. He didn't attempt to gain a more active awareness. He felt the force lead him to speak more, so he did.
"She did many things she should not, but I can understand why you trained her. Dooku was a master once and he lost his whole self to the dark. Asajj still had something left. I sensed it."
The presence watching him was getting agitated. He could now concretely sense where it was hiding even if the specifics of a signature- emotions, level of strength, etc.- were still hidden.
"I did not lie when I said she could have been one of the order's brightest lights. I would have helped her and only hope she is at peace now. May the force be with you Master Narec, and with you Asajj Ventress."
He bowed to the statue again and came back into the citadel. He passed the pillar where the presence lurked but did not stop. I
What am I supposed to do with the lightsaber? The force whispered the time was not right but it would be. He heard parallel steps of someone following. He went upwards and back towards his ship. As he did he heard the footsteps behind him go from parallel in the shadows to close to him in the sunlight. The force filled with a familiar presence. It couldn't be!
"Kenobi!"
Standing, staring at him with as much emotion expressed in her eyes as he had to be feeling stood Asajj Ventress. She blinked in the sunlight and worked to give him an impassive look. Really Asajj? After what we've been through, especially at the end, I don't think impassive can be the case.
They had words to say even if he wasn't sure what they would be yet. He could, though, think of a few of Anakin's more pungent ones to use on a certain force-merged Jedi Master who had somehow thought neglecting to mention Asajj was still alive was a good idea…