After his secret recovery, it had not taken long for the former jedi to work his way quickly through the ranks of the royal guard. He had allowed his hair to grow out a little so his bangs swept over his eyebrows and as they had grown his hair color had proven a more auburn appearance. He had grown a beard during his recovery, also and he liked how it felt, so he had trimmed it into a neat fashion that fit his face comfortably. It also managed to age his boyish looks somewhat, further departing his appearance from the one of jedi padawan.
He clipped accent was dropped as the lyrical accent of the Naboo people seemed far more appropriate to his new role. His first test had been with Captain Panaka only a year after the reactor incident. The man had been introduced to the new recruits and Kenobi had been singled out for special mention due to his exceptional scores on all tests, but especially hand to hand combat and weapons training.
"Private Latterrie, I hear good things about you." The captain said.
"Thank you, sir," came Kenobi's crisp reply. He relished every challenge presented to him, and with only 6 months in the service he was being noticed and admired by everyone around him.
"I understand you have a prosthetic eye."
"That is correct, sir."
"And despite that, your aim is keener than your instructors, I hear."
"Perhaps a replacement program should be instigated." came Kenobi's dead pan response, with the subtle hint of a smile enough to have the captain grinning and Kenobi's companions murmuring their amusement.
Captain Panaka caught himself and whipped a quick glance to the group assembled rendering them silent once again.
"Careful, Private, we don't take kindly to that sort of talk back in the royal detail."
Kenobi's fellows gasped, the royal detail was the highest order of the guard, it took years to be considered for the roll, but somehow seemed fitting for Latterie to be headed in that direction.
"Keep up the good work, I've got my eyes on you," said the captain as he moved to the next young guard.
That had gone well, thought Kenobi and he couldn't help but swell a little with pride at his progress so far.
/Don't get too cocky/ he felt himself say and he resolved to keep his head down and focused on the goal of getting into the royal detail.