The clash of lightsabers. The chill of death. Something once thought gone is stirring. Deception is blinding the weak. Threats suffocate the willing. But still, a faint light guides us to the end.
Shri'La made her way out of the training room. She finally no longer felt like she was behind her peers. A smile crept up on herself as she recalled Master Yoda's words from just moments ago: "Far you have come. Excellent your progress has been." As she made her way down the hall she couldn't help but think of Obi-Wan. She knew his encouragement and side lessons had helped her improve at such a rapid rate. And, although she shouldn't, she wished she could tell him of her progress in class today. Should she go to the gardens later? Just as she was making plans in her head the very object of her thoughts was making his way down the same hall with another member of his clan. The second boy was thoroughly engrossed in a conversation with a look of excitement on his face. Obi-Wan's face, however, held a darker tone with a look of defeat as he struggled to keep his attention towards his enthusiastic friend. Shri'La hid herself among some columns nearby as she tried in vain to listen in on the conversation.
"I just can't believe he chose me to be his padawan! I was really beginning to lose hope for myself. He told me we should be leaving for our first mission together soon!"
"That's...great, Andpin. I am truly very happy for you," Obi-Wan said to his friend. He hid it well, but Shri'La could sense the frustration in his voice. As the pair stopped near the very columns Shri'La was hiding behind, Obi-Wan turned to his friend and shook his hand.
"I am sure you will do well in your training, my friend. Remember to have faith in yourself. However, I've just remembered something I need to take care of so I must excuse myself from our conversation."
"But of course," Andpin replied as he happily accepted the handshake. "Thank you for allowing me to share my news with you. I must admit I may be a bit overexcited. I had...truly given up on myself."
"You must always allow yourself to trust the Force to guide you where you need be," Obi-Wan said with a smile as he placed a hand on Andpin's shoulder.
"I shall remember it," Andpin replied with a bow. As he turned to continue down the hall he looked back once more. "Good luck to you, Obi-Wan."
As Obi-Wan watched Andpin slowly fade farther in the distance he slowly turned his head towards the columns.
"And how long do you plan on hiding back there?" he asked.
"I suppose it's not really hiding then if you know I am here," Shri'La said as she stepped out from the shadows.
"Is it a habit of yours to eavesdrop on people?"
"Not particularly. But that's some lofty advice to give when you yourself can't even follow it."
Obi-Wan looked Shri-'La right in the eyes as she said that. How could such a young one read him so well? "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
"Obi-Wan, don't lie to me. I can see it all over your face," Shri'La responded in a more gentle tone. "Most of your clan has been chosen as padawans or placed in their service jobs, so you are concerned for your future. Am I wrong?" she asked as she tilted her head and looked up at him.
"No, you're not. In fact, you're annoyingly right," he said with a sigh as he looked away from her.
Shri'La stared at the back of his head before casting her eyes down. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want, but just know I am always here to listen," she said as she slowly turned around to continue walking towards her original destination.
"Shri'La," he said, which stopped her in her tracks. She turned back around to met his gaze. "You wanted to tell me something, I feel?"
"Yes, I did have news to share," she said with a sad smile.
"Perhaps... later in the gardens?" he said
Shri'La laughed at his suggestion knowing just moments ago she herself had been hoping to run into in him in the gardens later. "It's a date."
"A date?!" he said with a tint of red filling his face. "What are you even saying?"
"Oh, it was just a joke," she said in a more indignant tone than she meant-mostly to hide her embarrassment. "I just meant it as we're both planning to meet somewhere later. Shall I call it a meeting instead?"
"No need to get upset," he replied with puzzled look on his face.
He was right. There was no need for her to be so upset. So why was she all of a sudden? Even she didn't really know the answer.
"I'm not upset," she replied more calmly this time. "Let's just forget it. I'll see you later," she said as she turned around once more to leave. As she walked away she felt that all too familiar heat rise to her face that seemed to present itself any time she was around Obi-Wan. He seemed to be able to bring it out with even the smallest actions.
Why do I seem incapable of functioning normal around him sometimes? she thought to herself as she continued walking down the halls of the Jedi Temple. He's right...why did I let that bother me? Why did I even say it like that in the first place? I didn't even mean it like that, but I made it sound like something more.
As she continued walking, lost in thought, she suddenly stopped suddenly. Her eyes widened as a hand flew to her gasping mouth. "Oh! I'm late for my next training exercise!" she nearly screamed as she took off jogging down the hall. I'll really never heard the end of it this time, she thought as she raced towards her destination.
As Obi-Wan watched Shri'La make her way down the hall he stood there lost in his own thoughts. How is it she can always read me so well? Is it simply part of her gift?
"A date, huh?" he said with laugh out loud to himself. She's so young you know she didn't mean anything by it.
Obi-Wan slowly made his way in the opposite direction as Shri'La had gone. As his thoughts ran they found their way back to his earlier conversation with Andpin, and his mood began to cloud once more. Maybe you should just focus on your own future for now.
Shri'La sat in her room, unsure of what to do. She had gotten quite an earful for being late again, as she knew she would. She was not sure this would be the best night to try and sneak out to the gardens. As she sat there pondering her next course of action she couldn't help but feel disappointment and guilt.
But I told Obi-Wan I would be there. What if he shows up and I'm not there? Would he be upset with me? As her head filled with what seemed hundreds of questions she plopped herself down backwards on to her bed and put her hands over her face. "Why do you care so much?" she asked herself out loud.
"Care so much about what?" a voice near by asked.
Shri'La's hands flew off her face as she quickly sat up. "Nothing of importance," she said as she smiled to one of her clan mates.
"Funny thing to say out loud if it's not so important."
"Well you know me, Tisha. I'm an odd one."
Tisha merely chuckled in response.
Give me a break, Shri'La thought to herself at this.
Tisha never wanted to be a Jedi. Her parents had sent her the moment she had tested as Force sensitive. She held great resentment to them- as if they had completely abandoned her. She didn't try very hard and often sabotaged herself in class. Shri'La wasn't sure what her motives were. Younglings who didn't qualify to become or who were not chosen as padawans were placed in lower service positions among the order; never achieving the title of Jedi. Whatever her reasoning, Tisha didn't follow the Jedi Code too hard. Making her a nice ally to have for one who often found themselves sneaking out. Shri'La often lamented the day she knew Tisha would no longer reside with her.
"Actually," Shri'La started, "I have had a lot on my mind lately. I was thinking of going to the gardens to meditate for a while before bed."
"Is that so," Tisha replied.
"Yeah, I seem more at ease when I meditate there than in the room."
"Sure you do~"
Shri'La rolled her eyes at Tisha as she headed towards the door.
"Don't worry," Tisha said with a laugh, "I'll hold the fort down till you return."
Shri'La couldn't help but smile at her friend. "Thank you, as always."
Shri'La carefully made her way down the quiet hallway towards the gardens. As she entered she was happy, for once, to see it empty. While she could not deny her original intention was to meet with Obi-Wan she hadn't lied to Tisha when she said she had a lot on her mind. She was happy for the opportunity to meditate alone for a while. A recurring dream had been plaguing her for the past few nights, and she wanted to see if there was more to it than a simple dream. Unfortunately, with her, it was more so than not. As she began to allow herself to find her center and open her mind she felt the familiar rush of the Force overtake her. Meditating was one of her favorite things to do- she was beginning to understand her gift of clairvoyance.
Obi-Wan had lost track of time. He was quickly making his way towards his destination- half hoping Shri'La would be there and half hoping she would not. He wasn't even sure of the logic behind this feeling. As he made his way into the gardens he saw Shri'La sitting near the center of the room with her knees pulled up to her chest and her head down. He could sense she was deeply troubled and could hear the sound of faint crying. Unsure of what to do, he slowly walked towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Shri'La let out a gasp as she turned, startled, to find Obi-Wan standing there. She quickly turned back away to hide her tears, but she knew it was too late He had already seem them, if not heard them. He sat down beside her as she turned back to give him a half smile.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you come in. I was meditating."
"Were you?" he asked, not totally convinced.
"Of course! This is the meditation garden, after all," she said with her usual sarcasm. She was trying hard to hide the emotions that still raged inside her after the vision she just had.
"If you say so..." he said as he turned his head away from her. Obi-Wan knew she was hiding something, but be didn't want to push it.
They sat there in silence as Shri'La composed herself. A chill in the air made her shiver.
"Are you cold?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No, I'm fine," she answered. "Sorry...I wanted to share my news with you..."
"But something happened here?"
"...yes, you could say that."
Obi-Wan turned to fully face her, crossing his legs, as he gave her a reassuring smile. "Well, I'm here if you need to talk about it."
Shri'La cast down her eyes. The vision she had was unlike anything she had ever experienced. And, what's more, Obi-Wan was in it as well. She was slightly embarrassed to discuss it with him, but she knew she would feel better to talk about it.
"I had a vision while I was meditating. It was... difficult..."
"How so?"
"I have been having a strange dream lately and wanted to meditate on it. It wasn't so much the vision itself but the feelings that crept in. It felt...cold...angry...powerful," she said as she shivered again. "It was so intense I was almost afraid."
Obi-Wan stared at her intently as she spoke. His visions were far less than hers, but he knew what this could possibly mean.
"It seems you experienced some of the Dark Side of the Force."
"The Dark Side? But why would I have felt it so intensely?"
"That, I'm afraid, I cannot answer. I would recommend speaking with Master Yoda tomorrow."
"Yes, I suppose I should. Funny...my original news actually involved Master Yoda."
"Oh? And what was it anyway?"
"I bested everyone in class today. Master Yoda was very pleased."
Obi-Wan gave her one of his brilliant, genuine smiles. "That's fantastic news, Shri'La. I am so very proud of you."
Those words with that smile brought about that same flush to her face once again. "It was nothing, really," she said as she turned to hide the awkwardness she felt. "Besides, it's you I have to thank."
"Oh, no, I haven't done much really," he said half laughing.
"Yes you have and you know it," she said as she playfully punched his shoulder.
"Ow," he said as he rubbed the spot she just hit.
"Oh please," Shri'La said as she rolled her eyes and laughed. "Really, Obi-Wan. Thank you. Even from the first time we met all you have done is encourage me. I remember when I felt the same self doubt and discouragement as Andpin had spoke of." She gave a little self depreciating laugh at this memory. "I...really wanted to give up then. What would I do without you?" she asked as she turned back to smile at him.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, casting his eyes down as he answered her. "You have great potential. I just didn't want to see it go to waste."
"I see..." Shri'La said as she looked up at the sky. Starless as ever. "And yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"Surely you haven't given up on yourself either."
Obi-Wan slowly turned his face to look up towards the sky as he spoke. "Lately it has seemed that way, hasn't it?"
"Obi-Wan, if anyone has great potential it's you."
"Well, no one else seems to see it that way since I haven't been made a padawan."
Shri'La, briefly remembering her vision, grabbed his hand as she looked him in the eyes. "You will become a padawan. Just hold on a little longer."
Obi-Wan, taken aback by her sudden actions, quickly pulled his hand away and stood up. "And how do you know that?"
"I just do," she said as she looked up at him, herself still sitting. "Just, have faith in your own self. You're always telling everyone else to. Follow your own advice for once."
Obi-Wan turned his head from her with hands on his hips, letting out a slight huff Why was he always getting lectured by this little girl? He could only laugh because he knew she was right. Turning back he sighed, "Alright, you win. I will have faith my fate has not yet been decided."
"Thank you," Shri'La said as she smiled up at him.
"You're really something else," he said as he ruffled her hair.
"Hey!" she said as she frantically tried to recover her braids from getting tangled.
"Better get back to your room now. And don't forget to speak with Master Yoda tomorrow."
"I won't," Shri'La replied as she stood up. Even standing up his height was still towering over her. She looked up at him. "Well.. goodnight then."
"Goodnight, Shri'La."
As Shri'La walked towards the doorway she stopped to look back. Obi-Wan was still standing in the same spot staring up at the sky. She really wanted to stay to talk more, but she knew he was right. They checked the rooms of the younger ones more often. She may have already been gone too long. Leaving Obi-Wan behind, she began to make her way back to her room with even more questions in her head than she had began with. I must speak with Master Yoda tomorrow, she thought as she quietly made her way through the darkened halls.