Is Sii the most aro ace to ever aro ace? Yes.
(I know it refers to him being celibate, but that's due to him being a Jedi. Aro ace does not equal celibate or vice versa, obviously. He just happens to be both.)
It had been two months since the four Jedi had returned from Algnadesh, and all of them, upon returning, had been enjoying being back in Coruscant and having access to important little things such as favourite places to relax or eat. There had been several times all four of them had been able to go on some educational excursions that always ended up being good fun as well.
But a month in, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had been sent away again, to the Kimm Cresh system in the Mid Rim. Having spent five months being with them so constantly, it was a little peculiar for Sii and Falon to adjust to being on their own again. No assignments came their way, so they focused on training and studying in the Temple, with occasional excursions into the city to observe the behaviour of those around them.
That was how they found themselves in a compact nightclub with deafening music pounding in their ears. Falon watched her padawan shift unsurely in his seat and fiddle with the drink in front of him.
"It's not alcoholic, Sii, don't look so worried," she told him, "It's nice, just try it."
"How is this educational, Master?" He asked, slowly sipping at his beverage. Despite his wary beginning, he quickly relaxed and looked as though he was enjoying the drink after all.
"Two reasons. The first being the noise. The Jedi Temple is too quiet. Times will come when you need to be able to listen through music and chatter on this scale." Falon gestured to the dancefloor filled with twisting and grinding bodies. They were at the back of the club, out of action's way but with a very clear view of everything that was going on.
Sii followed her gaze and lingered on the many public displays of affection and intention being shown. "Why do they do that in public?"
"Many people aren't like Jedi," Falon said, giving him a crooked smile, "They are controlled by base urges. To eat, to sleep, to join with other attractive lifeforms." He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know, you take great pride in your celibacy."
"Why wouldn't I?"
Thoughtfully, she stirred her drink and let her gaze migrate back to the dancefloor. "Some find it restricting. Others see it as a worthy sacrifice."
"What about you? How do you see it?"
"Now that's a very personal question, my young padawan-"
"I apologise, Master, sorry," Sii immediately said, always quick to be nothing but the most polite and respectful Jedi. She shook her head, smiling.
"Because it's you, Sii, I don't mind, but bear in mind to perhaps not ask questions of that nature to any others." Her head tilted to the side as she regarded the question itself. "I believe that for me, it was simply a fact. I am a Jedi, I was born to be one, and that means celibacy. It's never particularly bothered me, nor do I particularly take pride in it or feel it makes me superior."
"Why not? It does make you superior," commented the blue skin teenager.
Her smile was soft as her eyes drifted from him to a couple a few metres away. They were two beautiful women, one human and the other a different species with lilac skin and pure white hair. The way they were gazing at each other was rather intoxicating to watch.
Falon gestured towards them meaningfully. "But look at that. You can see their side of the argument. That kind of love is beautiful. Being half or a part of a larger whole, at least for small whiles."
"I suppose," Sii said, not sounding massively convinced. "It's not always about love, though, it's just about physical gratification. Which I can't understand at all."
"You've never felt that urge?"
"Not remotely."
"Neither have I, despite having met many people that I could objectively see were beautiful," Falon murmured, "Though I'll admit I've always been a little curious as to what such a feeling could be like."
"Distracting, I've always thought," Sii said, frowning, "And as for being part of a whole, we're all part of the Force, so we don't need that."
"Well said," Falon told him appreciatively, clapping him on the shoulder, "Lesson over, time to head back to the temple and get some rest."
That didn't, however, stop Falon from laughing at Sii's haughty expression when he noticed the group of five females watching him and giggling as he went past them to head for the door. The Jedi Knight knew that her padawan had no idea how much of a pleasant physical appearance he had been blessed with, though with the amount of attention he got from all over the universe, he was bound to figure it out eventually. In the meantime, his reactions to admirers would continue to amuse her.
Spectators cheered as Sii managed to block a particularly sly attack from his master, and Falon grinned with pride as she darted back. Their lightsabers met again in blurred flashes, moving in a dance they had practiced many times before. It was well synchronised until Sii broke the pattern, surprising her and resulting in her falling backwards. His triumphant look blazed as he leaned over her, but it didn't last. Her legs came up to push him back so that he was the one on the ground. She leapt to her feet and held the lightsaber to his neck, winning the duel.
The younglings and the Jedi Master looking after them gave an applause and she smiled at them before helping her padawan up, lightsabers already sheathed.
"Almost a victory for you there," Falon said to him.
"I know, I won't forget."
She lifted her eyebrows. "I was about to say well done, but I think now I'm going to amend that to don't be cheeky."
He knew she wasn't particularly serious because he just smirked. "Sorry, Master."
"Master Ti-Tarn!"
The familiar voice made them both turn to see Obi-Wan Kenobi standing at the entrance of the training arena, his arm in a sling.
"Padawan Kenobi," Falon said with a wide smile as she crossed over to him, "When did you return?"
"About half an hour ago."
"You'll have some stories for us, I imagine. I'm interested in the one that will tell what happened to your arm," she said, "Is Qui-Gon done reporting to the council yet?"
"No, and that's actually why I'm here, Master Ti-Tarn," Obi-Wan replied, "The council want to speak with you."
Falon blinked. "Why?"
"I don't know, I was simply told by one of the members of the council to fetch you, but they want you there now."
Falon resisted the urge to sigh and instead just nodded, bidding both padawans goodbye and heading for the council chamber, internally wishing she'd at least had the time to clean up after the duel first.
When she entered the chamber, Qui-Gon was standing in the centre, still in his travelling cloak, and he along with everyone else looked to her upon her arrival.
"Jedi Ti-Tarn, thank you for joining us," Mace Windu greeted. She nodded and bowed respectfully to the Council.
"I admit to being very unsure of why I'm here," she said, coming to stand a little way behind Qui-Gon, who glanced at Yoda, jaw set.
"You're sure about this?" He asked the small Jedi Master, who eyed him evenly.
"The only way, it is."
Mace Windu regarded Falon before saying, "The situation on Kimm Cresh has deteriorated. Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi were forced to flee and return here, but we cannot leave the system in its current state."
"And where do I fit in?"
"Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi would be too easily recognised together upon their return, not to mention the latter sustained an injury to his left arm upon their escape. It has been proposed that Master Jinn return to Kimm Cresh with a different Jedi companion. He mentioned you worked well together on your previous assignment."
"Yes, I like to think we did," Falon said slowly, frowning and feeling as though she was missing something, "But surely even with a different companion, he would be easily recognised if he has enemies there?"
"The two of you will not be arriving as Jedi, but in disguise," Mace Windu told her, "With enough preparation, it should be possible for him to slip under their radar."
"Disguise?" Falon was thankful that her composure allowed her to hide how bizarre she found the prospect. "I see. When do we leave?"
"As soon as the background, you know," Yoda said, "Go now, Qui-Gon. Teach her, you must." Qui-Gon bowed and left, so she quickly followed suit and found him waiting outside.
"So it's really this serious?" She immediately asked, and he nodded.
"We would be leaving tonight if it were possible, but you need to know too much. If we are efficient we can be on our way in a few days."
Falon put her hands on her hips. "We can start right away. I'll be attentive and learn quickly, I promise."
"I'm glad to hear it, but I need a night to rest my head from these matters," Qui-Gon said as they began to walk, and then glanced at her, "Though if you're not doing anything, I'd be glad of the company."
Falon was surprised. "I'd have thought you would want time to yourself. It sounds like things have been hectic for you recently."
"Yes, but I was separated from Obi-Wan for two weeks right up until our hasty departure, so I've been fairly isolated from friendly company. And I found myself missing our little conversations."
"In that case, I can come to your quarters once I've freshened up," she said with a smile. Her words resulted in him giving her a once over and a small sniff.
"Yes, I was wondering what that interesting smell was," he said wryly, and chuckled when she lifted an eyebrow at him. "That was a jest."
"I know, but it's also fair. I do smell."
"But at least you've taken my advice concerning your hair and practicality." His eyes went to where her hair was up in a bun as he had recommended months before.
"It's been helpful, I'll admit, though it's heavy enough that I'm always relieved to let it down." They reached the corner where she had to leave him. "I'll see you soon."
Half an hour later, Falon was outside Qui-Gon's quarters, clean and with her hair in a loose braid. She knocked on the door and smiled when he opened it and invited her inside.
His quarters were practically identical to hers, with a large bed in the back corner, a small kitchen area to the front left, and a dining table nearby. A medium sized living area took up the rest of the space, other than the door which she knew would lead to the refresher.
"So what have you been doing?" Qui-Gon asked, gesturing for her to sit down at the dining table while he made some hot drinks. Falon then explained most of what she and Sii had been getting up to, including that day's duel, and the nightclub excursion. "And he has no idea?"
"I believe that he just thinks they find anything attractive and hence it must include him…he doesn't realise that wherever he goes, he picks up admirers. I happen to believe that even Princess Sierrn was a little taken with him."
"I hadn't thought of it in regards to Obi-Wan until the prince's little gesture," Qui-Gon said as placed a mug in front of her and sat down on the opposite site of the table.
She chuckled. "I look forward to hopefully knowing Obi-Wan long enough that I might be able to tease him about that at a much later date."
Qui-Gon grinned. "And I look forward to hopefully being there to witness it."
"It is bizarre how so many lifeforms put as much stock as they do into physical appearance," Falon said, resting her chin in her hand. As her words left her mouth, she found herself studying Qui-Gon's face. Despite what she'd said, she could appreciate that objectively he was rather handsome, with a strong nose and powerful blue eyes as well as the long brown hair and trimmed beard. The lines on his face conveyed wisdom rather than age, and suited him.
That was when she realised he had said something to her.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" She asked, confused as to how she'd lost focus.
"I was merely agreeing with you," he said, smiling strangely, "And saying that while beauty can be pleasant, it usually serves no actual function. Besides, it's always in the eye of the beholder. What one species finds a desirable trait, another would find very distasteful."
"Exactly. For example some people or species would find this-" She gestured to her braid, "Very nice, while others would prefer me bald."
"Count me with the first category," Qui-Gon said wryly.
Falon smiled. "Thank you. Don't worry, I'm in that category too. And while we're on the subject, I like your hair how it is, and would be similarly disappointed if you did anything to it either."
The image of a bald Qui-Gon flashed through her head and a small giggle escaped her throat. Mortified, she clamped her hand over her mouth. It was exactly the kind of action her usual controlled composure was supposed to stop. But her guard had gone down and now Qui-Gon was looking at her oddly.
"I'm sorry," she said weakly, "I made the mistake of imagining you bald. It was too...funny."
His eyebrows lifted with surprise, but then his lips stretched into a grin. "I can only imagine. Very understandable reaction."
Hesitantly, she smiled back, thoroughly relieved that he was far more easygoing than most other Jedi. She'd have to be careful about letting her guard down around him though - she hadn't worked for years to obtain her composure only to lose it around a friend.
They talked for several more hours, about politics and planets and ecosystems and their old Jedi masters. Falon had even less concrete memories of Master Dooku than she did of young Qui-Gon, but she did remember him seeing rather amused by Qui-Gon's duelling her. Now she learned that she had been correct, and that apparently he had approved of his padawan taking the time to help those younger than him because being able to teach meant that he understood the concepts he himself was learning.
Finally it came time for them to admit that they needed to get a good night's sleep due to having to get to work in the morning with his briefing her on the assignment.
Falon lingered in his doorway for a moment before giving a small nod and smile for a goodbye.
Once back in her own quarters, she lay in bed and considered the dangers that could be ahead of her. It was reassuring to know that she wouldn't be alone, and that she would have Qui-Qon looking out for her. It had been a long time since she had been the junior Jedi on any assignment. There were different implications and pressures involved. She wouldn't be the one expected to be in charge and to have all the answers - she was back to being the follower, and the learner.
The prospect was intriguing and rather exciting. She always felt as though she had so much more to learn, and she didn't doubt there would be a lot that Qui-Gon would be able to teach her across the course of this assignment.
So despite the danger, Falon found herself looking forward to what the following days would bring.
Thanks for reading, let me know what you thought!
-MayFairy :)