Warning: There is, hopefully not too graphic, death of animals in this chapter. One from hunting and one from illness.
AN: Italics are Mando'a.
"If you do this, you realize that you will be considered a full and legal adult under all Mandalorian laws?" Master Jinn's voice was quiet and carefully devoid of judgment, for which Obi-wan was grateful.
Ever since his master's apology the two of them had become much closer than before. He hadn't realized that their relationship had been so askew until they started working from the same page. Which was unfortunate for the Jedi Council considering it was a page out of a completely different book entirely.
"Yes, Master, I know. Ba'ji Vizsla made it clear that I had to pass a Verd'goten if I wanted the people of Mandalore to take me seriously," he grimaced, "well, more seriously than they already do." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "The Mand'alor also said it was for the best if we want the plan to work."
Master Jinn folded his arms into his sleeves and Obi-wan had to hide a grin. Ever since he'd started wearing the more traditional Mandalorian styled clothing he'd begun to realize the fun little quirks that came with growing up in Jedi tunics. One of which was hiding your hands whenever you felt anxious or embarrassed.
"I'll be fine, Master. It's only a simple hunting mission. Children do this as young as fourteen here. Need I remind you that I survived on a literal battlefield for months at twelve? I doubt this will be much of a challenge."
The silence and wave of grief stricken regret that met his statement made him pause, his hand hovering over the next item to go into his pack. He turned to look back at his master and felt his own wave of regret in return.
"Master, I- I'm sorry." He said quietly. "I didn't mean it that way." Looking away for a moment he let out a sigh. "I think maybe, if Melidana herself had not interfered, I would have-"
"Don't, Obi-wan." Master Jinn said quietly, his tone firm. "Do not lie to me and more importantly do not lie to yourself." Surprised he looked up into his master's warm, sad, eyes. "Even if you had not been called by a spirit I know you would have still chosen to stay behind." There was no condemnation in his voice, only frustrated fondness. "You have an endless capacity for kindness, Obi-wan, and although you need to learn how to temper it with wisdom it is certainly not a flaw." His master let out a long sigh and chuckled. "I only wish that our circumstances had been a lot less dire so we'd have had time to talk things out properly."
Obi-wan let his packing and went to his master's side. Before this trip to Mandalore he would have hesitated, would have questioned if what he was about to do would be welcome or not. But now? Now when he went to his master's side he knew that his hug would be welcomed with open arms.
Master Jinn chuckled above him, ruffling his hair. "With how easily you get into trouble is it any wonder that I worry?"
Obi-wan snorted as he pulled away. "No, it isn't. But whether I stay or go it seems that trouble will find me regardless." He finished packing quickly and double checked that he had everything he needed. He shouldered his pack and looked up at his master. "Shall we? I don't want to keep the Mand'alor waiting."
Normally it was up to the Alor of a Clan or a close relative, more often than not a parent, to see one off on their Verd'goten. But in this case both his Alor and buir were the same being- a ghost who could not leave their place of rest. So instead of trying to complicate matters they decided it was best if he was considered an orphan. As such Mand'alor Fett had taken it upon themselves to see him off. Since the only other person he could have turned to as an orphan of a Clan was the Clan Armorer. Who would currently be all the way on Concordia and under the watchful eye of Death Watch enthusiasts.
No thank you.
Mand'alor Fett stood with their helmet clipped to their belt as they spoke with another of the survivors, a man named Silas. They were only a few years older than the Mand'alor and seemed disinclined to leave Fett's side for long. Apparently the two of them were about as close as siblings and the Mand'alor had recently invited the man into their Clan.
He'd found it a little odd at first, that they'd taken the name Silas Mereel instead of Silas Fett. But as with all things Ba'ji Vizsla had an explanation.
When a child was adopted they were given the choice to keep their former Clan or Family name as a way to honor their heritage. It was never remarked upon by others as it was a deeply personal choice, which stemmed from the concept of Cin Vhetin. A white field, a blank slate, a new beginning where ones life before was forgotten to make room for new growth. Jango Fett was the child of Jaster Mereel, which made them the Head of the Mereel Clan rather than the Fett Clan.
"Speaker Kenobi, y-you're early." The man beside the Mand'alor said quietly, giving him a nervous smile.
Obi-wan smiled softly in return, knowing how anxious Silas could be. "Since I was already finished packing I thought it would be best not to waste time." He looked up at Fett. "Mand'alor. I am ready to undergo my Verd'goten."
The man watched him quietly for a moment before nodding. "There's a ship set to take you to the location of your trial. During this trial you will be acting as a proper mando'ad, which means your lightsaber must be left behind for the duration. Your trial is to hike into the woodlands of Veskurya, providing for yourself for three days, and then making it back to the shuttle." Turning to the man next to him Mand'alor Fett made a 'gimmie' motion. Silas quickly handed over the wrapped object they'd been holding. "This is a traditional beskad. It's a loan from the armory for this trial."
Obi-wan didn't hesitate. He knelt before the Mand'alor and took the wrapped blade. "I am honored, Alor. I will hand the blade back upon my return, whether I succeed my Verd'goten or not."
It had been talked about beforehand between himself, Ba'ji Vizsla, and Alor Fett. A lightsaber, while his primary weapon and a symbol of his connection to the Order, would be seen by many Mandalorians as a kind of cheat. Especially those with Death Watch leanings. So, to make it seem more fair and traditional, he would have to leave his lightsaber behind. Thankfully Ba'ji Vizsla had a lot off good tips and katas for beskad training and Obi-wan had been practicing for over two weeks now. On top of that he was allowed to bring both a survival knife and a blaster.
It had surprised Fett when he'd easily agreed to those terms. The man asking him if he'd ever even fired a blaster before. His quick explanation that all Jedi got at least some training in the use of blasters seemed to mollify their concerns, at least for the time being.
"Are you certain you don't want to look for armor before you leave for your trial?" The Mand'alor asked him.
This too had already been decided on ahead of time.
"No, Alor. I will not wear armor I have not earned." It was a traditional response and just as easily accepted.
"Then go, with my blessing and the blessing of Manda. May your trial be successful and you return to us as a proper warrior."
Standing he unwrapped the blade and marveled at its make. Unlike common swords this beskar blade was straight, rather than curved. It had belonged to Tarre and kept safely in the Inner Sanctuary's personal armory. The sheath it came with was meant to attach to a Jedi made belt, which he wore over the Mandalorian styled tunics. In exchange he wrapped his lightsaber in the cloth and handed it to the Mand'alor.
He could see a faint tremble of the man's hand and looked up into their face with understanding. "My lightsaber is in your care." He said, switching to Basic.
The man nodded and turned towards Master Jinn. "From my understanding a lightsaber is the like bes'karta of our armor. It houses a piece of the soul. I am entrusting it to you, Jetii Ba'ji Jinn."
Master Jinn bowed and accepted his lightsaber with a smile. "I will guard it well until Speaker Kenobi returns."
And with that the little formal ceremony was complete.
As he was turning to go he heard Mand'alor Fett call out to him. "Kenobi. Keep your eyes open out there, and come back safely."
"I will, Alor. May we meet again soon."
All things considered this trial was not actually all that difficult. At least here he was not being hunted and shot at by beings larger than himself while trying to protect those much smaller than himself from illness, starvation, and death.
If anything being out in the surviving wilds of Manda'yaim made him feel more in touch with the planet itself. Outside the edges of his senses he could feel Manda watching him but he knew that the spirit would not interfere. This was a trial he had to get through on his own.
Hunting and fishing were easy when one had the force. But while Obi-wan did hunt a few fish he decided it was best to survive as long a he could without disturbing the forest. Maybe on the last day he would hunt something larger to bring back, something that would undeniably prove his worth.
The first day passed quickly without incident. By night he'd found a perfect little nook in the hollowed out section of a massive tree, large enough for him to stretch out to sleep if he so wanted.
After preparing and cooking the fish over a small banked fire he pulled his cloak around himself and tucked himself into the trunk of the tree for a good night's rest.
Come morning the coals of his fire were still burning enough to build his fire back up again for breakfast.
He could have stayed in the hollow of the tree all day if he wished, staying in place to not waste energy was a part of survival after all, but something in the Force called to him. Obi-wan had learned never to doubt these feelings he had. So after carefully covering the fire so it wouldn't spread he let himself fall into the Force and followed its whispers deeper into the forest.
By mid-day he was starting to think the Force was playing with him. He wasn't lost or anything such as that, it was only that the Force kept leading him off in odd directions, sometimes doubling back on where he'd already been.
Right when he was about to call it quits, considering that maybe the forest just had an odd way about it that messed with his ability to sense the Force, he heard a loud bark nearby accompanied by a snarl.
Getting as low as he could tot he ground he snuck closer to the noise as the Force urged him onward.
What he came upon was a fierce battle between a shatual, a common larger grazing animal that frequented Mandalore's forests, and a small predator with six legs and a whiplike tail. He'd heard of the animal known as a strill before. They were a common predator on Mandalore and considered good hunting companions. Apparently they were quite adept at hunting shatual and yet something seemed wrong. The strill was limping and looked emaciated. Through the Force he could tell that it was suffering some kind of wasting illness.
Without realizing what he was doing Obi-wan found himself gripping the hilt of the beskad. He'd been planning on hunting a shatual on the last day, so he could take it back to the shuttle with him, but it looked like he would be hunting one now.
Using the Force to hide his presence he crept forward until he was close enough to the warring animals to attack. With a Force assisted jump he launched himself at the shatual, cutting deep into its neck with the beskar blade.
The creature let out a gurgling cry and kicked out at him, not realizing that it was already dead. It fell to the ground a moment later, lifes blood pooling beneath it.
Obi-wan placed a hand on its flank and closed his eyes. "You are one with the Force now."
Hearing a snuffling noise he turned toward the strill and smiled. Crouching down he held out his hand and called to the creature in the Force. 'Safe, friend.' He sent it. Over and over, slowly coaxing it closer until it was snuffling at his hand and letting out curious grumbles.
"Hello there." With the Force he tried to see what was wrong with the creature and flinched when he found that they were weeks, if not days, away from succumbing to their illness. With his presence so entangled in theirs he could feel the creature's intelligence and understood suddenly that it, they, knew they were dying. The only reason they were still trying to hunt was because they had a very young pup who needed them.
But the pain they were in was great, and this shatual was their latest in a string of poor hunts.
He could sense their exhaustion and tears came to his eyes as he gently pat their head. "Where is your pup?"
The strill grumbled defensively and he knew he had to tread carefully. Some things were just too strong to override in an animal for long. He sent along his desire to help, to save the pup and make sure they were okay. Something of his intentions must have made sense to the animal as it yipped and licked at his face before limping toward the edge of the clearing.
Obi-wan stood and looked down at the shatual. It would take some time but now was better than later. "Wait a moment." He told the strill as he pulled out his survival knife.
He took only as much of the shautal meat as he needed for himself and the two strills. He also used the beskad to break off both horns and a small amount of rope to tie the broken pieces into a bundle for easier transportation.
He followed the strill into the forest and realized that much of it he had already passed by earlier when following the Force. The reason he had felt so conflicted earlier was because the adult strill had been hunting for prey while the pup was hiding somewhere safe.
Reaching another hollowed out tree the strill crawled inside a large hole. From inside he could hear the small yips of a very young animal and the grumbling of the adult strill. A moment later they came outside with a small black bundle of fur in their mouth, which they gently placed on the ground at Obi-wan's feet.
Kneeling he examined the pup and realized they were, thankfully, already old enough to be weened off of milk. He pulled out the shatual meat and offered some to both parent and child. The pup ate the meat quickly and with a pang he realized that they had been near starvation. If he had not arrived when he did there was a chance the pup would have died along with the parent.
He spent some time playing with the pup, keeping it entertained as the parent lay down nearby to rest. When he noticed the sun setting he realized he had to return to his own camp and rose to leave.
He didn't get more than three steps before something tugged on his pantleg. He looked down at the parent strill, who let out a whine, and felt his heart breaking at the desperation coming off the creature. "I don't know what you want me to do." He told them. "I can't heal you."
The strill let him go and trotted over to their pup, scooping them up, and bringing them back to him. They placed the pup on the ground then nuzzled them before pushing them closer with their nose.
The implication was quite clear.
"I- I can't take your pup with me." He tried to reason.
The strill let out another whine and he could feel the Force around them pulse. This was a decision that would have a lasting impact.
He looked down at the older strill he knew would soon pass away and then at the pup who would probably not survive after their parent's passing.
Obi-wan knew that life could be harsh and that death was a part of that cycle. But he also knew himself. He was a Jedi and, as his master had reminded him earlier, he was kind.
Obi-wan carefully reached out and picked up the pup, cradling them to his chest. "I'm sorry." He said to the parent. "I'll take care of them."
The adult strill laid down on the ground the let out a quiet bark before they rested their head on their front paws.
Obi-wan hesitated a moment before he knelt and reached out to pet the strill's head one last time. "You're a very good parent. Rest now." With a careful application of the Force he put the strill into a deep slumber. Now they would pass away quietly, without pain.
"Come on, Ca'tra, let's head back to camp."
Obi-wan's return to Sundari was met with cheer, not that he was feeling particularly cheerful himself.
His master and the Mand'alor were waiting to greet him when he came off the shuttle and while his master was grinning at the small animal in his arms the Mand'alor was eying him with confusion.
"I've returned, Mand'alor, with proof of my successful hunt." He said, bringing out the shatual horns and holding them up for all to see.
"Welcome home, Speaker Kenobi. I can see that your hunt went well, and you look no worse for wear. You left a child of your clan and you return a full warrior. Your Verd'goten is concluded, from this day forward you are considered an adult of your Clan. May you serve them well." If anyone thought it was strange that Fett had not actually named the Clan he was referring to they didn't say anything. For which Obi-wan was grateful. "Now…" Fett said, eyes falling on the little whining bundle of fluff in his arms, "what in the hell did you bring back with you?"Their tone was more confused than anything and Obi-wan couldn't help chuckling in response.
Carefully Obi-wan shifted the strill pup until they looked less like a fuzzball and more like the six legged creature they were. "This is Ca'tra. Their parent passed away from an illness and left them in my care. They are an odd coloring for a striil. I thought they only came in golds, browns, and tans."
Fett sucked in a breath of surprise and Obi-wan could feel the sudden excitement in the room. "A black striil? And you named them Ca'tra? Kenobi, are you trying to revive every age old legend on Manda'yaim?" They snapped, more exasperated than angry.
"I… didn't know there was a legend about a black striil." He said sheepishly as Ca'tra slobbered on his arm.
"Of course you didn't." Fett said, voice completely devoid of emotion.
Master Jinn was grinning ear to ear as he stepped forward. "Obi-wan, did you bring home an infant animal?" It was obvious that his master wanted to hold them so he carefully handed them over.
It was almost hilarious how the Mandalorians nearby all seemed to waver between awe and confusion as the dignified Jedi Master allowed the small animal to slobber all over him as he cooed with joy.
"I'm afraid that I won't be able to keep them, I know nothing about striile, and being a part of the Order means I won't have time to train them properly. I was hoping to find someone to adopt them, someone who would keep the oath I swore to their parent." He said quietly to Fett as his master asked Silas about strills and their eating habits.
Mand'alor Fett was quiet for a long time before their eyes hardened with determination. "I'll take them." They said, just as quietly. "Jaster… my buir once promised me that when things simmered down, and if I could prove that I'd be a good caretaker, that I'd be allowed to adopt a striil." There was a profound sense of grief mixed with joy as they eyed the little black creature. "Ca'tra will have a good home with me."
Obi-wan smiled and reached over to place his hand on the man's arm. "Thank you."
Fett looked down at him and shook their head. "No debt." The fact that they didn't move away from his hand was a vast improvement on their first meeting and Obi-wan couldn't help but to smile.
"Oh, right!" Stepping away he untied the beskad from his waist and held it out to the Mand'alor with both hands. "This blade served me well during my trial. I am returning it to you, with gratitude."
Fett grinned at him and with an open palm pushed the offered blade back towards his chest. "Consider it a gift for completing your Verd'goten. Wear it with honor, and may it serve you well in the future."
Even knowing that this would happen ahead of time he still felt a sort of giddy glee at being able to keep the beautiful blade.
"I will."
Another week flew by and Obi-wan was feeling anxious. His bracers had finally been completed and were ready to be presented to him. After this he would no longer need to remain on Mandalore. Their mission would be over.
"Don't fret, Padawan mine, we will return as often as we can between missions. You still have much to learn from Master Vizsla and I am curious to see if I finally can wear Mand'alor Fett down. Allowing the Agricorps on Mandalore would go a long way to both revitalizing the planet and building bridges between our peoples."
Obi-wan let out a snort of amusement. While Fett and he got along quite well the Mand'alor was still wary around Master Jinn, and often couldn't remain in his presence too long before he had some 'urgent matter' to deal with. Thankfully Master Jinn didn't try to press the issue.
"I'm worried about what the Council will say when they realize what I've done. Today is going to be all over the holonet." Just thinking about it had him chewing on his lips with nervousness.
"You let me handle the Council. While Mandalorians may consider you a legal adult you are still only a Padawan of the Order. Which means that you are my responsibility." The man paused for a moment before squaring his shoulders and becoming more serious. "The longer we have remained on Mandalore the more I have come to realize what the Force has been telling me for some time. I've ignored it for far too long but now I am beginning to glimpse this future that Master Vizsla has been warning us about. The Force has become more clear. I would be a fool not to listen."
Obi-wan felt warmth pool in his chest as his anxiety fell away. But there was still one last worry to think about. "What if they kick me out of the Order?" He'd already left once and been kicked out another time. What was to say that it wouldn't be more permanent this time?
"Padawan, what is more important? Following the will of the Council? Or the will of the Force?"
He hesitated, but only for a moment. "The will of the Force, master."
Master Jinn nodded. "I've been in contact with some other Masters who feel much the same. They have each agreed that if the Council were to send us out of the Coruscant Temple then both the Green Jedi of Corellia and the Altisian Jedi of Bespin will take us in."
Obi-wan knew his eyes had gone wide in his face. "Th-they will?"
"Yes, Padawan. While the Coruscant Temple is certainly the largest of the Order they are not the only ones who follow the will of the Force."
Obi-wan let out a whoosh of air. "I… why didn't I ever think of that?" He asked, clutching at his hair in mild distress.
Master Jinn pulled him into a firm hug. "Because it is our home. The only home we have ever known. Leaving it behind will seem like a near impossible decision but it is one that you have already made before for the good of others. Only this time you will not be making that decision alone."
He relaxed into his master's hold and just let himself exist in the warm space that was his master's presence for a long moment before pulling away. "If the Council sees reason then we won't have to make a decision."
Master Jinn nodded. "We can only hope that they do, and wait on the Force to guide us. Now, you must finish getting ready. You have a very important ceremony to go to and you don't want to look like you've just rolled out of bed."
Obi-wan rolled his eyes, an expression he never thought he'd be able to get away with before but now it only made his master chuckle at him. "I'm going, Master, I'm going."
Pacing back and forth in the small waiting area off the side of the throne room Obi-wan tried to release all of his anxiety into the Force. In a matter of minutes he would be going out in front of a crowd of reporters and journalists from across the Mandalore Sector. On top of that there were holocams placed around the room set to both broadcast and record.
'You will be fine, young one.' A gentle whisper from his Ba'ji made him stop and take a deep breath.
"I know, Ba'ji, but I can't help being nervous. What if something goes wrong?" He muttered under his breath, knowing that Ba'ji Vizsla could still hear him. The more time he spent in the Temple the stronger his Ba'ji's presence had become. Almost as if tying themselves to Obi-wan made their connection to the world of the living stronger.
'I have every faith that you will handle anything that comes your way.' There was the sensation of something rustling through his hair and he smiled.
"Thank you, Ba'ji."
The door to the throne room opened and he could hear the din beyond. The guard placed their hand on their chest plate and bowed their head toward him. "They are ready for you now, Speaker Kenobi."
Obi-wan inhaled, held it for a second, then exhaled. "I am ready." He told the guard as he made his way out into the throne room of the Sundari palace.
Walking slowly down an aisle set out between two groups, the Clan Chiefs on one side and the press on the other, he nodded politely to the guards who stood between him and those who had come to witness the day's event.
Stopping ten feet before the throne he looked up at Mand'alor Fett, who was hiding their discomfort well. Like the first time they'd met he placed his four fingers against his forehead then pressed his open palm over his heart. "My name is Obi-wan Kenobi, and I speak with the voice of Manda. As you have called me, so I have come."
Fett stood from the throne and made their way down the stairs, so that they could stand as equals. "I, Mand'alor Jango Fett of Clan Mereel, welcome Speaker Kenobi to Manda'yaim." They looked out over the crowd. "All of Manda'yaim will bear witness today of two major events. The first, is that we welcome Kenobi as a child of Manda and a citizen of Manda'yaim. They recently underwent their Verd'goten and are now considered an adult of their Clan." Motioning to someone off the side Obi-wan smiled with surprise when he realized it was Myles carrying the heavy looking case.
They stepped forward and knelt, presenting Fett with the case. Opening the lid in full view of those present a loud gasp and mutterings could be heard as everyone took in the contents. Inside were a pair of delicately detailed bracers with slots that were designed to fit his kyber crystals perfectly should he ever lose his lightsaber and require a safe place to put them.
"These were made by the Temple Armorer, may you wear them well and with honor." Picking up the first Fett held it out and gave him a small nod. Obi-wan held out his arm and marveled at how well the first one fit, and how the beskar seemed to hum pleasantly in the Force. After the second was clasped around his other arm he turned and held them up for all to see.
The cheering was a little much but he understood that Mandalorians were an energetic bunch that always lived in the moment. So a little bit of levity was expected.
"The second, is the adoption of Obi-wan Kenobi into one of our most ancient Clans."
Anticipation and excitement rose as the whispering began to pick up again. There were many Clans that could be considered ancient, Fett being one of them.
"Obi-wan Kenobi, do you accept the offer of your new buir to become part of their Clan?"
This was it. After this he would forever be tied to Mandalore and its people. "Yes."
"As your buir currently cannot be here to accept you into their Clan I will stand in their place." Fett looked out over the crowd for a moment, silencing the much louder whispers. "I welcome you to Clan Vizsla, child of Tarre Vizsla, Speaker of Manda and Mand'alor the Star Touched."
The saying 'you could hear a pin drop' would have been accurate in the terrible silence that followed.
Then everything erupted into sound.