Title: Role Model
Author: The Cheshire Cat
Email: cheshire_cat78@yahoo.com
Feedback: yes, please
Timing: Pre-TPM, Obi-Wan is 17.
Spoilers: yes for JA books.
Rating: PG
Archive: yes, OKEB, Padpun, Jedi-Apprentice, Swff and Early Years. Others please just tell me before hand.
Disclaimer: George Lucas owns them. I don't. I make no money - from this or anything else.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!"
It had begun as a verbal exchange between the two seventeen year old boys, but quickly escalated to a shoving match.
Chir-ne was a Kutirian, about Obi-Wan's height, with a heavily built body. They hadn't been arguing about anything of great consequence - their fight sprung more from adolescent hormones than anything else.
Chir-ne's hand went to his lightsabre hilt, but he did not activate the blade. Both boys stood back, panting. They were in the dining hall during second lunch - the one reserved for young people. Second lunch usually involved a great deal of teasing and horseplay, but a real altercation of any kind was rare. Obi-Wan's friend Bant watched the proceeding fearfully. She'd tried to stop him, but he'd shrugged off her restraining hand. The boys regarded each other warily.
"Obi-Wan, please," Bant begged. "Just leave it alone. Sit down."
She might as well have saved her breath. Obi-Wan was totally focused on the boy in front of him.
"Go ahead," he taunted. "Go ahead and draw. If you draw first, then it'll be your fault."
Chir-ne's eyes narrowed. "Sure, Kenobi," he snarled. He made as if to return the hilt to his belt. "Whatever you say!" With that, he activated the blade and lunged forward.
Obi-Wan felt it coming and had his blade up and activated a split-second before Chir-ne's blade met his with a hiss.
The frightened gasps of the other children registered vaguely on Obi-Wan's brain. He was so focused on his opponent that he did not sense his Master's approach. He and Chir-ne suddenly found themselves sitting on the ground, knocked down by the power of Qui-Gon's mind.
Obi-Wan winced. His bottom hurt. Qui-Gon had not been gentle when he'd tossed the boys to the ground.
"What in the name of all that's holy do you think you're doing?"
/Oh, Sith/
Without thinking, Obi-Wan said the first thing that came to his mind: "He started it."
Qui-Gon swallowed hard. How many times had he heard Xanatos say that? The Jedi Master took a deep breath.
"Give me your blades. Both of you."
The two now-terrified Padawans handed over their hilts.
Qui-Gon fitted both of the hilts into his large palm. He looked at them with something akin to sadness.
"You dishonored your blades today by drawing them in our sacred Temple. Padawans, we are Guardians of the Peace. We do *not* brawl around children."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said, blushing.
"Yes, Master Jinn," Chir-ne echoed, his face a picture of mortification.
"You will not dishonor these blades again," Qui-Gon said. He held them out in front of himself, letting go with his hand, but holding them steady with the Force. Obi-Wan and Chir-ne both reached for their blades.
"No, leave them," Qui-Gon said sternly. Both boys looked at him questioningly. The Jedi Master drew his own blade, igniting the green glow. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, seeking patience. When he opened his eyes, he brought his own blade down swiftly, cutting through the hilts of both lightsabres simultaneously.
Obi-Wan stared in shock. Had his Master really just severed his lightsabre? Or was this some horrible nightmare from which he would soon awaken?
Qui-Gon did not look at his Apprentice. He was too angry to deal with him at the moment. Instead, he turned, his cloak swirling about him. "Come, Padawan."
Obi-Wan retrieved the still-smoking halves of his lightsabre, trying not to burn himself in the process. The other young people in the dining hall stared after him, some in shock, some in sympathy.
Qui-Gon strode firmly down the hall, refusing to shorten his stride to accommodate for his Padawan's shorter legs. Obi-Wan trailed after his Master, nearly having to jog to keep up.
Reaching their quarters, Qui-Gon keyed in the code and the door swished open. Obi-Wan scooted through the portal, closing it behind him.
"Master, I-"
"No, Obi-Wan. I don't want to hear it. I'm not calm enough to deal with you at present. I will meditate on this unfortunate turn of events and we will speak later. In the mean time, I think you could benefit from some solitary reflection in your quarters."
Obi-Wan winced. He hated it when Qui-Gon sent him to his room. It usually meant the Master had more time to think up something creatively evil to punish him with. He nodded to the older man, however, and entered his room.
Obi-Wan threw himself down on his sleep-couch. He couldn't believe this. Yes, he supposed he'd provoked Chir-ne, but the other boy *had* drawn his blade first. Obi-Wan rationalized his behavior as self-defense.
_*_*_
Qui-Gon paced the living room. He'd tried meditating, but found himself
consumed by an unusual amount of impatience. Perhaps he needed to go down
to the practice rooms and run through a few drills.
Qui-Gon wasn't sure if he should believe Obi-Wan about the fight being the other boy's fault. He'd heard his previous Apprentice say those words too many times - he'd indulged Xanatos. Should he indulge Obi-Wan the same way?
_*_*_
Obi-Wan sat dejectedly on his sleep couch, knees drawn up to his chest,
staring mournfully out the small window. He looked up as his Master
entered. Qui-Gon didn't look angry, Obi-Wan noticed with surprise.
Instead he looked sad, which cut Obi-Wan to the quick.
"Come, Padawan," Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan blinked. "Where are we going?"
"The Council chamber."
"Why?"
"I should hope that was fairly obvious, Padawan."
Obi-Wan winced. "Somehow I have a bad feeling about this."
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. "You assume correctly. But the Council is waiting for us - let's go."
"Waiting for *us*? Both of us?"
"Yes, both of us."
"Master, I don't understand."
Qui-Gon regarded his Padawan. "Apparently the Council feels that I have neglected to instill in you a proper respect for the rules."
Obi-Wan winced. It was one thing to get himself in trouble, but quite another to get his Master in trouble too.
"Master, I'm sorry."
"Yes, Padawan. I know."
_*_*_
During the turbo-lift ride to the Council chambers, Qui-Gon did not say a
word to his Apprentice. He was furious with the boy for letting his temper
get the better of him. He was all the more furious that the boy had drawn
his blade in a room full of children.
To his credit, Obi-Wan was sufficiently frightened. It was not every day that he did something bad enough to warrant an official reprimand. In fact, the only time he'd ever spent in the chamber that was not mission-related had been after the disastrous experience on Melida/Daan.
When they reached the highest point in the Temple - the highest point on Coruscant - Obi-Wan was somewhat startled to notice that Chir-ne and his Master were also there.
"We're all on the mat this time," Qui-Gon muttered under his breath to his Padawan. Obi-Wan looked up at his Master and felt a faint smile tug at his lips.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. Then he closed his eyes for a brief moment. Upon opening them, he took three decisive strides into the center of the room. The other three followed him.
"Speak, you will. Each in turn," Master Yoda said sternly. He gestured to Obi-Wan to begin.
/Why me?/
"Master Yoda, we were in the dining hall during second lunch. I accidentally bumped Chir-ne with my tray and he turned around and pushed me and then I pushed him back. Then we yelled a little bit and then he drew his lightsabre. So I drew mine to defend myself. And then Master Qui-Gon was there and he cut our lightsabres in half."
Obi-Wan stopped, largely because he didn't know what else to say.
Yoda turned to the other boy. "Chir-ne, speak you will to your defense."
"Well, Master," Chir-ne began. "That's not exactly the way it happened. I was walking through the dining hall and apparently Obi-Wan thought I cut him off. He knocked into me from behind. I pushed him away from me, but then he started shoving me back. Then he provoked me with insults."
Master Gallia raised a well-manicured eyebrow. "But you did draw your blade first?" She asked, although she knew the answer. The Council had viewed the monitor-droid's read-out before speaking with the boys.
Chir-ne willed his feet not to shuffle. "Yes, Master Gallia. I did draw first."
The Council nodded and Obi-Wan knew they were telepathically debating his future punishments. He tried very hard to look contrite.
After a few moments, Master Gallia spoke again. "Chir-ne, for this infraction of the rules, you are hereby placed on Temple-probation for one standard year. If, in that time, we have to discipline you again, you will be dishonorably discharged. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Master."
She nodded and turned slightly to face Obi-Wan. "You, Obi-Wan Kenobi, are similarly placed on probation, but because we believe you did not initiate the encounter, your probate-period will be for one-half year only."
Obi-Wan nodded, slightly numb. Temple-probation was much more than just a simple warning. It involved serious demerits and it would be a permanent black-mark on his training record. The demerits would have to be worked off through extra chores and - this was the part he hated - duty in the crèche.
The Padawans' lecture over with, the two boys were asked to wait on the balcony outside. To prevent further altercations between the two, each was sent to an opposite balcony.
Qui-Gon and Chir-ne's Master, a hard-faced man by the name of Lartok, stood in the circle.
"What to say have you?" Yoda asked.
Qui-Gon shrugged. "They're young. It happens."
Yoda scowled at his former Padawan. "Irritating you are, Qui-Gon. Serves you right to have a Padawan like Obi-Wan. Know now what I went through, you do."
Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "Master Yoda, I do not know what you wish me to say. I'm certainly not going to defend my Padawan. He's quite capable of doing that himself. He's been arguing with me since he was twelve years old. He's perfected the art."
Yoda made a small 'hmmph' noise, and he shifted in his seat. Master Mundi looked at Qui-Gon sternly. "You should instruct your Padawan that this type of behavior is not acceptable."
Qui-Gon's face hardened. He never liked it when anyone told him how to do something when he knew perfectly well how to do it himself. "I will," he said ominously. "Believe me, I will."
Mundi next addressed Lartok. "Your Padawan has much anger in him. See to it that he does extra meditations."
/Two marks to Mundi for stating the blatantly obvious,/ Qui-Gon thought to himself.
Lartok also looked aggravated by the Council member.
"Yes, Master," he managed to grate out between clenched teeth.
"Very well," said Master Gallia. "We leave you to dispense your own forms of discipline above and beyond the probation periods should you so desire it."
Qui-Gon bowed, as did Lartok. Each one fetched his Padawan and they descended to the main levels in silence.
********
"Well, Padawan," Qui-Gon began once they were back in their quarters.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
Obi-Wan swallowed. It had been a long time since his Master had last been this irked by his behavior. The younger man looked up at Qui-Gon and said the only thing he could. "I'm sorry."
Qui-Gon seated himself gracefully on the meditation mat and motioned for Obi-Wan to join him.
"Padawan, I had hoped you'd grown out of such adolescent tendencies. I see now that I was mistaken. I know you did not start this 'incident' but I do know that you provoked the other boy. We are Guardians of the Peace, my young Apprentice. We *never* provoke others."
Obi-Wan didn't trust his voice – he was afraid it might crack if he tried to say anything. So he merely nodded.
Qui-Gon continued, "We may be warriors, Obi-Wan, but we only fight for those who cannot defend themselves. Fighting with your peers is but one of many paths to the Dark Side. I *never* want to see you engaging in that kind of behavior again."
Qui-Gon noticed that Obi-Wan's features were set in his 'stubborn look.' It was a look the Jedi Master knew only too well. He knew that nothing he said or did would have any impact on the boy unless he understood the reasons behind it. Gently, Qui-Gon tipped Obi-Wan's head back till he looked him in the eye.
"The young children look up to you and the other older Padawans. You know this. You did the same thing at that age. What sort of impression did you leave with them today?"
Obi-Wan tried to look away, but his Master held his gaze.
Qui-Gon's voice was low and soft, but held an unmistakable note of iron in it. "Answer me, Padawan."
"Not a very good one," Obi-Wan said, blushing.
"You frightened them, Obi-Wan. Did their fear appeal to your vanity? Were you showing off?"
Obi-Wan's eyes opened wide. "No, Master. That was never my intention."
Qui-Gon nodded, pleased with the answer.
"Padawan, you know – I hope – that your behavior today is absolutely unacceptable. You know that fighting on Temple grounds is prohibited," he paused, waiting for some response from Obi-Wan.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said. He knew Qui-Gon was waiting for him to say something and it was the only appropriate thing that came to mind.
"I've spoken with you before regarding this… habit of yours – numerous times, in fact. And yet, you continue to brawl. If it's not in the dining hall it's in the corridors or the classrooms."
"Yes, Master."
Qui-Gon sighed. Sometimes it seemed as though he and Obi-Wan were the perfect team and at others, as if they were from different galaxies.
"Obi-Wan, I've done everything I know to do with you. I've set you extra meditations, extra lessons, and extra chores. I've put you in isolation with the other boys in an attempt for the two of you to work things out. And now you have an official reprimand on your file. Yet, somehow, I have a feeling that you will continue to misbehave. You know this behavior is unacceptable. I know you know it. So, tell me, Padawan – what can I do to make you follow the rules?"
Obi-Wan looked stricken. "I try, Master. It's just…" he trailed off, not sure what else to say.
"What's the matter, Padawan?"
"Things just happen to me, Master. I can't explain it."
Obi-Wan was startled to hear his Master laugh at that. Qui-Gon's laughter died away after a long moment and he looked at his Padawan.
"Things just happen to you? Well, Padawan, I think that's the most entertaining excuse I've ever heard."
Obi-Wan grinned impishly at his Master. "Perhaps it is the will of the Force," he said.
Qui-Gon quirked an eyebrow. "Indeed," he replied slowly. He regarded his Padawan intently. "Obi-Wan, you have enough demerits stacked up against you at the moment – to such an extent that you will have five hours of menial tasks every day for the next six months. Answer me honestly, Padawan. Is it enough to keep you out of trouble?"
Obi-Wan sighed. He hated it when Qui-Gon made him set his own punishment.
"I hope so, Master."
"You hope? Obi-Wan, that is not the answer I was looking for. Be decisive, my Apprentice. A straightforward 'yes' or 'no' will be sufficient."
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He knew he couldn't lie to his Master. "No, Master."
Qui-Gon nodded, pleased with Obi-Wan for having to make such a difficult decision.
"Very well, Padawan. In that case, I believe I have just the thing."
Obi-Wan's eyes fluttered open wide. "M-master?"
"Seeing as you managed to frighten any number of young children this morning, I think it would be beneficial to both you and them if you were to 'volunteer' for such a task."
"What exactly do you want me to do, Master?"
"An old friend of mine has told me that she is planning an excursion with the four-year-olds this coming week."
"You want me to baby-sit?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously.
Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "I think that you can provide these impressionable youngsters with a positive role model. Besides, I have a feeling that such an… adventure will be a sufficient deterrent for any more fighting outside the practice rooms."
Obi-Wan had always prided himself on his ability to discuss events calmly and maturely with his Master. But he had never been told to supervise a group of four-year-olds before. The thought of it reduced him to begging.
"Please, Master, anything but that."
"Oh, no, Padawan. This is something you richly deserve."
The End
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