Title: Sometimes it’s Simple
Author: Norbooboo
Feedback: Norbooboo@aol.com
Spoilers: just a few for JA books
Rating: G
Category: vignette, drama
Summary: Obi-Wan helps ease a tense situation just be being the sweet kid he is and Qui-Gon realizes his value.
Disclaimer:Everything and everyone belongs to George. I just borrow them for
a while. Have mercy I just can’t help myself.
********
Qui-gon sensed that the people moving around him in the marketplace did not like him. That was putting it mildly. They distrusted and feared him. Mostly the people hung their heads as they neared him, but others dared to look up at him their looks used as weapons. This “simple” mission might turn out to be harder than he thought.
The Sea People’s leaders had done all they could to spread fear of the Jedi to all their people. They had believed that the Jedi would automatically take the side of the Brill. This was, of course, simply untrue. The Jedi did not take sides. However he could not help his thoughts wandering to the not too distant past. Obi-Wan, his young apprentice, had taken sides. The choice had felt like a betrayal, one which Qui-gon was still finding it hard to transcend. He physically shook his head to clear it. There was no need to dwell on his personal worries. Sometimes the past did belong in the past. And yet...
The Jedi Master calmed himself and concentrated on the problem at hand. They needed to get off the streets before anything happened to exacerbate the already tenuous situation. Doing his best not to draw attention to himself, Qui-Gon neared the spot where he and Obi-Wan had agreed to meet.
He was astonished by the sight that greeted him. Sitting on the ground next to a fruit vendor's stall, was Obi-Wan playfully sharing a large muja fruit with a small furry animal. Qui-Gon’s immediate reaction was to laugh.
His apprentice looked more like a child playing hookie from school, than the ferocious warrior he knew him to be in battle. His second thought was that he was not the only one looking at the boy. He could sense eyes from all around focused on Obi-Wan. It would not help matters if his padawan embarrassed them.
Obi-Wan was openly laughing at the antics of the animal to gain a piece of the delicious fruit. He sounded so young to his master; young and happy. At that moment, Qui-gon could not imagine anything more satisfying than watching the scene playing out before him, but he could sense more of the people around them taking notice. He was just about to take action, when he overheard two women in front of him speaking.
“I wonder if my impressions of the Jedi were wrong?” one said to the other.
“I know. The young one isn’t anything like, well anything that I was expecting.” the second woman responded. “I just wish my son had been such a joy.”
“Monjart said he was extremely polite and see how kind he is to the animal.”
“I assume the older one must be kind in his way too. If so perhaps the troubles will soon be over.”
“I pray so!” The first responded.
Qui-Gon stretched out with the force, allowing all the feelings of the lifeforms around him to encircle him. Yes, the troubles would soon be over.
He could sense the future of this mission quite clearly. It would be successful. Already the mood of the marketplace was calmer.
He pushed out further to touch his apprentice’s mind. The Master was bowled over. Obi-Wan was exuding light. He was so connected to the simple joy he was feeling that he had literally become a conduit for the force. It was spilling out from him and washing over the people around him. Qui-Gon was forcefully reminded of how strong his padawan was with the force. Obi-Wan had a difficult time connecting to the living force, but when he did the consequences were brilliant. The Padawan had achieved more just being who his was than his Master had in five hours of tough negotiations.
Qui-Gon was brought back from his reverie by the boy’s laughter. The creature was now licking Obi-Wan’s face and meeting little resistance. It has been too long since he had seen his student truly happy, if he ever had.
He had so much to learn about this wonderful, complex being. It was true that his only real duty was to train this boy to become a Knight, but he was suddenly struck by the truth that he would also raise him as a father raises a son. ‘The force sent him to me to be my son!’ he almost said aloud. Melida/Daan was really in the past now. He gathered his calm around him like a cloak and approached now.
“Your opponent appears to have the upperhand, Padawan.” he said before Obi-Wan had sensed his presence.
The boy started and quickly stood, wiping his now wet face.
“I’m sorry Master....I....I was hungry and....” He looked down at the dirt under his feet, at his boots, anywhere, but into his Master’s face. He did not want to see the disappointment that he believed would be there.
“Do you have anymore?” Qui-Gon asked, looking at the pit in the younger’s hand.
“No master, I don’t. I’m sorry.” Obi-Wan answered, yet again the serious Padawam learner.
“Don’t worry, Padawan,” Qui-Gon said, clapping the boy’s back with his strong hand. “Let’s get some more fruit and head back to our quarters. You will need to be well rested if you are to join me at the negotiations tomorrow.”
Obi-Wan’s smile returned. “Thank you Master.”
After purchasing two more of the delectable muja fruit, Obi-Wan gave one last piece of fruit to his furry friend when he thought Qui-Gon wasn’t looking. It took all of his Jedi calm, for the Master to not break down laughing. He took a deep breath as he followed his student through the marketplace. ‘Sometimes it’s simple.’
The End
This was posted on April 21, 2001.
© 2001 heather.lively@ns.sympatico.ca
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