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Author	Topic: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/21/08!
Ranil-Starwing Registered: Sep '07	Date Posted: 5/15 1:10pm Subject: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/21/08! - Date Edited: 5/21 12:51pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Ranil-Starwing
	Qui-Gon must come to terms with his past in order to look to the future. Soon to include Obi-Wan, Tahl, and... someone else... The Jedi Temple, many agreed, was legend in the making. Even as far as the Outer Rim, one might chance across and old storyteller describing a long-past journey to Coruscant for an audience of wide-eyed young ones, dwelling on the majestic pinnacles, the strong, firm construction, the unparalleled sense of awe inspired. It was a sacred place, a sanctuary where few walked unchanged, if they entered at all. Those who lived there, however, maintained slightly different views of the Temple. It was more than a haven from the galaxy outside — it was home, where thousands of beings were bound together as one family in the will of the Force. Most, it was true, did not reside in the Temple. They were scattered near and far across the known galaxy, possessing a duty to maintain balance and order. But nearly all of them returned to Coruscant once in a while to take a respite in the peaceful, meditative atmosphere and to reconnect with the Force. Qui-Gon Jinn could not find peace there. It was home, yet he was unable to feel its solitude. Everything was dark; not the warm, velvety comfort of a star-strewn night, but an icy, piercing unknown filling his consciousness. He could feel it taking hold of him, drawing him, and he made no effort to escape, wishing only to sink into its depths to numb the pain. He was restless, too; everywhere he went he could feel eyes watching him, and if he happened to glance up, they quickly looked away, as though afraid to meet his gaze. It was not a question of why. He knew why. Memories resided in every room and corridor, haunting him. The boy sparring with a fellow apprentice in one of the training areas, his lightsaber swirling elegantly through the air around that of his opponent. The boy eagerly trying to locate his home planet in the starmap room after one of their missions. The dark-haired young man who had passed the trials of Knighthood with flying colors, making Qui-Gon prouder than he had ever been… Qui-Gon knew it was his own fault. It was he who had brought Xanatos to the Temple, taking him from a barely-willing father on Telos. He who had trained him, spent more time with him than anyone else. And yet he had been blind to what should have been apparent, perhaps unwilling to admit that the talented young Jedi could have dire faults. He had firmly ignored Xanatos’ growing hunger for power and unnecessary aggressiveness during practice. Had he hoped the boy would grow out of it as he became older? It seemed a pitifully inadequate excuse now. For he had been wrong, fatally wrong. How in the galaxy could he not have seen it? No matter that the Council (except, perhaps for, Yoda) had been caught unawares as well; he, as Xanatos’ master, should have at least realized that something was out of place. But no, Qui-Gon had turned a blind eye to any signs there might have been, convinced that his apprentice would become an outstanding Jedi Knight. The burden of responsibility was placed on him and him alone. Three days had gone by since the betrayal on Telos, but Qui-Gon had barely noticed their passing. He isolated himself from the rest of the Temple, keeping distance between himself and other Jedi. If he had to talk, he spoke with only the briefest of words, then lapsed into silence again. Most gave up after one or two attempts at drawing him into conversation, and far from being upset about this, Qui-Gon encouraged the silence. Words of comfort and sympathy had no meaning for him anymore. He did not want their pity. Only two Jedi would he consent to speak more than a few words to — Yoda, because he knew the little master would not accept otherwise, and Tahl. With the latter, she refrained from mentioning the source of his troubles, and for this Qui-Gon was grateful. He did not want to talk about it, though he knew that word of what had happened had spread through most of the Temple within hours of his return. Other Jedi were wary of him now, skirting him as though afraid he might vent his feelings on them. To make matters worse, the Jedi Council was not pleased with him, either. Qui-Gon had refused to give them an official report, and it was only through Tahl’s gentle encouragement and Yoda’s adamant insistence that he was persuaded to explain what had occurred. He realized, too, that they wanted him to take another apprentice. On this matter, however, he remained unwavering. He would not train another apprentice and risk betrayal again. Not after Xanatos. Qui-Gon was lost. It was as though his apprentice’s betrayal had instigated a sudden pause in the usual goings-on of his life, and until he could overcome his grief and guilt, he could not see what lay ahead. But why worry about the future? What did it matter anymore — it could not change events of the past. He felt trapped, trying to forget the memories burned into his mind, yet unwilling to look towards what might come later. A small part of him knew this could not continue. Facing his fears was the only was to resolve the feelings inside of him. But he was not ready not yet. It was much too soon, the anguish and he who had caused it were still too near. One day, perhaps, he would make up for this mistake. For now, he could only remember. To be continued soon... -----signature----- "So this is how liberty dies: to thunderous applause." ~Senator Padme Amidala
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monkeykelci Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 5/15 3:41pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	That was pretty good.. You caught my attention.. PM when you update, I think that I'd like to see this one through! -----signature----- Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records. Padawan Learner to Oddball_62!! =]
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 5/15 5:05pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	I thought you captured Qui-Gon's despair very well. I really liked that people tried to talk to him and he shut them out, prefering silence and his own walls to any contact with other Jedi. Great job so far! -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 8/16/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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Ranil-Starwing Registered: Sep '07	Date Posted: 5/15 5:10pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	Thank you guys very much so far! I really do appreciate comments. -----signature----- "So this is how liberty dies: to thunderous applause." ~Senator Padme Amidala
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Gkilkenny Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 5/16 5:26am Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	A brilliant start with attention grabbing words. The Jedi Temple, many agreed, was legend in the making Your written description of the galaxy and the temple is excellent. Beautiful description of Qui-Gon, and his despair is evident. Three days had gone by since the betrayal on Telos, but Qui-Gon had barely noticed their passing. He isolated himself from the rest of the Temple, keeping distance between himself and other Jedi. If he had to talk, he spoke with only the briefest of words, then lapsed into silence again. Most gave up after one or two attempts at drawing him into conversation, and far from being upset about this, Qui-Gon encouraged the silence. Words of comfort and sympathy had no meaning for him anymore. He did not want their pity. I can imagine closing himself off to the rest of the temple A great start looking forward to more -----signature----- Padawan to p_stotts Peace over anger - honour over hate - Strength over fear. Links to Stories in my Bio. Obi-Wan forever.
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p_stotts Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 5/16 11:21am Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	Great start! You portray Qui-Gon's despair very well without going overboard. Looking forward to more. -----signature----- If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans for your life. Proud master to Gkilkenny! Stories in my bio. 9/19/2008 is National Talk Like A Pirate day in the U.S. Everyone else join in too! Arr! Avast ye landlubbers!
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Babydoll_unlimited Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 5/16 3:18pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	I really like your style of writing!! I can barely wait for the next chap. -----signature----- Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. - Mark Twain
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Ranil-Starwing Registered: Sep '07	Date Posted: 5/18 12:31pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Chapter 1: Remember
	Many years later…. They say that with time, comes healing. That as weeks slowly turn into months, and months into years, pain of a word or event lessens and the victim becomes adapted to it. In a sense, the hurt is numbed until it is no longer noticed. If one is not inclined to dwell in the past, it might even be forgiven. It is said that even the most grievous wrong can be forgiven and forgotten with the passage of time. Many find solace in what they believe to be the beginning of a better life, a new start after a varyingly hurtful fall. It is with determination that they resolve to let that healing come and to face the years ahead without thinking of the past. It is said that the possibility of such a cure exists in the hearts and minds of all. One must only allow it to take shape. Qui-Gon still didn’t believe a word of it. For him, the pain had not diminished. It seemed just as real, just as scarring, as it had that day so many years ago. Every time he even looked at his apartment he was reminded of Xanatos. That, he had concluded, was Yoda’s fault, for the master had flatly refused to allow him to move to a smaller, single-Jedi set of rooms. So now he was living in a Master-Padawan apartment that was devoid of a Padawan. Another subtle hint on his master’s part indicating that he should take on an apprentice? But Qui-Gon would not. He refused to risk it again. Not a week went by in which he did not berate himself for his folly and wish he could have seen what affection had blinded him to. Why had he refused to see it? Because you did not wish to see it, a small voice said from the back of his mind. The worst part of it was, it was true. It had been so foolish, so arrogant of him to believe that Xan — no, he would not think about it again. He had already convinced himself of his mistake. Why make it worse? It would not help. It never did. “And it can’t be changed,” Qui-Gon murmured quietly to himself, though a regretful sigh escaped his lips. He let his eyes roam the contours of the darkened meditation chamber, the slits of light glowing softly in the spaces between the blinds. It was a warm, calm atmosphere, a place where he could avoid the main activity of the Jedi Temple and reflect. The soft tap of a stick broke into those reflections. “Master Qui-Gon.” It was merely a statement, not a question. Yoda was often like that. Only a little startled, Qui-Gon pushed away the light flicker of annoyance that had skimmed through his meditations upon perceiving the echo of the other Jedi Master’s alternating pattern of shuffling and tapping. “Master Yoda,” he acknowledged in return, uncrossing his long legs and slipping to the edge of the round meditation seat. A rather awkward pause followed, at least on Qui-Gon’s part. He had a nasty feeling that Yoda knew what he had been thinking about moments before and he didn’t like it very much. The little Jedi Master, however, had not come to discuss the other’s feelings. Squinting his large eyes and folding three-fingered hands on the knobby top end of his stick, Yoda peered up at Qui-Gon in an unnervingly knowing fashion. “Heard, you have, of the competition between the Padawans soon to come?” “Yes,” Qui-Gon replied shortly. As if he needed another reminder. Ever since that day, he had become a far more solitary individual than he had ever been in the years before Xanatos. It was with willingness that he agreed to undertake solo missions, more often than not on some far-flung Mid or Outer Rim world overrun with complications. It helped him to keep his mind from dwelling on what had transpired. And at least, if he were alone, he would not be in danger of losing someone else during the course of an assignment. He had also avoided contact with the Padawans as much as was politely possible. They reminded him too much of what he had lost through his own ignorance. Silent for a moment, as though listening to Qui-Gon’s thought process, Yoda gazed solemnly at the tall Jedi. Then his normally unreadable countenance softened into one of resigned pity. “Exciting, most would find it,” Yoda pointed out gently. “Interested, they would be.” “And I do not find it so.” Yoda nodded understandingly, which somehow annoyed Qui-Gon even further. “Know this already, I do. Yet still present, I wish you to be, during this tournament.” Highly suspicious now, the other Jedi turned very slowly to look at him, grey-blue eyes narrowed and flashing irritation. So Yoda was playing this game again. “Master Yoda,” Qui-Gon said as respectfully as he could manage, “I believe we have been through this before. I told you then, and I am reminding you now: I will not take another Padawan as my apprentice. You think placing me in a position where I will have to watch their skills will alter my decision?” “Hmm,” said Yoda. “Hard, you are, Qui-Gon Jinn. Adamant, you believe your choice to be?” He held up his hand before the other could answer. “Vow such solitude, other Jedi have. But of it, no good has come. Isolate yourself, you do, Master Jinn. Your own choice, it is, but not as one of a Jedi.” “My decision, Master Yoda,” Qui-Gon replied evenly, “is exactly that.” Did Yoda always have to rebuke him for choosing not to take another apprentice? He, of all the Jedi, should have understood why Qui-Gon had taken that path. Then his mask of civility shattered. “What do you want me to do?” Qui-Gon demanded angrily, determinedly not looking at the wisdom in his master’s eyes. “You saw what happened the last time I trained a Padawan learner.” “Entirely your fault, it was not.” Unshaken, Yoda glanced up at him from where he had hopped onto a meditation seat opposite the other. He placed the tips of his fingers together and waited serenely for the response. Qui-Gon shook his head, still looking away. “But it was my fault, Master. You know that. I became too close to him; my affection for him blinded me to his mistakes. It could have been prevented had I not been so… attached.” “Change it, you believe you could have?” Yoda questioned, a hint of an admonishment in his tone. “Coming, it was, Qui-Gon, though its meaning we at first did not realize. Already proud, the boy was, and longing for the glory of leadership. Only by leaving him on Telos, I believe, could you have altered events significantly enough. But too late, it had become, for such a course.” “I should have left him there,” Qui-Gon murmured bitterly. “I knew he was too old, I should have listened to the Council’s misgivings.” Sighing heavily, he looked down and was surprised to find that his hands were clenched tightly around the soft rim of his seat. As though it gave him something else to think about, he slowly and gently relaxed each muscle in his fingers and watched with interest as his hands gradually loosened from the cushioned edge. Then he looked up at Yoda. “I will not risk that betrayal happening again. I will not take another apprentice.” Yoda sighed, but he seemed to have been expecting a final statement along those lines. “Combat your right to this, I do not.” There followed another pause, then the diminutive Master looked up and spoke again. “Only your motive.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As he walked away from that meeting, Qui-Gon finally realized what aggravated him most about Master Yoda. True, he was the quintessence of a Jedi — modest, strong, nearly unparalleled in combat, wise in the ways of the Order and the galaxy, and putting the good of others always before himself. Only a corrupt senator hoping to gain a few votes in some petition or another would try to say otherwise. The problem was, Yoda was always right. He never said so, of course. In keeping with his modest nature, he would on no account look you in the face, smirk a little, and say, “Tell you, I did.” He had much more subtle means of ensuring you knew he was right and you were wrong. Including making you feel guilty, Qui-Gon thought rather resentfully as he strode down the gleaming white hall. But (which most probably had been the objective) he recognized, as he had for many years now, that Yoda was correct. There was only the tiny snag of him, Qui-Gon, being too proud and stubborn to admit it. And Yoda questioned his motive? His motive should have been only too obvious from the start — he did not want to have to face a betrayal like that again, especially not one brought on by his own error in judgment. But Yoda knew that, and yet still debated why Qui-Gon was choosing this. Did he possibly see something that Qui-Gon did not… or could not? Perhaps the other master was right. He was doing this, not just because of the reason given to Yoda, but because he was afraid. Afraid of what might happen if he lost control again; afraid of becoming too close to a Padawan he might not be able to train suitably. Very few people realized how close he had come to crossing the dangerous threshold between the Light and Dark when he had witnessed Xanatos’ betrayal. It was not an experience he cared to duplicate. In short, he was afraid of becoming like Xanatos. -----signature----- "So this is how liberty dies: to thunderous applause." ~Senator Padme Amidala
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Valairy_Scot Title: PT Rewrite Winner Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 5/18 3:52pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/18/08!
	Sighing heavily, he looked down and was surprised to find that his hands were clenched tightly around the soft rim of his seat. As though it gave him something else to think about, he slowly and gently relaxed each muscle in his fingers and watched with interest as his hands gradually loosened from the cushioned edge. Then he looked up at Yoda. “I will not risk that betrayal happening again. I will not take another apprentice.” Yoda sighed, but he seemed to have been expecting a final statement along those lines. “Combat your right to this, I do not.” There followed another pause, then the diminutive Master looked up and spoke again. “Only your motive.” Very well done - Qui's reasoning makes so much sense - to him, if not the reader and Yoda is spot-on perfect. -----signature----- http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/25405090/p3/?52 Prolific Author thread: list & links there. Muse fueled by coffee. Often AWOL despite frequent sipping. Writes on inspiration, not a schedule. Proud master of several padawans
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 5/18 4:30pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/18/08!
	I love how you are writing Qui-Gon, giving into the pain and letting it drive him away from everything. Yoda will push and push, not just for Obi-Wan's sake but for Qui-Gon's too. “My decision, Master Yoda,” Qui-Gon replied evenly, “is exactly that.” Did Yoda always have to rebuke him for choosing not to take another apprentice? He, of all the Jedi, should have understood why Qui-Gon had taken that path. Then his mask of civility shattered. “What do you want me to do?” Qui-Gon demanded angrily, determinedly not looking at the wisdom in his master’s eyes. “You saw what happened the last time I trained a Padawan learner.” “Entirely your fault, it was not.” Unshaken, Yoda glanced up at him from where he had hopped onto a meditation seat opposite the other. He placed the tips of his fingers together and waited serenely for the response. Qui-Gon shook his head, still looking away. “But it was my fault, Master. You know that. I became too close to him; my affection for him blinded me to his mistakes. It could have been prevented had I not been so… attached.” That doesn't sound good that he would want to be less attached. Poor guy. Great job. Really well done. Can you PM me with updates? -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 8/16/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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Gkilkenny Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 5/18 9:24pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/18/08!
	Of course Yoda is always right and even if he is wrong he does not dwell on it like Qui-Gon is doing life is too short to live in the past get on with the now. Another excellent post. -----signature----- Padawan to p_stotts Peace over anger - honour over hate - Strength over fear. Links to Stories in my Bio. Obi-Wan forever.
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monkeykelci Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 5/18 10:11pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/18/08!
	Ah, Yoda.. Always the calm face in the storm, he is.. You protray Qui-Gon very well, his feelings are very well written out in this. Very good update, Ranil. I enjoyed it! Can't wait for the next one! -----signature----- Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records. Padawan Learner to Oddball_62!! =]
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Ranil-Starwing Registered: Sep '07	Date Posted: 5/21 12:50pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/18/08!
	Chapter 3: Hot and Cold Qui-Gon had a lot to think about over the following few days, especially once the tournament of Padawans had concluded. Perhaps Yoda had been right, though Qui-Gon never would have admitted it to the Grand Master. The testing of skills had created a different impression this time, no longer a monotone of lightsaber combat between younglings desperate to prove their worth. In fact, there was a moment when he had almost felt himself caught up in watching one of the duels, subconsciously willing the two opponents to move this way, strike from that angle, duck over there… He was annoyed at himself for allowing those emotions to control him. He had worked so hard for so many years making sure he never felt the compulsion to train another apprentice, yet now, deep inside, he sensed long-dormant longing awakening within him. There were brief times when he wished he were instructing a Padawan learner again. And then there was that one youngling, the rather short one with gingery hair who had fought near the end of the competition. Qui-Gon had caught the Padawan staring at him during the beginning of the match and again after his duel had been won. Something had seemed different about him. There had been a fierce determination about the way he moved, the manner with which he twirled and slashed his blue lightsaber. But Qui-Gon had also seen what the other masters had no doubt noticed — the aggression, the unnecessary force used during the final moments of the match that may have won him victory, but had lost him approval. Anger had to be checked, balanced, but this Padawan had unleashed it in a furious onslaught of strokes and Force-power quite out of control. Yet still he could not get the image of the boy out of his mind. The way that youngling had looked up at him, you would have thought he was begging to be accepted as a Padawan learner. And there was absolutely no chance of that. None at all. After all, he only went to these things in a rather transparent effort to humor Yoda. They both knew he wasn’t serious about it. It came as quite a start, therefore, when Qui-Gon inadvertently walked in on what was evidently an escalating fight between two hot-headed, glaring boys in the middle of an otherwise deserted training room. They were standing several yards apart, each with one fist clenched at his side and the other maintaining a vice-like grip on his lightsaber. Both younglings, about twelve years of age, were recognizable to the startled Jedi Master watching them. One was the Padawan Qui-Gon had noticed earlier and who he had deemed much too belligerent during the tournament. The evidence in front of his eyes now only heightened that view, for the boy was looking positively murderous. The other, with strange white hair tied back in a longer ponytail than normal, had been the opponent during the duel, and though less aggressive then, Qui-Gon found himself liking this one with even further reduction. The white-haired youngling’s stare had slipped into a casual, taunting smirk. Instead of tensed, his lean body was relaxed and sure. With a provoking air, he unhooked the lightsaber from his belt and twirled it absently in one hand, looking for all the galaxy as though the other boy were not worth his trouble. “Failed again, haven’t you, Obi-Wan?” he remarked in a deliberately infuriating tone as the lightsaber hilt spun around in his hand. He stopped it with expert ease and sniggered. “Just not good enough for the Masters…tch….” The other gritted his teeth in frustration. “I beat you, Bruck! You know it!” Qui-Gon, who had been on the verge of entering the room, suddenly thought better of it and retreated back to the shadows of the entryway. He had a sudden curiosity to witness how this dispute would play out. “Oh, I’ll admit you managed to catch me a little off guard. But I don’t mind, really. You see, even though you beat me, you didn’t get what you wanted, did you?” The lightsaber flew higher in the air, accompanying Bruck’s malicious words as it spun a few rotations before landing again in the Padawan’s outstretched hand. “What are you talking about?” Obi-Wan demanded angrily, but Qui-Gon sensed a small hesitancy in the way he said it. He knew what the other meant but was obviously unwilling to admit anything. Bruck laughed softly. “Don’t be so modest. I realized from the start that all you wanted was Master Jinn’s approval. You were hoping that if you proved yourself during the tournament he might take you as his apprentice.” “And how do you know he won’t?” “Didn’t you see his face? Stone cold, as usual. I don’t think he was very impressed with your performance. Maybe you tried too hard, if you know what I mean.” Standing silently in the shadows, Qui-Gon frowned as he looked on. He wasn’t sure if it was a relief or a mild shock to discover that he had not misinterpreted young Obi-Wan’s intentions during the competition when the youngling had glanced up at him. The last thing he needed was a small something trailing him. An eerie, mocking smile was playing across Bruck’s face, the lightsaber still spinning in his hand as he waited for Obi-Wan’s reply. Then he abruptly stopped the weapon’s progress and, almost in the same sharp movement, ignited it, causing a green blade of searing energy to spring forth from one end of the cylinder. The air around it thrummed loudly as the lightsaber was spun backwards, then forwards, in tight, controlled circles. “So, Oafy-Wan,” Bruck invited in a low hiss of a whisper, a spiteful gleam darting across the ice-blue eyes fixed on his fellow initiate. “Perhaps you’d like to try again. See if you can’t control that nasty temper of yours? Or maybe,” he continued, a flash of emerald briefly illuminating the contours of his young face, “you’re just too clumsy to begin with….” “I am not!” Obi-Wan shouted furiously. His voice sounded as though it were on the verge of breaking at any moment. With an angry jerk of his hand, he pulled his own saber from the left side of his belt, positioning the flickering azure blade in front of him. Now, Qui-Gon realized, this had gone too far. When a simple disagreement suddenly elevated into what was shortly to be a pitched lightsaber duel. Not only that, but the Jedi Master quickly became aware that both weapons had been set to full power in the heat of their resentment. One strike in the right place… and it would become a fatal blow. It was impossible to tell which of the two younglings actually moved to strike first. Moving with unnatural speed, Qui-Gon was between them before their blades could make contact and, instead, the lightsabers clashed forcefully onto the Master’s own weapon that he had activated seconds before. Sparks flew from the dual collision, and then a heavy, awkward silence descended upon the room. The first sound after that was the metallic clatter of Obi-Wan’s saber hilt as it fell to the floor from his nerveless grip. He seemed unable to take his eyes off Qui-Gon, an expression of utter terror flooding across his face, which had initially turned bright red, then faded to a sickly green, and finally blanched to a near white as he became aware of the identity of the Jedi standing between him and his rival. Obi-Wan made a small, indistinct noise in his throat but seemed unable to speak a coherent word. The sight would have been comical had it been present in an alternate situation, but not even Bruck was smiling now. “What, might I ask,” Qui-Gon said in a dangerously calm tone, “is going on here?” Obi-Wan immediately averted his eyes, unable to bear that cool gaze. “Well?” The Jedi Master turned his glance to Bruck expectantly. “It wasn’t my fault, Master!” the boy protested innocently. “I was just talking with Obi-Wan — about the contest — and he took out his lightsaber and —” Qui-Gon eyed him skeptically. “Yes?” Bruck’s bravado was running out fast. “He just attacked me for no reason…” he mumbled, looking down at the floor and shifting his weight uncomfortably. “Lying will not get you anywhere, young Padawan,” Qui-Gon replied pointedly. “You think I don’t know what was going on?” “Yes… no, Master….” The mutters trailed off uncertainly. “And you,” Qui-Gon went on, facing the slightly-trembling Obi-Wan. “Do you have anything to say?” Obi-Wan shook his head numbly. He looked close to tears. “N-no, Master Jinn….” “Very well. Give me your lightsabers, both of you.” Bruck reluctantly handed over his weapon, Obi-Wan retrieving his from where it had fallen to the ground and slowly placing it in the Master’s palm. “Now each of you, you are to go to your assigned quarters and stay there until you are told otherwise. Understood?” They nodded and hastily retreated from the chamber. As Qui-Gon watched them disappear down the hall, his mind was distracted by a recollection of Bruck’s words. Stone cold, as usual. He sighed, suddenly feeling rather alone. Was that what all the younglings thought off him? A cold, distant Jedi Master who very rarely, if ever, gave his approval? It was a sobering thought to ponder that perhaps he had gained some of his master’s less-admirable traits, after all. Dooku had never been the warm, fatherly figure that a mentor should try to be. And it looked like he was turning into something similar. -----signature----- "So this is how liberty dies: to thunderous applause." ~Senator Padme Amidala
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dimyavie Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 5/21 3:44pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/21/08!
	Wonderful update! I just hope in the future that Qui-Gon is able to overcome his fears and accept Obi-Wan. Thanks for the update!
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monkeykelci Registered: Apr '08	Date Posted: 5/21 5:59pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/21/08!
	That was wonderful! I loved how Qui acted.. I also loved the confrontation between Obi and Bruck. Very, very well done. Great update, Ranil! -----signature----- Hockey players wear numbers because you can’t always identify the body with dental records. Padawan Learner to Oddball_62!! =]
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 5/21 7:22pm Subject: RE: A Time to Forgive - (Qui, Obi) - Updated 5/21/08!
	Great characterization of Qui-Gon. I loved that he was able to overhear what the two boys were doing and at least Obi didn't try to lie. Poor kid to be so embarrassed in front of Qui-Gon. Well, he should know better than to give in to Bruck's torments but it's so hard at that age. After all, he only went to these things in a rather transparent effort to humor Yoda. They both knew he wasn’t serious about it. Loved that. Jinn just loves to lie to himself. Very well done. Loved it. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 8/16/08 Freeze frame - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b10476/27820434 Master to jedidas3 Impeach Bush!
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