Author Topic: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) note from the author 4/9
maychorian  1162 posts
Registered: Jan '05
19067_Ikrit
Date Posted: 6/22/05 10:09am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/19 - Date Edited: 6/22/05 2:00pm (1 edits total) Edited By: maychorian
LuvEwan I love the atmosphere of the Jinn home, how wife and husband are so alike, so generous.

Ah, thank you. grin It made sense to me that Qui-Gon would only fall in love with a woman whose heart was as big his.

Princess_Arulmozhi who has been poking him??? I would like to tear them apart. Grr...

Wow. I did not expect to get such vehement reactions to this. It's just a few bruises. He hasn't even been tortured or anything. grin

Seven

Thank you! Yes, more soon.

Bastet If Obi really can't be a Jedi now, I think the Jinns should adopt him.

Funny, I've been getting that comment a LOT . . .

Gkilkenny Look after him Qui-Gon!!

happy You can be sure he'll do his best!

Jedi_Tigris Poor Obi-Wan, being confused because someone cares for him? What has he been through all these years?

Pretty much just neglect, in this particular AU. There will be explanations eventually.

dianethx I adore those two. So well matched, loving and warm.

love Thanks! I'm glad people seem to like Julune.

Qui-Gina-Jinn Love how the Jinns care about him - very good indeed. Seems like little Obi needs it badly.

He does indeed. It's all been a little much for the poor kid. Thanks for reading!

shanobi I have to wonder what the morning will bring and how easy it will be for Qui to remain a constant in Obi's life.

A very good question. A few ideas will be coming in a post or two.

And you can rest assured that Qui-Gon will do everything in his power to make it easier for Obi-Wan! happy

PadawanKitara WIll begging for more work? It worked last time

not_talking Begging? You think begging will sway me from my decided post schedule?

grin Well, maybe.

PadawanEstel Follow your instincts, Qui-Gon! Give him a hug!

LOL! I'm afraid that would just confuse the poor kid more. Be patient. It's coming.

Xanatos has gone back to the temple already. Perhaps I should mention that at some point.

Master_Noi Obi-Wan stays with the Jinns, is loved and cared for, becomes big brother to Baby Jinn, and lives happily ever after.

Believe it or not, that is very tempting! I keep having bunnies for Obi-Wan and the baby interacting . . . But no. Must remain firm. The plot must be carried out. Your senses are well in tune!

LuvEwan Angst? Why would you ever think that, Noi? I mean, just because it's a story by may----oh.

laugh You're teasing me! Yes, yes, you know me very well. As I've said somewhere else, nothing good ever happens to these two without a little suffering.

KSkywalker Did anyone notice this reaction? Why wouldn't Master Shilbey be happy that one of his wards has been found and is being cared for? Sounds VERY suspicious! I don't think I'm going to like this fellow too much!

thinking Hmm. Interesting take on the good supervisor. I just might surprise you.

Or maybe not. grin

Knight-Nix

Thanks for reading! I'm enjoying your story, too.

Master! Shame on him...but if I was in his situation I'd think the same. He believes in nothing right now cuz he believes nobody believes in him.

::tackle-hug:: Good to see you! Though it's only been, what, a day? Anyway, you're right on in your analysis. Obi feels that he's been ignored and passed over pretty much forever, which is not a great confidence-builder.

darshaassant I HATE XANATOS (in this one)

LOL! Thank you for your good thoughts on behalf of my Obi. Xanatos will see the light. Maybe. Eventually. If all goes well. grin


Thanks, everybody! It's fun to write for you.

Next post ETA: Saturday

 

-----signature-----
Kynstar's former Padawan
The Unchosen: http://boards.theforce.net/Before_the_Saga/b10475/20049795/p1/ updated 2/16
When the darkness falls early, and the light hits the ground, there's a moment to be captured . . .
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
maychorian  1162 posts
Registered: Jan '05
19067_Ikrit
Date Posted: 6/22/05 10:11am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/19
Chapter 6: Questions

It was not an easy night. The medicine was unsuccessful at keeping Obi-Wan in a drugged sleep after an hour or so, and the fever worsened despite the antipyretic, much to Julune’s displeasure. She wasn’t much surprised, though.

“He’s weak,” she explained to a worried Qui-Gon, halfway through yet another fever-dream. The boy usually calmed somewhat when someone touched him, so she sat beside the couch, again holding his hand and caressing his forearm in smooth, measured strokes. “He obviously hasn’t been taking care of himself, whether because of depression or malaise or plain indifference. The human body can only bear lack of food and sleep for so long. No doubt the exposure exacerbated the problem, but I’m willing to bet that this has been coming for quite some time.”

Obi-Wan tossed his head, moaning softly, and muttered something that sounded too much like: “Dead, all dead, should be me.”

Qui-Gon frowned. “Will he have enough strength to recover?”

“He’ll have to,” Julune said grimly. She looked up and offered him a tired smile. “Of course he will. We’ll do all we can to help. By morning we’ll know better what else we should do.”

They took turns sitting with the boy, soothing the almost-incessant hallucinations, forcing medicine and fluids down his protesting throat whenever they could. At times Obi-Wan was aware of their ministrations, and was either achingly grateful or unbearably confused that anyone would care for him. Both reactions made Qui-Gon’s chest hurt. No child should think so little of himself.

He listened attentively to the boy’s ramblings, hoping to learn some clue as to what had happened to him between the Enrichment Zone and Bandor. But the words were broken and nonsensical most of the time, and those statements that did emerge relatively intact were pleas, self-recriminations, and declarations against the dark. Obi-Wan saw only pain and despair in these specters, and Qui-Gon could not tell if they were past memory, future fear, or merely the present concoctions of an overwrought mind.

The worst bout came some time in the early morning hours, during Qui-Gon’s watch, as luck or the Force would have it. Obi-Wan had been sleeping for a time, his breath still coming much too quickly for true slumber, sweat-slicked head rocking occasionally as if to dodge a blow or shake free of unwanted hands. Qui-Gon had been sitting in the broken-down recliner dragged over next to the couch, reading his datapad, or at least pretending to. There was no one to convince, though, Julune having retired for a couple hours of sleep.

Abruptly, Obi-Wan began to struggle, throwing off the covers and writhing half-off the couch, a hoarse cry tearing from him. Qui-Gon dropped the datapad and lunged forward to catch his upper body before it struck the floor. The bare shoulders in his hands jerked at the contact, fever-bright eyes flaring open in shock and terror to stare up at him in a cruel semblance of lucidity.

“Make it stop!” Obi-Wan’s tone was not begging, but ordering Qui-Gon to listen and obey. “Make it stop! You are the key!” A small hand shot out to grip the front of Qui-Gon’s tunic with more strength than any sick youngster ought to be able to muster. “You can make it right!”
.
Qui-Gon passed his arm around the too-warm body and tugged it back onto the couch. He could not straighten back up, though, the urgent hand wrapped in his tunic preventing him. He bent over the boy, trying to see clarity past the pain in his eyes. “The key to what?” he asked gently. “What do I need to make right?”

A spasm of frustration crossed the flushed features. The hand in Qui-Gon’s tunic was shaking, the unexpected strength all but burnt away. “It’s all wrong,” he insisted. “I told you before. It’s all . . . all wrong. All of it.”

“All of what?”

“Everything!”

Obi-Wan’s entire body was shaking now. But the strength of his conviction had not waned. If only Qui-Gon understood what he was convicted about . . .

“What do you mean by everything? The path of the universe? The motion of the stars? The course of sentient events?” Qui-Gon had not intended to be facetious, but he belated realized that the words sounded sarcastic. Hopefully Obi-Wan was too mired in fever to notice.

Apparently so.

“Yes!” he said. “All of that!” The boy hesitated, a wrinkle of hesitation appearing on his forehead. “Except that bit about the stars. Not much you can do to change that.”

Qui-Gon frowned. That last had sounded very lucid indeed. Perhaps he should try a different tack with this.

“What is it that I need to do?” he asked. “How can one man change the fate of the universe?”

Obi-Wan’s face abruptly crumpled, and he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut, his hand falling away from Qui-Gon’s tunic. “I don’t know. I don’t know! Why can’t I see the answers when I see the questions so clearly?”

Qui-Gon caught the trembling hand as it fell away, holding it loosely in his own. Absently, he began to rub his thumb in slow, careful circles over the sweaty palm, his eyes still fixed on the boy’s face. “What questions do you speak of?”

Obi-Wan’s breath began to calm with excruciating slowness, seeming to ease in rhythm with Qui-Gon’s repetitive strokes. “Of . . . of . . . darkness. Death. Chaos. War. Lots of war. And it all looks the same.” Sluggishly the blue-gray eyes revealed themselves again, staring at Qui-Gon with weary resignation. “I’ve been dreaming of it for weeks now. Every time I sleep my eyes are filled with it, with . . .”

He sighed, eyes sliding shut again. His voice took on a dreamy tone, soothed by Qui-Gon’s touch, but that only made the horror of his words stand out the more starkly. “How could I eat with the sight of blood and terror in my eyes? Innocents dying. Children. People I knew and loved—Bant, Reeft, Master Yoda. Light being swallowed by blackness, crumbling like . . . like a wooden sculpture rotting as I watched, a snow creature melting in the sun. Everything falling, falling. How could I sleep? I tried to change it. I knew no one would believe me, so I never told anyone about my dreams. But I fought . . . I fought hard to be a Jedi. Perhaps that was what ruined my last chance, in the end . . . I fought too hard.”

One eye cracked open to study Qui-Gon with veiled intensity, buried by exhaustion but blindingly, piercingly bright. “It’s all wrong. Please, make it right. Make it stop. I can’t bear it any longer. It’s all, all wrong, and I can do nothing to change it.”

“Oh, you poor child.” Qui-Gon felt all but incapable of words, even of thoughts. What could he possibly say that could balm these wounds? Such horrible nightmares were bad enough, but that the boy believed them, and thought himself to be the cause . . . “My poor boy. No wonder you’ve been so weary and sad.”

Carefully, he reached his free hand to push the sweaty reddish locks back from the boy’s forehead, and let his hand linger there when the murky eyes half-shut, tense expression softening slightly toward contentment. But the boy seemed to struggle against the comfort, his shoulders shifting uneasily, eyelids fluttering upward once again, then closing slowly as if inexorably dragged by the weight of soul-deep fatigue. “It . . . it isn’t supposed to be like this,” he mumbled. “You’re supposed to be . . . supposed to be . . .”

“What, Obi-Wan?”

“My . . .” The boy suddenly fought into an upright position, throwing off Qui-Gon’s hands. His body was rigid in the grip of yet another vision, eyes wide and staring into the distance, bruised chest heaving for air and bursting out in a yell. “No! My fault! Don’t leave me alone! Please, Master!”

He fell back, the last of that unexpected strength finally drained away. “No, no, no, no, no . . .” It was a hushed murmur, desperate and futile. Qui-Gon caught him as he fell, wrapping his arms around the shuddering body from behind, finding himself sitting on the couch with no memory of deciding to move.

Obi-Wan leaned into him, limbs quivering, head rolling limply against his broad shoulder. Still the boy continued his quiet litany of negation, steady and relentless, an unthinking response to a great shock.

Qui-Gon wrapped his palm around the burning forehead. “What did you see?”

The chorus of “no, no, no” trailed off into silence. After a moment, Obi-Wan responded, his voice utterly calm. “A face, red and black. A red wall. A red ‘saber blade. A cutting slash. Death. I can’t get there in time. I can’t stop it. I can’t stop any of it. I am a leaf in a river. You are a rock. I can’t change the current. You can, maybe, maybe. But I don’t know how. I can’t stop it. The river passes over the edge, and everything is falling, falling, falling.”

Qui-Gon shivered. The length of the boy’s body pressed against his emanated heat like a bank of red-glowing coals. Part of him wanted to push away, escape that burning, the calm terrible words. But the larger part of him pulled the weakened boy closer, longing to chase away the shadows by sheer will and the strength of his presence.

“Shhh,” he whispered, reaching forward to capture the smaller hands in his, rubbing his thumbs over tense palms in the calm, slow circles that had brought a measure of peace before. “Hush now, Obi-Wan. Rest. Listen to my voice. There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no death, there is the Force.”

He repeated the recitation several times, and eventually felt and heard Obi-Wan murmuring along with the cadence, his voice sluggish and hesitant, descending toward sleep again. But he was not saying quite the words Qui-Gon did. The boy was repeating, “There is no death, there is the Force. There is no death, there is the force.” Over and over he said it, trying to convince himself.

Gradually Obi-Wan’s voice faded and died away, and soon after that Qui-Gon stopped reciting the litany, as well. He continued his calming touch on the clammy hands, feeling the boy’s slow slide into true, restful sleep, the stillness of the depleted body and mind. The youngster didn’t feel quite as hot against him. Perhaps the fever had finally broken.

“That’s my boy,” Qui-Gon murmured, his breath passing over the sweat-spiked hair. “Be at peace. Rest and heal. You are safe here, always and ever. Everything is wrong, you say, the path has been changed badly, but it needn’t remain so. We will find a way to make it right. We will make a new path. All things are possible with the Force.”

He felt the boy’s nod, slow but certain. A smile tugged at his lips, even as his heart continued to ache. The child trusted him. For no obvious reason, completely and absolutely, Obi-Wan Kenobi trusted Qui-Gon Jinn, a man he had never spoken to before half a day ago.

“Sleep, little one. I will guard your dreams.”

Evidently Obi-Wan believed that statement, too, for soon Qui-Gon heard the even breathing, felt the limp repose of the slight frame in his arms. Finally, the boy had found a deep, peaceful sleep, free of dreams—fever and otherwise. It was a welcome relief.

Qui-Gon felt his own eyelids drooping, his rangy frame worn by hours of watching, compassionate heart and practical mind similarly exhausted. But somehow, he could not join his temporary ward in the blissful darkness of sleep.

None of the questions had been answered, and more had been raised. Qui-Gon could feel the boy’s immense strength in the Force, and he also felt the difference from his own. Obi-Wan was powerfully connected to the Unifying Force. And that aspect of the all-encompassing energy was known for prophecy.

Were they dreams, or visions, that haunted this child so terribly? Qui-Gon hoped for the former and feared the latter. For if it were a true future being revealed in these ghosts of the mind, Qui-Gon was afraid that he had made a promise he would not be able to keep. And it would break his heart to fail in any promise made to this boy.

The most important question still lingered in his mind, taunting him with its truth, its blunt directness.

How could one man change the fate of the universe?

 

-----signature-----
Kynstar's former Padawan
The Unchosen: http://boards.theforce.net/Before_the_Saga/b10475/20049795/p1/ updated 2/16
When the darkness falls early, and the light hits the ground, there's a moment to be captured . . .
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Kynstar  9191 posts
Registered: Mar '04
14562_Count Dooku
Date Posted: 6/22/05 10:23am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
Oh those fevered visions were harsh on poor Obi sad And he's been having those dreams for while now??? Oh my...

And Qui sad Feeling so helpless as to what to do but to try and comfort the youth.

Great work Padawan! Very explicit and vivid! Loved it! grin Hefty on the Obi angst there wink

 

-----signature-----
Paddy sis to t_s & SarkaVrae/Master to hyperspace_police
Member of Rebel Legion and Jedi Assembly (Kynstar Lans)
Only thru fear, hatred, and pain will the true power of the Force be revealed.
See stories/viggies in bio
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Princess_Arulmozhi  1207 posts
Registered: Nov '04
41734_Fan Fiction
Date Posted: 6/22/05 10:35am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
Loved the Obi-angst. So very intense...and I'm glad Qui was there to help him through it. And those visions... shock

So this is why he worked so hard to be trained (loved the way you tied it all up too.) happy

Great work!

 

-----signature-----
Perceptions (Xanatos/Obi/Qui/Anakin) AU:http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25276178/p1/?7 - *vignette*
Stones (Li'l Obi/Qui) - http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/23371821/p1/
Best Author, WFFA (BtS) 05/06
Lore-Master to 7
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Obi_Kenobi_Devotee  106 posts
Registered: Jul '04
13735_Qui-Gon's Death
Date Posted: 6/22/05 10:37am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22 - Date Edited: 6/22/05 12:10pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Obi_Kenobi_Devotee
Another great post. My favorite thus far. I like the emotion in this one...Awesome job! grin I'm hooked.

 

-----signature-----
"Blast!"
"Oh, not good."
"Mmm. Lost a planet, Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing. How embarrassing!"
"Good job."
"You want to go home and rethink your life."
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
shanobi  1399 posts
Registered: Dec '01
44084_Ewan McGregor
Date Posted: 6/22/05 10:42am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
Absolutely riveting post, Laura!

So Obi is having visions of the life that should have been. Qui-Gon's interaction with this boy he barely knows, is so sweet - exactly how I like my Qui-Gon happy

I am sensing a very long story indeed here. Lovely! I'm very much looking forward to it!

And I must say - awesome closing line happy

--shan

 

-----signature-----
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Bastet  1610 posts
Registered: Dec '99
6008_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 6/22/05 1:24pm Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22 - Date Edited: 6/22/05 1:29pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Bastet
Oh, poor Obi-Wan, that was very angsty indeed. Why is he being plagued by those horrible visions?! None of that's gonna happen now, though, right? But I guess if it's supposed to, because of that whole balance thing...blah! Must have more soon, need answers! Qui is awesome in this, I love how he keeps doing things for Obi without even thinking about it. Very nice story!

 

-----signature-----
"Oh yeah. Ooh, aah. That's how it always starts. But then later there's running, then...screaming." --Dr. Ian Malcolm
"Okay fine. Go ahead and scream. Then when that tricycloplots attacks you, don't come crying to me." --Paul Kirby
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
judsta36 
Registered: Jun '05
7438_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 6/22/05 4:51pm Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22 - Date Edited: 6/22/05 4:54pm (1 edits total) Edited By: judsta36
Wow, this fic is fantastic. Hope Obi gets lucid soon! raised_brow

 

-----signature-----
I luv Obi-Wan's lightsabre twirls
Occupation: Jedi Religion: The Force
Keep Truckin'!
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
dianethx  14887 posts
Registered: Mar '02
Date Posted: 6/22/05 5:16pm Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
Loved, loved, loved the fever dreams. It is all wrong, so very wrong. Because Qui-Gon isn't there to find Anakin, isn't there to train Obi-Wan who will train Anakin. Who will defeat the Sith in the end. Now there is no end, only Palpatine hiding in the dark and invincible.

Marvelously done. I flew through that post, wanting to read it so fast like I was in a speeder. And then going back to savor the way you wrote it. Disjointed dreams, so realistic and poor Qui-Gon unable to figure out what he is saying. Hope he can talk to someone about the dreams, someone that might understand them.

Great job.

 

-----signature-----
Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/09
jedidas3's Master
Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Master_Noi  1851 posts
Registered: Sep '04
14361_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 6/22/05 6:22pm Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
What a wonderful post. I love how disjointed the dreams were and Qui-Gon stuggling to make sense. Poor Obi-Wan - no wonder he's not eating or sleeping. sad

 

-----signature-----
For Such a Time as This ( 01/17/09)
A Shrouded Path (03/21/09)
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Seven  754 posts
Registered: Jul '00
5972_No Icon
Date Posted: 6/23/05 12:50am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
No kidding, and I will now add the the chorus,

Poor Obi!

I feel so badly for him, So Qui-Gon batter make it all good again.

More soon please?

Seven

 

-----signature-----
Mythology: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=23852079&brd=10475
Not So Cool: http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=22005893
The devoted little padawan of Master ithesock/Princess_Arulmozhi love
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
jodiwent  3613 posts
Registered: Feb '00
40713_Obi-Wan
Date Posted: 6/23/05 3:27am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
All I can say about the last two posts is "OH WOW, OH WOW."

Now I am jumping up and down in anticipation of the next part.

 

-----signature-----
Links to FICS in Bio on botom of profile
http://boards.theforce.net/ASP/user.asp?usr=238155
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
darshaassant  396 posts
Registered: Mar '05
40083_Imperial Shuttle
Date Posted: 6/23/05 10:30pm Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
Loved the fever, loved the dreams... give obi more of that, will you? :P MORE!!!!!

 

-----signature-----
An infrequent poster
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
-The-Negotiator- 
Registered: Jun '05
39876_Obi-Wan
Date Posted: 6/23/05 10:55pm Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22
The chorus of “no, no, no” trailed off into silence. After a moment, Obi-Wan responded, his voice utterly calm. “A face, red and black. A red wall. A red ‘saber blade. A cutting slash. Death. I can’t get there in time. I can’t stop it. I can’t stop any of it. I am a leaf in a river. You are a rock. I can’t change the current. You can, maybe, maybe. But I don’t know how. I can’t stop it. The river passes over the edge, and everything is falling, falling, falling.”


What an incredible passage. The leaf and the rock bit was especially affecting. This is such an emotional and well done story. happy

 

-----signature-----
"This is Obi-Wan Kenobi:
A phenomenal pilot who doesn't like to fly. A devastating warrior who'd rather not fight. A negotiator without peer who frankly prefers to sit alone in a quiet cave and meditate."- Matthew Stover
Devious little sock. devil
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Gkilkenny  3700 posts
Registered: Mar '04
7963_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 6/24/05 2:28am Subject: RE: The Unchosen (Qui/Obi AU) updated 6/22

Such torment for our Obi!
I wonder why the force likes giving Obi so much angst
without letting him have a moments peace devil cry

 

-----signature-----
Proud Padawan to p_stotts
Peace over anger - honour over hate - Strength over fear.
Links to Stories in my Bio. Obi-Wan forever.
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History