Jedi Council Forums - A Diplomat's Job is Never Done

Locked Topic | Read Only Topic | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

Pages: 1 | 2 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 2/2/06 4:56pm Subject: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette - Date Edited: 2/3/06 6:49am (1 edits total) Edited By: VaderLVR64
	Title: A Diplomat’s Job is Never Done Author: VaderLVR64 Summary: I have no idea Characters: Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan Notes: Written for the Qui-Gon Picture Challenge A Diplomat’s Job is Never Done “Diplomacy is often far more complicated than it appears on the surface, Padawan,” Qui-Gon instructed softly. “It doesn’t look very complicated from here,” Obi-Wan replied with a smirk. The Master gave an impatient sigh as he sat down. “When we are assigned to conduct a diplomatic mission, we must first gain the trust of those we seek to help.” “But we’re Jedi,” Obi-Wan said, as if this fact alone should solve the problem of trust. “Not everyone trusts the Jedi,” Qui-Gon replied. “You should know that by now, Obi-Wan,” he added in a gently chiding tone. The boy accepted the rebuke with a nod of his head and flushed cheeks. Then he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest with all the infuriating arrogance of youth. “It’s still unworthy of a Jedi,” he said in an offended tone. So much for this being easy, Qui-Gon thought to himself. “Does this break the Code in any way?” the Master asked the Padawan. A frown marred the young man’s pale features as he sought some evidence that the deed would, in fact, violate the Code that dictated their lives. His Padawan was a stickler for the rules, Qui-Gon mused with an internal smile. The Master could practically see the data being examined and set aside at a lightning pace. Finally, he could see Obi-Wan was at a loss. “No…” the young man answered uncertainly. “It doesn’t violate them specifically, but…” Obi-Wan shot him a look of confusion and then his lips mutinously tightened. “But I still say it’s not worthy of a Jedi.” Then he gave an emphatic nod of his head with that pronouncement. “Ah, so you are so wise that you feel you can correctly interpret a Code that has existed for thousands of years?” Qui-Gon queried with a quirk of his brow. “Interpret it better than your Master?” Another blush appeared on his cheeks, but Obi-Wan did not appear ready to back down from his opinion. “I didn’t say that, Master,” he replied carefully. “I just don’t think that this is something a Jedi should be doing.” He pointed at his Master with an authoritative finger that reminded Qui-Gon sharply of his days in the crèche. “Not even for a mission,” the boy added sternly. Qui-Gon repressed the exasperated sigh that rose to his lips. Ever since the disaster of Melida/Daan, his apprentice had become almost rigid in his adherence to the Jedi Code. While the Jedi within him approved of the boy’s devotion to the tenets of the Order, Qui-Gon the man knew that on that road waited heartbreak for the boy. Eventually, the Code would let him down and leave him floundering for answers that were not to be found in the precepts that were written to guide them. Guide them… That is where Obi-Wan’s lack of experience let him down, Qui-Gon mused. The rules were a guide for the Jedi, not a rulebook. There was much room, much need, for interpretation. He did not yet have enough knowledge of the complexities of the galaxy and the beings that inhabited it to know that a good Jedi must learn to interpret the Code beyond the rigid wording, to let his judgment become fluid with the situation. Only time and the understanding that came from working and living among the beings they served would soften those edges. Qui-Gon had often felt that the insulated life led by most younglings in the Jedi Temple provided little in the way of real preparation for what life was like beyond those hallowed walls. He feared that too many knights and masters shared that insular view and one day, the Jedi Order might find that they would pay the price for shutting themselves off from the galaxy. He put those troubling ruminations away for the time being, and tried to devise a way to help his Padawan learn the lesson he was trying to teach today. “Exactly what do you object to, Padawan?” he asked at last. Obi-Wan gave him a look that clearly said it should be glaringly obvious what troubled him about this task. “It’s not… It’s not dignified,” he answered at last, his smile triumphant at having identified what bothered him most about Qui-Gon’s plans. Nodding, Qui-Gon rubbed his chin. “I see…” he answered. “And it was particularly dignified when we waded through that muck on Kuros 9?” The young man frowned once more. “Well, it was necessary,” he insisted. “They had lost something of great value to them and they needed us to find it.” “Of course,” Qui-Gon answered. “Of course, you’re quite right. This isn’t at all like that, is it?” He clasped his hands together in front of him. “And when we posed as slave buyers and we had to ‘inspect’ the slaves in order to keep our cover? What about then? Did we not contribute to the humiliation of those beings?” Obi-Wan sat back heavily, his frown deepening. “Again, that was different, Master…” “How so?” “We were ultimately saving their lives,” Obi-Wan reminded him. “Yes, you’re correct once more,” Qui-Gon answered with a gleam in his eyes. “Did you know that before you even came to the Temple, I had to pose as a slave, not just a buyer? I was stripped of everything and paraded about an auction block and sold to the highest bidder.” Obi-Wan stared at him, his mouth agape. “But…I never heard…That’s terrible!” Qui-Gon shrugged. “It was part of a sting operation to trap a traitor in a king’s court,” he said with a dismissive shrug of his hand. Then he touched the bare chest beneath his robe. “But I discovered that day that I am much more than this insignificant bit of flesh and bone.” He lightly touched his Padawan’s cheek. “Luminous beings are we…” he whispered, repeating Master Yoda. “This is just a body, Padawan. A gift we should treat with respect and caring, but it is not who we are.” The young man locked eyes with his Master for a moment and then nodded. “I think I understand,” he answered at last. Then he gave Qui-Gon an uncertain smile. “But I’m still glad it’s you they’ve chosen and not me.” Qui-Gon laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair. “I think there may be a few young ladies out there who do not share your joy in that decision,” he remarked, causing Obi-Wan to flush deep red. “Come on, Padawan. They’re waiting for us. It will be nice to have a familiar face in the crowd.” Obi-Wan swallowed hard and followed behind his Master. The studio grew quiet when the big Jedi walked through the door and moved gracefully to his place in the center. Even Obi-Wan could feel the weight of more than a hundred eyes on his Master. Qui-Gon, however, seemed serenely unaware of his audience as he slipped the robe easily from his shoulders and assumed the pose Professor Yar had shown him. Choza Yar clapped her hands to gain the students’ attention and spoke. “Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn has kindly consented to model for us,” she said proudly. “As you know, he looks almost exactly like the lost statue of our god of the hunt, Medo.” The assembled students began to murmur among themselves. “Yes, you have sketched his likeness from reproductions, even sculpted it.” Then she turned warm eyes on her Jedi model. “But now… Now we will create a new masterpiece to give to back to our people.” Qui-Gon looked up at his Padawan and winked. -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
LilyHobbitJedi Registered: Aug '05	Date Posted: 2/2/06 5:19pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Oh wow, what a lovely mental image you've just given me. What a great little story, I just loved the conversation between Qui and Obi. -----signature----- Proud Master to eboneya & Alassë Eärfalas! Everybody Lies- House/SW Crossover! http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28032689/r28039379/ A Light In The Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b1047
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
MASTER_KAYM Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 2/2/06 5:50pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Great! I love Qui-Gon's point of view -----signature----- "Life does not treat you fairly or unfairly. It merely is. It is up to each of us to be fair, or unfair. " Qui-Gon Jinn, JA8 My Work In my Bio Nothing is lost where force dwells and the force is everywhere. Proud Master of Lady_Snow_Kaguya
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Kynstar Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 2/3/06 6:33am Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Ohh loved the build up there and to find out it was juz for Qui to pose for some artists! Well done!! Excellent job! Poor Obi.. the Code is for guiding I so agree with Qui there. Not something to follow blindly. -----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
Mind_Tricked Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 2/3/06 10:27am Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	I've read it lurking the Qui Challenge thread and loved it! I had lost of fun reading that piece again. -----signature----- Wszystko za ciebie zrobi - Obi-Wan Kenobi!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Bastet Registered: Dec '99	Date Posted: 2/3/06 10:51am Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	This was just as great the second time around! -----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
Kestrel_Kenobi Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 2/3/06 2:28pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Loved reading this again! Great story - -----signature----- I had a baby girl! July '08! Drabbles of an AU Snape - http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b10808/29704506/p1/?2
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Souderwan Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 2/3/06 6:29pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	LOL! Ok! I'm going to have to agree with Obi-Wan on this one! Great job, MamaVader! I really enjoyed the lesson, btw. You could have put just about anything at the end there and it would have been wonderful. The cheeky laugh just made it that much more fun. -----signature----- "When we hurt each other we should write it down in the sand, so the winds of forgiveness can make it go away for good. When we help each other we should chisel it in stone, lest we never forget the love of a friend." ~Godefroy
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
ardavenport Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 2/3/06 10:30pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Ah, you write Qui-Gon with such poise and grace in the most naked situation. He's got nothing to be embarrassed about showing, too. -----signature----- Links to all fics -- http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25405090&brd=10304&start=26223917 The Heart of the Jedi -- http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/26013327 ---- Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, JA and everything you wanted to know about lightsabers
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
KELIA Title: The Pretty in Pink Fan Fic Manager Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 2/4/06 4:26pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	seemed serenely unaware of his audience as he slipped the robe easily from his shoulders Where can I sign up for this class? I loved how Qui-Gon tried to get Obi-Wan to learn the necessity of bending the rules once in awhile. It was a beautifuly written conversation. Great job on this -----signature----- "Do or do not, there is no try." Master Yoda A Light In The Darkness: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28150602/p1/?8 NaNaWriMo Progress: 11,018
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
LilQui-Gon Registered: Jul '04	Date Posted: 2/4/06 7:17pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	... This is a girl's dream come true. -----signature----- Through Violence & Pain, Remember Someone Loves You. Class of 2006 Just give me Qui-Gon & I'll be happy.
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Arwen-Jade_Kenobi Registered: Feb '02	Date Posted: 2/5/06 9:18am Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	ROTFLOL!! Oh dear Force that was brilliant! giggles and snorts some more -----signature----- Retired Council Master of the Lightside It's all about the blues, baby "Love can ignite the stars." - ROTS novel I'm a Trekkie: Deal with it, or suffer the wrath of Khan This user is certifiably insane
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jedi_Tigris Registered: Mar '05	Date Posted: 2/5/06 12:21pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Oh, that was great! Love the build-up with Qui and Obi arguing over whether this is proper or not, and it ends up that Qui is modeling for a class...so unexpected! Poor Obi, not dignified indeed, lol. Wonderful job! -----signature----- "Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" - Obi-Wan Kenobi, ANH padawan/adoptee of Myri_Antilles Battling DRL...otherwise known as college and work... Please add me to your pm list when I review. Thanks!
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 2/15/06 3:14pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	LilyHobbitJedi I admit, I enjoyed picturing that scene myself! MASTER_KAYM The things he's willing to do! Kynstar Qui-Gon understood that quite well I think! Mind_Tricked Thanks for reading! Bastet Glad you liked it, both times! Kestrel_Kenobi Thank you! Souderwan That picture just screamed for a naughty theme! ardavenport Exactly! In fact, he wears entirely too many clothes most of the time! KELIA Leona closed the class! She's the ONLY student now. LilQui-Gon Amen! Arwen-Jade_Kenobi Naked Jedi are always inspiring! Jedi_Tigris Qui-Gon is always dignified, even when he's only wearing what he came into the galaxy with! -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Valairy_Scot Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 2/15/06 3:20pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Beautiful...it led right to where one never saw it going - what a delightful story that doesn't telegraph its ending. I love how Qui-Gon thought of the code, and how Obi-Wan didn't have enough life experience to look on as guidance rather than rigid rules. -----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. 2007-2008 the quality years
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
hyperspace_police Title: FanForce CR Arkansas US Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 2/17/06 8:49pm Subject: RE: A Diplomat's Job is Never Done - Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan vignette
	Nice. I really like your writing. Keep it up. -----signature----- Proud member of the "Cade Brigade" (Obi, please forgive me) Stories in bio We managed it with the power of "assless chaps"... Oh yes... that one is a direct quote from myself...
	Locked Topic \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

Pages: 1 | 2 - ~~Previous~~ | Next | Reload