Jedi Council Forums - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): *New post by HaiGan*

Yarael Poof and this forum are dead. But they both live on in our hearts.

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Classic Fan Fiction »

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

« 356 | 357 | 358 | 359 | 360 | 361 | 362 | 363 | 364 | 365 » - Previous | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): New post by HaiGan
Jemmiah Registered: Mar '00	Date Posted: 2/8/03 3:46pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	Sara's "re-appearance" of sorts was a lovely touch. I loved how she felt a lot more at peace now she was part of the force. Her farewell was touching! And poor Barin, I so want to reach into the story and give him a hug! Now what of poor Biwo? Whatever will become of him??? Great posts Kit and HaiGan! ******* WEEK THREE, DAY ONE, HOUR FIVE When Obi-Wan awakened next day it was only to find Qui-Gon had been up and about some hours before him. Indeed on making his way through from the fresher room, the padawan could clearly make out the slightly curved back of his master crouched over the holoterminal as if studying some recent transmission. However, as he approached Obi-Wan could see nothing save the empty space into which Qui-Gon was so diligently staring. "Are you alright, master?" Obi-Wan enquired quietly, rubbing at his neck with a damp towel. "Hmm?" Qui-Gon asked absently. "Oh, I am quite well Obi-Wan. My back is troubling me a little, I admit. Other than that you see before you a man who would be perfectly happy to count his many blessings were it not for…" "Meeting Jemmiah's aunt and uncle again." Finished the apprentice. "Yes, I understand. And I wanted to say…" Obi-Wan became uncharacteristically flustered, almost edgy, "that I am sorry for putting you in such an awkward position." Qui-Gon frowned, and turned his attention away from the holotransmitter, gently swinging the chair around so that he could face his apprentice. "You?" queried the master sharply. "What have you to feel sorry for?" "Well, because I know that Jemmiah's uncle will not be thinking very highly of me as regards…you know." Obi-Wan's face coloured ever so slightly with shame. "I don't want to be the cause of any further ructions between the two of you." "What ructions there are," Qui-Gon pushed himself slowly out of the seat, feeling his back twinge ominously as he did so, "are of our own making, not yours. "It is possible that Mr Mathers might not hold you in the friendliest of terms right now but I'm sure we can all live with that, don't you think?" "I don't particularly dislike him," Obi-Wan pulled an indifferent face, "because he thinks highly of Jemmiah. I mean, he maybe has a different idea to us about how things should happen but at heart I think he's basically a reasonable individual. I'm not sure what his opinion will be of me…not that I'm sure he ever thought much of me in the first place. I can't imagine my stock has risen a lot in his estimation." "That's a very considerate opinion you have given what you've just said." Qui-Gon mused thoughtfully; wondering if Mr Mathers regard for himself was likely to be any higher, given that he was Obi-Wan's master, and probably being slated for not teaching the apprentice the difference between right and wrong. All of which was ironic, given that Corellians in general tended to be that much more lax and liberal as regarded morals. Obi-Wan stopped to wring some excess water out of his braid. "I try," he shrugged, "for Jemmy's sake. Getting annoyed with him wouldn't achieve anything constructive anyway. But I know that my presence today might excite some unwanted comments. I just wanted to say that if you would prefer me not to come with you when you meet with Mr Mathers I will understand, master. Perhaps it might be better if I don't." "It's not like you to get jittery." Observed Qui-Gon, quite puzzled at Obi-Wan's sober and subdued manner. "Why do you not think I would want you there? Where else would my padawan be but at my side? If Mr Mathers tries to make any verbal attack on you then he will have to face me first." "Master, please don't think me ungrateful," Obi-Wan wrapped the towel loosely around his neck, "because your support means a lot to me. But in many ways I think it might provoke less reaction were I to remain here. Not only would my presence be awkward but it is possible on certain levels the man might feel threatened were we both there. Two against one? It hardly seems fair…it might make him uneasy and less hospitable." //I was hoping it WOULD make him uneasy.// Qui-Gon admitted to himself. //Throw him off balance a little…but perhaps Obi-Wan is right. It is important to get off on the right foot. On neutral territory and alone, it does level the playing field and might make him slightly more amenable, which is what we all want really. It looks like Obi-Wan has thought this one through most thoroughly…// "Very well." Qui-Gon nodded, accepting the young man's suggestion. "I will be leaving shortly for our meeting. Perhaps you might make the most of the time and try and calm Jemmiah down a little. I'm not certain that my mention of her aunt and uncle's imminent arrival went down at all well…" "Jemmy's right." Obi-Wan forced a smile onto his face. "Understatement is a masterly virtue. If you'll permit me to observe, you have it down pat, master." Qui-Gon watched Obi-Wan retreat into the kitchen, wondering how much his volunteering to stay home had something to do with being with Jemmiah rather than offending Mr Mathers. Obi-Wan's ideas of diplomacy were sound enough, but perhaps they had been tinged with more personal reasons? Then again, maybe he was doing the man a grave injustice, for Qui-Gon had noticed a considerable growth in the padawan's maturity since they had been reunited. He didn't particularly want to meet Mathers again, and certainly not so early in the morning, but the transmission waiting for him when he had awakened had politely informed him that the Corellian man and his wife had arrived first thing that morning, and were safely ensconced in The Birdsnest hotel, one of the most exclusive on the face of the entire planet. Typical of the man, throwing his money around again! Not that it would do any good this time, as Jemmiah wasn't there to see it. Gruffly, Qui-Gon couldn't help but wonder which tree they had cut down and gift-wrapped for Jemmiah instead of presenting her with a more traditional bouquet… The other thing that worried him was his back. It had been playing merry hell with him for the last few weeks on and off, but this time he had reached the end of the line and he knew it. Leona had as good as forced him to request surgery and had originally booked him in for the next day but one, yet knowing as he had of Kelik's arrival, Qui-Gon had cancelled it once again. Leona would be furious with him when she found out. Surely though she must understand why! Paranoid as it seemed Qui-Gon was not prepared to let Kelik buy his way into Jemmiah's favor without his being there. As Qui-Gon pondered his ill fortune he became aware of a single, hair-covered eye staring up at him from the floor. He'd almost forgotten about the dog! Obviously tired after the previous day's escapades Zebedee made no move to stir from the comfortable rug on which he lay. Qui-Gon looked at the cannoid…then at his chrono… "I think I'll be going, padawan." Qui-Gon managed to spring to his feet with the speed and agility of a ten year old, albeit one with a crippled back. "I'd better not keep Mr Mathers waiting…" "Master, is something wrong?" Obi-Wan observed the sudden need for haste with some alarm. "Why the rush?" "…Can't stop now, padawan. I've got to go…speak to you later…" "Master? But I thought…" Obi-Wan stared blankly after Qui-Gon who was all but diving for the front door, which shut behind him with a loud slam. Such odd behavior! But why? There was no logical reason for it…unless of course…oh, no! "Please, not that…" Begged Obi-Wan, half-covering his ears. The chrono on the wall struck the hour with a loud, shrill chime - and suddenly the dog leapt up onto all fours and began tearing round and round the room, upsetting the furniture yet again and sending Qui-Gon's old boots into orbit as he did so. With Qui-Gon not there to feel the heat of his glare, Obi-Wan instead settled for using his eyes to fry the doorway where his master was last seen. Well, now he had his answer as to why the man was so concerned with getting out of the apartment! If only, Obi-Wan sighed as Zebedee knocked over the table again, he had thought of it first… ****** Qui-Gon arrived in the hotel's lobby some twenty minutes earlier than expected, ideally to give himself a little more time to work out what he wanted to say to Kelik Mathers. Not that he hadn't spent the majority of the last day doing much the same, but there was nothing like the immediacy of a situation to focus the mind and let ideas flow. The seats were plush and comfortable, and as such Qui-Gon felt somewhat out of place - like a tramp at a state ball. Whilst immaculately groomed and dressed Jinn was quite well aware that the humbleness of his tunic and robe didn't exactly blend in with the opulence of his surroundings. Well, hard luck if it offended the guests, the thought dryly to himself. He wasn't there to see them. There was only one person he needed to consider at that moment. When he attempted to think things through he found he could at last do so with an uncluttered mind and clear conscience. He had to come to the meeting with no pre-conceived notions of what Kelik was like or how he might act. Allowing to let his prejudices interfere would invalidate any useful opportunities for burying the hatchet once and for all. Instead, Qui-Gon was determined to remain the aloof, respected figure most considered him to be. Dignity was an important thing to maintain at all cost. Whilst wanting to at least appear friendly, Qui-Gon didn't think going against his nature and being overly chummy would do much either. Best to leave his negative emotions behind him before going into the meeting… Suddenly Jinn's ears detected the sound of two voices, one female and the other a tenor male tone, or Qui-Gon was no judge of a voice! The male in particular sounded rather familiar to him…damn! Had he decided to arrive early, too? "…Probably decided to arrive early," the terse Corellian accent echoes slightly against the cool marble tiles and magnificent domed ceiling. "Just to spite us!" "So did you, if you remember!" Answered the female. "So that you could work out what you were going to say…" Qui-Gon stood up from his carved, wooden seat and allowed Kelik to see where he was. He was almost certain he saw him whisper a "told you so" out the corner of his mouth, although the man himself never took his eyes off the jedi for a single moment. Whist Qui-Gon was willing to be polite he wasn't going to let himself be out-stared! Now it seemed as if both of them had been caught on the hop. Maybe that was a good thing, Qui-Gon reflected; for now there would be no pre-thought words to hide behind and the only weapons they brought to the meeting were their own wits… //Force, this might be a long morning…// Qui-Gon thought. -----signature----- The new improved Hell's Chance Cantina! Home for many assorted JA fanfic stories!: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/index.html Open to all: have a go at Star Wars Caption Contest no.7: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/Caption_comp.html
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Miana Kenobi Title: Pacific Region RSA NSWFF Manager Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 2/8/03 10:52pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	hehehe.. again, I think Qui-Gon has mastered that understatement business... And I have to let out another "Awwww!" to Kryz saying that he could finally go... So wonderfully sad!! Awesome posts everyone! -----signature----- You can't take the sky from me. He tini nga whetu e ngaro I te kapua iti. Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
RogueJaina Registered: Jul '01	Date Posted: 2/9/03 1:14am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	Wow, it's all so good, I don't even know what to say... Um, mad props to everyone? (Did I get that right? I spend most of my time disconnected from the real world, and the only slang I hear is Catholic school slang at work and Mormon slang at church... ) -----signature----- Please welcome our family's newest (future) SW freak: Emma Rose Born April 5, 2004 8 lbs., 2 oz 20 1/2 inches and very healthy and beautiful! The Force is strong with this one!
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Healer_Leona Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 2/9/03 4:12am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	Acckkk, I thought I had already replied to Friday's post!!! Evla never even came to mind... though of course the way she protects Jemmiah I should have known. Didn't take long for that maternal side to come out again as she saw Kryztan cringe away form her. I'm glad she took a page from Jemmy and Qui-Gon's book and determined push her feeings aside. Outstanding!!! Oohh, a surprise post from HaiGan and Kit!! Wow, I loved how Sara was able to visit Barin through the Force... give him some reassurance in his thoughts. I do hope what Sara said sinks in and he doesn't allow the past to disturb him. And I do hope the Captain can remove Biwo before he does himself or anyone else any harm. Beautiful ladies!! I'm with Qui-Gon in thinking there were ulterior motives in Obi-Wan's very rational reasons in not wanting to meet the Mathers... and the way the Master left so abruptly... too funny!! Oh boy... looks like it's going to be a bit more uncomfortable than even Qui-Gon thought. Superb Jemmy!!! -----signature----- I'm older now and still running against the wind
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
mouse2 Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 2/9/03 5:02am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way! - Date Edited: 2/10/03 5:03am (1 edits total) Edited By: mouse2
	Qui-Gon I think you're right. It is going to be a long morning! Maybe that's what you get for leaving right before Zebedee launches into a spaz! But think of the meeting this way... You're both there to discuss someone that you both care about and she's what's important not what you think of each other. Fantastic post Jem! -----signature----- Want to know what ANTAR and TLST are? Visit Hell's Chance! http://www.hellschancecantina.com Proud Master to Lola64! I've gone into lurking mode... If you need me feel free to PM me...
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
mouse2 Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 2/10/03 7:57am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	Just me giving this a kick up. <PUNT> -----signature----- Want to know what ANTAR and TLST are? Visit Hell's Chance! http://www.hellschancecantina.com Proud Master to Lola64! I've gone into lurking mode... If you need me feel free to PM me...
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jemmiah Registered: Mar '00	Date Posted: 2/10/03 1:52pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	WEEK FOUR, DAY THREE, HOUR ONE: ************** When only five or so paces apart from each other, Kelik Mathers and Qui-Gon Jinn stopped in their tracks, trying to weigh up the possible mood of their opponent. At Kelik's side came the tall, slender figure of his wife - perhaps a little more lined around the eyes since Qui-Gon had last met her, and possibly with a fraction of grey amidst her fine dark locks, but otherwise more or less as the jedi remembered her. Still, they were all seven years older. He supposed they were similarly looking at him and counting the wiry silver strands amongst his own long hair, and whilst he wasn't vain enough to ignore their existence he felt he could safely boast he had earned every one of them… Qui-Gon saw the woman nudge her husband almost inperceivably with her elbow. "Hello." Kelik said in a guarded voice that sounded as if he were under strict instructions to be on his very best behaviour. The outstretched hand was offered plainly and simply as a gesture of friendship although Qui-Gon could tell the Corellian was still very much on the wary side. Understandably so, as Qui-Gon had the exact same feelings as regarded Jemmiah's uncle! "It's been a long time, Master Jinn." "Seven years." Agreed Qui-Gon, dutifully accepting the hand with a singular, curt shake. "A rather eventful seven years all told." He turned to Kelik's wife and bowed deferentially to her, not wishing to seem impolite. "A pleasure to see you again after all this time." Kelik eyes him lugubriously, evidently not convinced by the Jedi's diplomatic words but, under orders from his wife, unable to offer any kind of challenge. "Well, of course things have changed a lot since we last talked face to face." The Corellian replied with his usual mix of dry wit and charm. "But no doubt we'll discuss that in due course. It can keep," the man said airily, letting his words hang in the air, "…for the moment." So that was the way things lay, was it? Qui-Gon didn't feel terribly surprised by Kelik's unsubtle warning that certain sore points were going to be brought to the surface; things that perhaps neither of them would want to discuss under ideal circumstances. Maybe as Leona suggested it would be better to get their troubles out in the open and discussed instead of reluctantly sweeping it all under the carpet. Kelik's manner didn't seem aggressive or vengeful, perhaps lightly mocking but hardly anything that Qui-Gon felt unable to cope with. He could sense no real dislike on Kelik's part, and as for himself Jinn found - now they were actually face to face - that he couldn't summon up the heart to feel antipathy for the man, either. Still, he doubted they would become close friends any time soon. "I'm perfectly happy to discuss anything that you feel worth mentioning." Qui-Gon's expressive remained perfectly calm and unmoved in any way. "Whenever you see fit to do so." THAT would take the wind out of his sails! Kelik beckoned to a spare seat in the foyer beside a little artificial fountain and bade Qui-Gon be seated, whilst his wife - clearly a woman on a mission if Qui-Gon ever saw one - remained standing. As Kelik sat down, Qui-Gon thought he saw a rather odd, almost mischievous light brighten the Corellian's eyes. "Your apprentice couldn't join us?" Mathers asked casually, although there was a certain amount of grit in his voice as he spoke. "He's not been badly hurt, I hope…not badly." He added with a small smirk which suggested just how much he hoped the padawan had suffered considerable hardship whilst lost on the moon. Once again his wife nudged him (this time less subtly than before), in the ribs. "Kelik!" She whispered warningly. "Shhh!" Qui-Gon saw fit to ignore the man's attempts at provocation. "Obi-Wan will be most concerned for your kindness in thinking of his welfare at this most trying of times." This time he chose his words with even more precision, reminding Kelik that Jemmiah hadn't been the only one who had struggled over the last few months through Kryztan's perfidy. Ah, that was something else that he was not looking forward to explaining! Bad enough that Jemmiah was sick and in the infirmary with Kelik always wondering if she was getting the best treatment possible, but having to explain that her miscarriage had been the result of a Jedi's treachery might come as a shock to a man who hadn't seemed particularly pro-jedi at the best of times… His words had the desired affect and Kelik squirmed ever so slightly in his seat. "Master Jinn," the woman said, "I hope you won't think me terribly ungrateful if I leave you both to your little…er, discussion." She smiled nervously at him, sweeping her hair away from her face. "But first, could you let us know how Jemmiah is? Is there anything that she needs or that we can get her to cheer her up?" Qui-Gon turned melancholy eyes on her. Her concern at least was sincere; in fact he was puzzled as to how reserved and calm an individual she seemed compared to how she had been at their last meeting. Jemmiah herself had always referred to Kelik's wife as "an un-capped well of sugaryness", gushing in a sickly-sweet way and by nature far too interested in everybody's affairs. There was no indication of any such thing in her behaviour, Jinn conceded, but perhaps like Kelik she too was going out of her way to be pleasant. "Jemmiah," Qui-Gon said in a gentle yet matter-of-fact voice, "is very sick, but our healers are experienced and they have said that she is recovering - slowly." Both Kelik and his wife seemed naturally quite relieved at the news; he was pleased to note. "It will take a lot of time. She's very weak and enfeebled at present, and I'm afraid you might find her somewhat fragile appearance distressing. As for what she needs, I would say a healthy dose of love and attention." Something you couldn't buy at a shop, he wanted to add - but didn't. That seemed to throw the pair of them into some confusion, even although Qui-Gon kept to himself any mirth he was experiencing as a result of this. There was no question in his mind that the pair of them did indeed love Jemmiah, and maybe had they been given custody from the start they would have found a way of expressing that love in another way other than throwing money in the girl's direction. Jemmiah however was stubborn, secretive and not one to allow anyone to get too attached. Perhaps at last Qui-Gon began to appreciate just what an upward struggle the Mathers had been facing all those years. Maybe their behaviour was just a symptom of Jemmiah's problem. "I…I thought maybe something small and personal." Kelik's wife regarded him with uncertainty, almost looking to him for guidance. I mean, one doesn't like to be thought of as mean yet I wouldn't wish to overwhelm the poor girl if she's so unwell…" "A consideration of thought that does you credit." Qui-Gon smiled back at her, instantly putting her at ease. "In truth her spirit is lively enough but her mind and her body is worn out. It might be best to get her something she could use when she is well enough to appreciate it. Something like clothing vouchers." He watched the almost shocked look on the woman's face as he said the word. Didn't they have vouchers on Corellia, he wondered silently? Or was it simply that class thing where the Corellian elite went to exclusive stores and paid money up front - for all to see and admire? Qui-Gon could see the woman's principles waver in the face of what she surely must recognise to be a sensible, practical idea. Good, he mused; if he was helping to educate her to better know Jemmiah's mind then their meeting was not in vain. "Vouchers…" She replied in a distant sort of voice. "How very…novel! Yes, I can see where it might have its advantages. I mean, it's not like she'll be able to go shopping for herself for quite some time, is it?" Qui-Gon noticed that the woman's confidence seemed to take a sharp dip now that she was straying into uncharted territory. If she talked about shopping, high society, gala dinners, Nargot racing stables and the like then she was fine. Anything else and her nerves began to kick in, as they were evidently doing now. To back up his assertion, Jinn found the woman's voice begin to climb in pitch to that annoying, syrupy tone over which Jemmiah so liked to roll her eyes. "No," Admitted Qui-Gon realizing that the time had probably come to tell the pair of them a few, well-meaning home truths about the young woman who they claimed was their first priority, "no it will be a long time until she is well enough to do so. She can sit up and perch on the chair next to her bed but I'm afraid that is the limit of her existence at the moment. As you can imagine it is causing her some distress." "Poor girl." He heard Kelik's wife whisper. "Indeed, but she bears it tolerably well." Agreed the jedi master, trying to get comfortable against the padded back of the chair. "But if you will permit me to make an observation that you might find slightly hurtful - and believe me I do not say these things to deliberately cause any bad feeling - I don't think that you know Jemmiah terribly well." "You have the advantage of us there." Kelik replied, trying to keep his natural Corellian sarcasm under check. "Seeing as how she lives with your crèche master and not with us on Corellia." He should have known that Kelik would have taken his comment the wrong way and tempered his words accordingly, but of course he had not. Sometimes Qui-Gon wondered what it was about Kelik Mathers that so made him want to descend to the levels of petty childishness and cast his jedi training temporarily to the side as if in some seizure of madness. Of course the answer to his question was simple: Jemmiah. Willing his blood pressure not to rise Qui-Gon merely nodded and bowed his head respectfully. After all, what Kelik Mathers had said was correct… "What I mean was purely that Jemmiah is a very, very private person. You must have seen this…experienced how hard it is to communicate with her sometimes." Qui-Gon looked between the two of them to make sure he had their full attention - which he had. "But you haven't begun to understand what drives her. I know I've only scratched at the surface and I've known her for seven years now on a regular basis. Sometimes she shuts me out, too. You're not the only ones. And of course when that happens it hurts…" They were now staring at him curiously, and Qui-Gon sensed he had at last made some inroads in getting them to lower their guard - Kelik in particular. The thought that he, a revered jedi master (no doubt Jemmiah had made him seen almost like a walking deity in her attempts to get her uncle to cut him some slack) could face similar problems to themselves was possibly something that had never even crossed their minds. "She finds it difficult to trust people." Continued Qui-Gon resolutely. "Myself included on occasion. She thinks, possibly correctly, that I am overprotective of her and that I stifle her freedom. But for example, did you know that although she enjoys buying things, she far prefers to go window shopping?" He asked Kelik's wife, who was regarding him slack-jawed with astonishment. "Did you know that whilst she likes the gentler, more ladylike art of riding Nargots she actually prefers the idea of flying speeders and tinkering with swoops? That whilst she wants desperately to make a name for herself she is too afraid to do so, lest she the attract attention of the wrong kind of people?" "We," Kelik exchanged wary glances with his wife, "have had some difficulty in getting to know her as well as we would like, over the years. The only thing that really seems to keep her enthralled is the fact that she loves Corellia; she says that she finds it beautiful. It's a start but still, it's difficult just to build on that one thing. She has little or no interest in hearing about her family history, and when she does make enquiries," Kelik's face became taught, almost irritated, "It's always about her father's side of the family. She won't talk about her past…she never discusses her mother or brother. It's as if they don't exist for her anymore! She hasn't looked at that trunk I left for her, full of her mother's belongings and holos. As for what else she might actually like: we've tried lots of different things in the hope that maybe something will attract her attention and act as a kind of bond between us…riding, dancing lessons…of course she excels at both but it's as if she's determined to keep us at arm's length." "It's much the same with all of us." Qui-Gon replied truthfully. "Master Sovalla is possibly the person she is closest too in that respect. She has a friend whom she regards as a sister in Rela Quinn, who no doubt you will have heard her mention. And in addition to myself there is also my padawan, who I sometimes think is the only one who can truly reach her…" He saw Kelik's manner instantly stiffen, at the same time sensing the woman's warning glare in an attempt to keep her husband from saying anything he perhaps shouldn't. Yes, Qui-Gon acknowledged, there were obviously problems there…ones that needed to be aired for the sake of progress. He could understand Kelik's disappointment over Jemmiah's pregnancy but still… "You have something to say as regards Obi-Wan, maybe?" Qui-Gon said in a disarmingly smooth voice. "Then I think perhaps that now is the time to hear it…" -----signature----- The new improved Hell's Chance Cantina! Home for many assorted JA fanfic stories!: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/index.html Open to all: have a go at Star Wars Caption Contest no.7: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/Caption_comp.html
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
mouse2 Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 2/10/03 2:20pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	So close yet so far! I think the Mather's need a lesson in character not finance. But it's good to know that they do seem to want what's best for Jemmiah, although they don't know what she thinks is best for her. I feel a big uh oh coming with Obi-Wan coming into the topic. To quote the cheeky padawan, I have a bad feeling about this! -----signature----- Want to know what ANTAR and TLST are? Visit Hell's Chance! http://www.hellschancecantina.com Proud Master to Lola64! I've gone into lurking mode... If you need me feel free to PM me...
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Healer_Leona Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 2/11/03 4:23am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	I find Qui-Gon holding himself quite admirably with Kelik's little digs. lAnd I'm all for getting these feelings out in the open now... certainly before going to Jemmiah who will not at all appreciate any unkind words dirtected at Obi-Wan from her uncle!! Great post Jemmy!! -----signature----- I'm older now and still running against the wind
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jemmiah Registered: Mar '00	Date Posted: 2/11/03 2:21pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	I apologise if anyone finds these posts dull, but they are character driven and I suppose the plot doesn't really move forward in them. Hope nobody is sent off to sleep, lol! *********** WEEK FOUR, DAY THREE, HOUR ONE: Kelik stared at Qui-Gon as if trying to work out if the man was in earnest and then after a moment's contemplation decided that he was! Didn't the jedi see that he was laying himself wide open for attack with such an invitation? Or did the man simply not care? Mathers had heard the jedi were cool and resolute under fire but still, from what Jemmiah had told him, the man regarded his padawan as a source of continual pride…were the jedi supposed to have pride, Kelik wondered? No matter, the fact was that if Jinn had placed all his hopes in this young man then he obviously hadn't made a very good job in training him, not if the facts bore out the truth the way he saw it! "Master Jinn, I think maybe it's time that I left you two alone." Kelik's wife went to touch him on the shoulder, then at the last minute pulled away as if afraid that such a gesture might not be acceptable to a jedi master. "No doubt we'll meet each other again soon…and thank you for the, er, suggestions." She flashed a nervous grin at him that flickered and died within the space of a single second. "I'm sure they will be most illuminating. Kelik," she turned to her husband, once more her eyebrow standing alert and to attention like a sentry, "now, if you are going to discuss…" "I'll watch my manners." Kelik shot a sideways glance at Qui-Gon, wondering if the Jedi's expression would ever remain anything other than neutral and unfazed. "I'm sure we can talk without coming to blows. Besides which, I don't thing the "Birdsnest" would like the bad publicity that would go with a brawl in their lobby." Kelik could tell she wasn't convinced, perhaps through years of experience having lived with the man for so long. It was a cynical galaxy that they lived in, Kelik reflected as his wife reluctantly walked away, shooting the pair of them anxious little looks over her shoulder as she departed. When your wife didn't trust you, it was time to do something to repair the trust or alternatively, find another wife - and as he liked his wife well enough and, in truth, would feel rather lost without her, Kelik was resigned to controlling himself at all times. Why, passers by would be hard pressed to guess which of the two of them was the Jedi, he would appear so at ease! "Shouldn't worry about it anyway." Kelik muttered out the corner of his mouth as they watched the tall figure disappear around the corner. "I'm out of practice when it comes to brawling. Gave up years ago. My doctors told me that for the sake of my health I had to stop." "I had no idea," Qui-Gon frowned back, "that you suffered from ill-health. I'm sorry to hear it." "Ill health be damned!" Kelik grimaced as if at some unpleasant memory. "My wife told me if I didn't give up then she'd keep hitting me on the head with whichever blunt object happened to be nearest at the time!" "It seems your wife and Jemmiah have more in common than I thought." Qui-Gon commented, turning his face back to the Corellian man and taking in the lively eyes and quirky, long lips. He must have been a striking looking man in his youth, thought Qui-Gon, and he supposed that he and his wife must have made an interesting and much talked of society couple. Kelik grunted, then rubbed his hands delightedly, his whole expression changing in an instant. "Thank the gods she's gone!" He blew out a deep, relieved breath. "I never thought I'd get rid of her!" Qui-Gon's brow furrowed even further, not even close to comprehending what the man was talking about. "I'm not sure I understand." "Oh," Kelik reached into the breast pocket of his smart grey-blue jacket, foraging around once again, "don't mistake me. I like the old girl. Love her a lot. But she's far too smart…far more intelligent than I am! Knows me better than I do, if you catch my drift." Kelik located what he was looking for: a single brown cigara, which he brought to his nose, sniffing pleasurably for a moment before grinning back at the confused Jedi. "She also has a strong dislike of these," he held up the offending object, "and won't let me smoke them anywhere near her. Even in my own home I get sent to the bottom of our gardens if I want to take a draw. Caught me with 'em last night. Confiscated the whole packet barring three which she doesn't know about!" Kelik patted delightedly at his top pocket. "But I knew I had to get her to leave before I had a chance to enjoy them, so…" "You deliberately made it look as if you were about to tear strips off my padawan, is that right?" Queried Qui-Gon, much surprised. "If you'll forgive me for saying, I would say that you know your wife's mind just as equally as she knows yours!" Kelik shrugged nonchalantly. "It's no big deal. It's all a big game really, for both of us. As for your padawan, I admit I have a few problems there. Maybe I've chosen to play 'em up a bit but I can't help but wonder that you allowed your apprentice such…" Kelik cast around for a word that was both suitable and non-offensive, "…freedom with your custodial ward! Who also happens to be my niece." He added, as if it were really necessary. Ah, the old protective clannishness was beginning to raise its head! Qui-Gon could at least sympathise with that. After all, if it had been anyone other than Obi-Wan responsible for getting Jemmiah pregnant, someone outwith the temple for example, then there was a fair chance he would have burned a trail round to their doorsteps and intimidated them to within an inch of their lives! It was perhaps one of the few real bonuses of being a jedi: very few people wanted to mess with you, or hurt anyone who was in any way connected with you. And Corellians were notoriously protective of their own. "I wasn't especially thrilled when I heard the news, I grant you." Qui-Gon admitted slowly, turning the events over in his mind from the moment he had discovered the truth to the horrible news of Jemmiah's miscarriage. "I said from the word go that I wasn't happy with their seeing each other. I have a padawan to train who could well do without worldly temptations virtually on his doorstep! I have a daughter…" he amended his words carefully on seeing Kelik's eyes flash slightly with mild perturbation, "…a young lady who I still have obligations to look out for, and to see that no harm befalls her. I swore to do both, Mr Mathers and to the best of my ability I have done so. Yet…" "Jemmiah's pregnancy sort of knocked the stuffing out of you, hmm?" Kelik mused, holding out a cigara to Qui-Gon in the unlikelihood he would accept it. "Go on, take it. My way of calling a truce whilst we talk things through." He flashed a sudden grin that was not unlike that of Jemmiah herself. Truth to tell, Qui-Gon was hard pressed to see any physical resemblance between the two relations except for momentary glimpses such as the one he had just witnessed. The master focused on the cigara before deciding to accept the peace offering for what it was, surprising Kelik in the process, it seemed. "Thank you." Qui-Gon conveyed his gratitude with a tilt of his chin. "I don't as a rule, but seeing as how it is a gift…" Much to Kelik's astonishment the jedi held out the cigara for lighting, not tucking it away into his tunic as the man had expected. At that moment Qui-Gon felt the ice suddenly break between them. "Ah, a man who can adapt with the times." Kelik flicked out a somewhat tacky looking Gabali souvenir 'Corellian Blades' cigara lighter, something Qui-Gon felt certain Jemmiah's aunt would not have approved of in the slightest. It surely wouldn't go with the chandeliers and the plush carpets back in Kelik's rather stately home! "I like that!" He waited until Qui-Gon had taken a few guilty looking puffs (waiting to see if he'd choke or not on the highly pungent Corellian tabac) before settling back in his chair. "You were telling me about your padawan, weren't you?" Qui-Gon nodded, trying to exhale the smoke in as dignified a manner as possible. "I didn't let him away as lightly as you might expect on discovering Jemmiah's pregnancy. Far from it: I took my disappointment out on him to such an extent that it left him feeling unsupported, which was wrong of me. And that is the bottom line, Mister Mathers," Qui-Gon pronounced, "because Jemmiah wasn't the only one who suffered in this tragedy. You might find it hard to believe but Obi-Wan was greatly upset by what happened. It was after all his child too." "Well, he'd be a poor man if he didn't feel anything." Kelik's tone lowered respectfully. "And from what I have managed to glean he has at least stuck by her through all this. Something I know I perhaps should have done, more than I did…but what with one thing and another," he fractionally curled up his top lip at the memory of his son's part in the whole debacle, "I thought my intrusion would be unwelcome. You understand, I hope. A question of sensitivity." Qui-Gon wanted to tell him that his lack of communication had hurt Jemmiah more than any so-called well meaning interference would have but refrained from doing so. Let the man find that out for himself when he visited her! No doubt the subject would come up in discussion and, just as he and Kelik were doing at that moment, things would finally get dragged into the open. He wanted, for Jemmiah's sake more than anything, Kelik and his wife to get closer to their niece than she had previously allowed them…but always at the back of his mind, and perhaps in his heart too, a small part of him hoped it wouldn't be close enough to supplant him in her affections… And when she was older and had moved on in life, would she put him to one side like her real parents and brother? Would he just be another holopicture in a trunk, gathering dust inside some attic? It shouldn't matter to a jedi, of course. Life went on and things changed…but Qui-Gon found that it did matter to him, just as it mattered to Obi-Wan. "Her lack of communication with you personally," Qui-Gon felt reluctantly duty-bound to tell him, "was not because of any residual fall-out over what happened with your son, but rather because she was ashamed…embarrassed to talk to you about her condition. I understand that feeling. Obi-Wan came within a whisker of being dismissed from the jedi. Certain circumstances did fall in his favour apparently, because they allowed him to continue. I think he had made up his mind to stay with Jemmiah no matter what happened but she dreaded being the cause of his dismissal. And besides, Jemmiah has a habit of keeping things from people. It stems from her time on Nargotria. What you didn't admit to couldn't get you killed." He was thinking of his sister, Jemmiah's mother. Qui-Gon could sense it, and how badly he felt at not being able to do anything to help the long-dead Thena Gleshan. It seemed there was a large helping of guilt all round. "Obi-Wan's a gifted young man." Qui-Gon attempted to snap the other man out of his reverie. "And I ask you not to place all the blame on his shoulders; he is partly the reason that Jemmiah is still alive. I'm sure you are proud of your sons." He added pointedly. "Ah, yes I see." Admitted Kelik with a smile. "I know what you are saying. That no matter what their faults we cannot help but love our children. It's true, I confess. My sons can be petty, money grabbing and avaricious. Maybe that's my own legacy," he shrugged, hoping it were not the case, "but whatever the truth, they have good points too." "And I say much the same about my padawan. He's not avaricious or acquisitive by nature, but he is headstrong and can be his own worst enemy. The only reason I make a point of not telling him I think he has great potential is because, going on past experience, this makes for overconfidence in one's abilities. No jedi is infallible. I will do all in my power to make sure that nothing befalls Obi-Wan or sets him on the wrong path." Kelik looked at him astutely. "Including Jemmiah?" He questioned lightly. Qui-Gon said nothing. He simply didn't have an answer. -----signature----- The new improved Hell's Chance Cantina! Home for many assorted JA fanfic stories!: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/index.html Open to all: have a go at Star Wars Caption Contest no.7: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/Caption_comp.html
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
mouse2 Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 2/11/03 3:09pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	I will do all in my power to make sure that nothing befalls Obi-Wan or sets him on the wrong path. Qui-Gon if that's true, then what's with the whole 'train the boy' thing that you tell him in a few years?? I was glad to see that Kelik didn't harbor too much renentment towards Obi, but I can see where he's coming from. Granted Obi stood by Jemmy when she needed it when her family thought it 'best' not to interfere. It may be me, but a tragedy like that is the perfect time to interfere! A wonderful post Jem! I love reading about insight into the characters. It makes them seem so alive! -----signature----- Want to know what ANTAR and TLST are? Visit Hell's Chance! http://www.hellschancecantina.com Proud Master to Lola64! I've gone into lurking mode... If you need me feel free to PM me...
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jemmiah Registered: Mar '00	Date Posted: 2/11/03 3:12pm Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	LOL, thanks Mouse! I thought they might seem a bit dull. "Qui-Gon if that's true, then what's with the whole 'train the boy' thing that you tell him in a few years?? Ironic, isn't it? -----signature----- The new improved Hell's Chance Cantina! Home for many assorted JA fanfic stories!: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/index.html Open to all: have a go at Star Wars Caption Contest no.7: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/Caption_comp.html
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Healer_Leona Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 2/12/03 7:17am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	Dull Jemmy??? I hardly think so!!! No one fleshes out a character quite as well... or entertainingly as you! I love Kelik and his wife's relationship... one of unconditional love and tolerance!! And even more so the truce the two men came to in discussing matters close to their heart!! But my favorite part??? That Kelik had a Corellian Blades lighter!!! I did indeed catch that reference immediately!! *Ahhh, Sean Does Kelik have a tatto too??? One that reads 100% Blades??? Awesome post Jem!! -----signature----- I'm older now and still running against the wind
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
JediKnight-Obi-Wan Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 2/12/03 10:55am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	I take it you like Sean Bean Leona? Hey Jem and Calam, if she visits you guys, you need to take her to that restraunt we went to where that waiter was that looked like a younger Sean Bean. Yall remember that? And Jem kept making all those comments that had me rolling! -----signature----- "The course of true love never did run smooth"---A Midsummer Night's Dream
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Healer_Leona Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 2/12/03 11:48am Subject: RE: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (JA): Not quite finished but heading that way!
	Yes, JKOW I've become a BIG Sean Bean fan.. all thanks to Jemmy! I'd never heard of the man before she said he 'was' Dex Berlingside. After that I checked out all the sites and even the reason I went to see LOTR. I've recently started going through the Sharpe series a second time, thanks to a local library!! There's a Sean look-alike in Edinburgh???? The girls never told me that!!! And knowing Jem's like of Sean, I can imagine the types of comments she made about the man!! Another reason to keep counting those pennies!!! -----signature----- I'm older now and still running against the wind
	~~Locked Topic~~ \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

« 356 | 357 | 358 | 359 | 360 | 361 | 362 | 363 | 364 | 365 » - Previous | Next | Reload

Jedi Council Forums » Fan Fiction » Classic Fan Fiction »