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Author	Topic: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--Updated 1/4
DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 12/29/06 12:34pm Subject: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--Updated 1/4 - Date Edited: 1/3/08 11:07pm (9 edits total) Edited By: DarthIshtar
	Note: My many thanks go to Mar17swgirl who gave me this story idea based on a Czech book she read. ****** Passing Through the Darkness PROLOGUE Each day, it was easier to lie. Of course, they weren't significant lies. Jedi were taught to be honest in their dealings and Anakin had learned to espouse that philosophy long before Qui-Gon Jinn had come to buy parts at Watto's junk shop. In the Skywalker household, there was no set punishment for being caught in a lie, but the change in the atmosphere at home was punishment enough. Home had been a haven, a refuge from the treacheries of the world, and when there had been deceit, it turned from a haven into a prison. There was no warmth there and Anakin had learned to either confess his sin immediately or avoid the fault altogether in order to correct that error. Here on Coruscant, however, things were not so simple. Jedi were supposed to be honest in their dealings, but the entire art of diplomacy lay in their ability to work around half-truths and loopholes. They were taught to seek truth through the enlightenment of the Force, but to avoid telling the entirety of a matter until the necessary moment. And each day, it became easier to apply those skills to more ordinary tasks. As it had been on Tatooine, it was a matter of preserving the peace. After all, Obi-Wan didn't want to know the wrong answers to his questions and Anakin didn't want to endure yet another lecture. Did the meditation help? Yes, Master. Do you understand? Yes, Master. Anakin, are you happy here? Obi-Wan had not wanted him in the first place and every year, it became more clear that he was trying his best to hurry him along to Knighthood so he could get on with his more important work. He was always pushing Anakin to focus on the things that the Council would look for in the Trials. And yet the man didn't understand ambition. He didn't approve of Anakin's tendency to learn on his own and seek new truths. Half of the punishments were a direct result of Anakin's ability to outstrip his Master in some trivial matter. Obi-Wan would never admit it, of course. He would find some other part of the Jedi Code to explain why Anakin was wrong and push him as far away as possible so that Master Obi-Wan Kenobi would not be tainted by his apprentice's insolent and dangerous ways. That was fine. Most apprentices thought of their Master as a father or mother figure, but Anakin had not wanted or needed one of those. The Jedi had taken him away from his mother and he had never needed a father. All he looked for in Obi-Wan was something closer to a brother, someone who would teach him the tricks of the trade while still being young enough to remember what it was like to be a Padawan. Instead, Obi-Wan had seemed to forget that he had weaknesses the moment that he tied off Anakin's Padawan braid. Sure, there were a few times when he would relax or even, Force forbid, crack a smile, but he was aloof and couldn't care less if his Padawan suffered for it. He resented Anakin's destiny as the Chosen One and hated his powers because they would surpass his own. Instead of a brother or a teacher, Anakin Skywalker had been given a rival. ***** Obi-Wan had no desire to be here. After all, he had an apprentice to attend to and dinner to fix. As it was, the day had been long enough without having to go before the Council as well. It was, however, protocol that when the Council called, you never failed to respond. It was not that he was unwilling to hear the will of the Force. He simply could not abide the wait to hear that. The Council ran notoriously late at this late time of day and it was almost guaranteed that he would be kept waiting a good half an hour. He would have left and come back at that time, but if the Council chose to call him suddenly, it would be bad form to be found missing. So, instead, he was forced to sit in silent contemplation as the rest of the Knights, Masters and Padawans who had been called for a meeting with the Council waited their turn. They were similar to bored co-workers gathered around the hydro-dispenser for the daily gossip and just as obnoxious. "Well, I hear they're sending a team out to Naboo sometime this month. Something about the spice miners. I don't mind that as long as I get some time in at the Lake Country." "As long as it's not Aspora. Those people are impossible and I've been stuck with that assignment for six years." "They probably won't yank you from it, then. This is Elian's first mission and I'm hoping they'll give us that cakewalk out at Mon Calamari. The Naboo Lake Country has nothing on the reefs during Spring." "I wonder what idiot's going to get stuck with the Zcehc mission. Who's irked the Council lately?" "Depends on your definition of irked. Maybe if I ran home and baked some Wookiee Cookiees..." "No. Master Windu hates those. Besides, you wouldn't have time for a bribe. They've got their minds made up for them." "Doesn't hurt to try." "Master Kenobi?" Ana Liher, the Council aide, was standing in the doorway, looking vaguely sympathetic as she surveyed the confused jumble of Jedi milling about the Council's antechamber. "Here," he said immediately. She nodded her head in an informal approximation of a bow and stepped aside to let him pass into the Council chamber. He left his mind open, taking in the moods of the Council members as soon as he entered the room. There was nothing specific that stood out to him, but the Force was not at peace. Then again, when the Council called, this was usually the case. None of them reached out to probe his feelings, but he was leaving them on display as if his mind were an old-fashioned bound book ready for perusal. There was no need to delve deeper for now. As he reached the Speaker's Circle, he bowed formally, then let his hands hang passively at his sides as he regarded the Masters. "Thank you for coming on such short notice," Master Windu said. "Is your apprentice well?" "Anakin is performing well in his assignments," he responded honestly. There was a silence that reminded him that it was not what the senior member of the Council had asked, but beyond that, Obi-Wan was not in the mood to talk about his apprentice's tendencies to be a sullen teenager. Besides, the Council already had to know about that. Force knew that Kenobi and Skywalker were rather infamous for their tendency to argue in any setting. The Council also knew that no matter what the outcome, Obi-Wan never quite felt that he had achieved a moral victory. Anakin dealt too much in shades of grey for it to be certain what had been accomplished. "Do you believe he is ready for another mediation mission?" "I certainly do," Obi-Wan said. Mediation was the one thing that Anakin excelled at. Persuasion made him impatient and humanitarian missions were too easy for him, but mediation allowed him to put the shades of grey that frustrated his Master to good use. "What is the assignment?" he asked politely. "It will be a fairly difficult one," Master Windu admitted. "The world of Zcehc is holding its elections for the first time in a decade. As you may have heard, it is a democratic monarchy like that of the Naboo and they will be choosing their King or Queen this month." Obi-Wan nodded to indicate understanding while his hands clenched around folds of his robe. "I had heard as much, but also that there have been some complications." "Complications there always are," Yoda interjected solemnly. "Caution you must take in this matter, for a delicate balance there is that must not be upset." "There are certain factions," Master Windu elaborated. "Our intelligence indicates several groups who have been causing trouble during the primary elections as well as the campaigning. There have been assassination attempts and civilian revolts. It is not clear whether these will be put on hold for the duration of the election or if they will only increase in intensity." Obi-Wan's mouth stretched slightly in a grim smile. "I suppose that we will have to determine that," he granted. "Are there any particular instructions from the Chancellor?" That was the polite way of asking how far Palpatine wanted to meddle in order to get the right King elected. It could, however, invoke the Chancellor's good will towards Anakin and ensure that they would not be left politically stranded. "No," Master Windu said with a kind of bland satisfaction. "He has appointed an advisor on Zcehc itself, but that man will primarily be there at your disposal." That was highly unlikely, but Obi-Wan said nothing of that, only bowed his head in assent. "Yes, Master." Abruptly there was a soft clacking of Yoda's gimer stick against his Council chair and Obi-Wan met the aged Master's gaze without flinching. He could feel a feather-light touch on his mind and recognized it well as Yoda's, since the Master was astute enough to not require a more heavy-handed approach. "A concern you have," he said at last. As usual, it was a concern that Obi-Wan had not been conscious of until Master Yoda drew it from his thoughts. He held the thought in the forefront of his consciousness, considering the matter and its origin. "It is a question more than a concern," he mused. "Yes?" Yoda prompted after a further moment of silence. Again, Obi-Wan paused to gather his thoughts, but once that task was accomplished, his words came easily. "My apprentice is not here," he observed. "Is there a reason for this?" "There is," Master Windu confirmed and Obi-Wan could sense approval of the question coming from him. "It is a test." "Of Anakin." "Yes." He waved a hand in a small circle as if to explain. "Young Skywalker is an able mediator and you have trained him well, but one of his principle flaws is one shared by most Padawans. It is his need to know everything and to think that he is entitled to just as much foresight as his Master. It is a small sin of arrogance, but there comes a time in every training experience when he must overcome that." Obi-Wan's thin smile broadened. "I seem to remember that I was forced to do that more than once," he admitted. "As did we all," Ki-Adi-Mundi added wryly. "Perhaps this is only the first of many such trials. It will be up to him, but your task is to see that he reaps as much experience as possible from it." In every Council meeting, Obi-Wan went in prepared to be asked the impossible. Until Master Ki-Adi-Mundi's statement, he hadn't heard it. In Anakin's current state, Obi-Wan was not sure he could induce learning short of using physical force. Perhaps this mission was as much a test of the Master as it was of the apprentice. "Yes, Master," he said dutifully. "His exclusion, then, is a means of helping him achieve that end?" "That is our hope," Master Windu agreed. "Master Liher will have the files with the particulars of this mission and we will expect regular reports. May the Force be with you." With that, the matter was closed. His other answers would have to come from the Force. -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Noelie Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 12/29/06 2:08pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi-Wan/Anakin adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 1
	Obi-Wan would never admit it, of course. He would find some other part of the Jedi Code to explain why Anakin was wrong and push him as far away as possible so that Master Obi-Wan Kenobi would not be tainted by his apprentice's insolent and dangerous ways. That was fine. Most apprentices thought of their Master as a father or mother figure, but Anakin had not wanted or needed one of those Interesting, especilly in view of the review by that professor of Friesan philosophy I gave you that talked about the search and the need for a "real father" is the point and drive of every one of the six episodes. I did enjoy this. Great job following with the challenge. -----signature----- The relationship that has been created in this unique universe is so memorable, and so beautiful. It makes the heart ache. As far as I'm concerned, it's canon.~Ratna on the Noelaverse Proud member of the UPR
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 12/30/06 11:15am Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi-Wan/Anakin adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 1
	You wrote this in an hour? <Anakin>I HATE YOU!!11!</Anakin> Each day, it was easier to lie. Ah, nice opener. Sets the sinister tone immediately. Instead of a brother or a teacher, Anakin Skywalker had been given a rival. Ah, our shatterpoint already. This is going to end well. "As long as it's not Aspora. Those people are impossible and I've been stuck with that assignment for six years." ROTFLMAO . . . I'm flattered, my friend. Truly I am. Especially since that was originally a placeholder name I got too worn out to replace. I've got to figure out how to include some "Easter Eggs" while writing on the fly . . . That was the polite way of asking how far Palpatine wanted to meddle in order to get the right King elected. It could, however, invoke the Chancellor's good will towards Anakin and ensure that they would not be left politically stranded. Very nice setup. Quite a shaky house of cards, built with Anakin and his commitment to his studies as its keystone. No, there could be no impending doom here. Not at all . . . Please let me know when you update this--I can't wait to see how you spring the inevitable trap. -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 12/30/06 8:53pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi-Wan/Anakin adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 1
	Noelie--Yes, I agree with the Friesan guy and his theory on the need for a "real father." It's a very strong theme in Attack of the Clones in particular, but this is meant to form a contrast to that because of the attitudes that Anakin demonstrates in that film and what would precede them. Glad you enjoyed this. ophelia--LOL, please tell me that doesn't mean you'll cut my legs off at the knees and leave me to burn on the sands of a desolate planet. I wrote nearly as much today, but I'm hoping any of it is coherent. It may not be and my apologies for that. There's a definite sinister tone to this, but as I mentioned to Noelie above, this is trying to pave the immediate way to Anakin's actions from AOTC-ROTS. It's going to be a challenge to do that with the right kind of pacing. LOL, yes, this is going to end well. Just a few years down the line, but with some more immediate complications. I'm glad you liked the use of Aspora. I always laughed at that name because it was the exASPORAting sector in my mind. And yes, I know that's misspelled. That's the point. These "easter eggs" are like your alcoholic drinks in SWoA. I'm going to throw in a few more for good measure. It's a very shaky house of cards because each of them has a very different perception of what they are entitled to based on their devotion to their principles. There are very different principles, but no less intensity. And the trap is going to be more complex than I'm even hinting at. I'm excited. ***** There had been no summons from the Council or message from his Master, but Anakin knew by the end of his sparring sessions that he would not be at the Temple for much longer. It was not any kind of great insight granted by the Force or a suspicion confirmed. He was only certain of the fact because of the standard pattern that these matters followed. The first indication of an impending mission was a simple one. If you were not privy to the Council meeting where it was announced, you would still find out quickly enough when the Healers left a comm message reminding you to update your innoculations. There were few Jedi whose assignments were always based at the Temple or in the surrounding districts of Capital City. Most of those were either Archivists, Healers or relatively new Master/Padawan teams. For that reason, the Healer's wing was one of the most common haunts of a field Jedi between the ages of twelve and seventy. They would approach the Wing with the usual grumbles about being test nerfs or how the Healers were carnivores in a past life, but they would also feel a thrill of anticipation at knowing that they were heading into the Galaxy in the service of the Force once more. The term 'field Jedi,' however, did not apply very convincingly to the Kenobi/Skywalker team. It was true that they were infrequently at the Temple due to the demands placed upon them, but Anakin knew that their missions rarely had anything to do with the extensive traveling that 'field' implied. Anakin had become accustomed to the missions, since Obi-Wan was well-known as a negotiator and respected as a diplomat. For the most part, the missions consisted of his Master looking impressive and Anakin trying to look dutiful. When there was a deviation from this pattern, Obi-Wan tended to get very grumpy. Anakin could not exactly blame him, since the 'deviations' usually tended to happen when something went catastrophically wrong. The instances were not as few and far between as either of them would have liked, but Anakin was always ready to take a more active part in the mission. The main problem with that was the fact that Obi-Wan had subsequently decided that his Padawan had what he unaffectionately called a "bloodthirsty arrogance." It was a frustrating misunderstanding at best and a blatant insult at worst. At times, his Master had been right and he had rushed into things out of a desire to participate. Obi-Wan could not deny, however, that in those circumstances, he was usually penitent. Anakin had, however, grown to expect that Master Kenobi would jump to the wrong conclusion. It was a habit that had been formed on the first day that Anakin set foot in the Jedi Temple and while he had been trained and humbled many times over the last nine years, his Master adhered to the same philosophy that had embittered him from the start. Obi-Wan had never wanted him and he kept inventing reasons why. As a result, these innoculations would probably be unnecessary. Anakin would be vaccinated against everything from the Raltiirian pox to the Mikalian ague and then sit in an uncomfortable chair every day for six weeks in a sterile conference room. He was one of the Padawan class' most advanced saber students, but the only danger he would be in was if someone with the Mikalian ague got a flimsicut and bled on him. Still, he went to the Healers' Wing at the appointed hour, curious about what planet would require Jedi services this time around. Obi-Wan was there already, sleeve rolled up as he patiently awaited the Healer's convenience. "Anakin," he greeted. "You received my message." "As a matter of fact, no," Anakin grumbled, settling himself on the examination table next to his Master's. "I did get a message from the Healers to get the pre-mission pincushion treatment." Obi-Wan rolled his eyes with a deceptively sympathetic smile that suggested he related to his Padawan on some fundamental level. "It will be worse than usual," he said with some semblance of an apologetic tone. "We're going to a world that does not have the same medical advances as our own and they want to ensure that we don't fall prey to an illness that was rendered obsolete three hundred years ago." "That's reassuring," Anakin responded, removing his outer robe and draping it over the table. "What world is this?" "Zcehc," Obi-Wan supplied. "The one with the upcoming elections," Anakin said immediately. His Master nodded approvingly. "Either you've been paying more attention in Current Affairs or the scuttlebutt around the Temple is more efficient than I thought." Anakin had to smile at that, since the Temple gossip mill tended to be more reliable than the Republic News Network, but he just nodded. "Some of both." "They have asked for Jedi mediation...Yes, mediation," he reiterated as Anakin's smile performed a remarkable disappearing act. Anakin attempted to look more cheerful than he felt at the prospect, but his effort apparently fooled no one. Obi-Wan let out a heavy sigh, then plowed on with his recitation as if nothing had passed between them. "There is some concern," he explained, "about the factions involved in the election. Monarchists are pushing for a hereditary ruler. Republicists are voting for an oligarchy that would give them more power in the everyday rule of the planet. There are at least three separate factions who would support a dictatorship if their candidate got elected." "This is why I hate politics," Anakin said with a sigh that perfectly mimicked his Master's. "As do I," Obi-Wan commiserated. "Politics are nearly as unbearable as the politicians themselves." Anakin's first instinct was to leap to the defense, since Obi-Wan could hardly claim that Chancellor Palpatine or the newly-elected Senator Amidala of Naboo were unbearable. It would have been a futile gesture, though. Obi-Wan was disapproving of Anakin's friendship with the one and his fond devotion to the other, even though he could, with the right amount of synthehol or an inadequate amount of sleep, be prompted to speak highly of the Republic Senate. "We will not be the only ones going from the Temple," Obi-Wan added, "but we will be the supervising team. The other team will be there as a kind of guard force." "The Council suspects trouble, then?" Anakin asked. "They anticipate it, as they do with all difficult matters of state," his Master countered. "If needed, we will serve the same function, but I hope it will not come to that." He could have pointed out that, for all Obi-Wan's negotiating skills, missions had the tendency to go in the opposite direction. Things always came out right in the end, but he had frequently seen his Master come dangerously close to impatience on several occasions throughout the years. Granted, those usually weren't anyone's fault in particular, but he knew too well that they were a bit of a sore spot for a poised man like the venerated Master Kenobi. Instead of bringing this up, Anakin simply refrained from responding. It was the polite thing to do. Obi-Wan could say all he wanted about his lack of discretion, but if he knew how much Anakin held back, he might hold his tongue once in a while. "And who are the others?" Anakin asked when his Master did not supply any further information. "I have not been given those details yet," Obi-Wan admitted with a sidelong glance. "We will be leaving tomorrow morning and I expect that all shall be revealed by that time." ***** The next morning dawned in the midst of a blizzard. They were hardly uncommon in the Temple district, since Coruscant was notorious for its volatile weather, but they were frequently a source of frustration for anyone who intended to leave the planet during them. It would mean at least an hour's delay and could, at worst, hold them up for a whole day. Anakin should have been meditating by the time the second hour rolled around, but instead, he went to his Master for an update. "Not to worry," Obi-Wan said more to himself than to his apprentice. "We will only be delayed a few hours before the worst of the storm passes." His tone was distracted, almost breathless and that was not like Obi-Wan at all. Moreover, he was pacing the length of his room, packing distractedly as he went, and his hands were currently twisting a summer tunic into an unrecognizable knot. His usually unflappable Master was showing signs of something close to alarm and Anakin's brow furrowed immediately in concern and confusion. "Something's wrong," he guessed. "Possibly," Obi-Wan said tersely. "The Council has lost contact with the other team and it's not certain what might have befallen them." "The other team," Anakin echoed. "Were they already on Zcehc?" "They have been on-planet to observe the situation for several days," Obi-Wan said. "The arrangements for our mediation were made through them and they will be advising us on potential difficulties." Maybe it wasn't concern for the other team, then. It was Obi-Wan's fear that he would not be in complete control of the situation from the moment he arrived. Those sorts of missions tended to be hell for the first few days before Obi-Wan got his bearings or someone found a useful tranquilizer. "They could be under a communications blackout," Anakin suggested. "We had considered that," Obi-Wan said dismissively, "but the rest of the planet does not seem to be under that same restriction." He had known that answer before Obi-Wan had uttered it, since nothing short of that could perturb Obi-Wan, but Anakin was simply trying to help. "Do we have any other contacts on Zcehc?" Anakin asked patiently. "Of course," his Master muttered to himself, "but the team was far better-suited..." "You know them, then?" Obi-Wan stopped his pacing, finally releasing the knotted tunic and smoothing it out carefully, taking control of the situation in the most fundamental manner. It was his way of restoring his inner peace and Anakin certainly hoped it would work this time. Things could get ugly otherwise. "As do you," Obi-Wan called over his shoulder as he folded the tunic and placed it in his luggage. "Master Llyr and her Padawan were the ones sent before us to this world." That was at least a reassurance. Ara Lian, Master Ana Llyr's Padawan, had more experience with the darker aspects of the Force than any other apprentice that Anakin knew. Master Llyr was no less qualified, but her most admirable feature was that she was prone to a more mature version of Anakin's bloodthirsty arrogance. "Then we have nothing to fear," Anakin said confidently. "No matter what keeps them from contacting the Temple, they will be able to overcome it." Obi-Wan nodded in slow jerks as if his motions were not his own. Finally, he turned a grim smile on his apprentice and spread his hands in a kind of bemused gesture. "I wish it were as simple as all that," he said honestly. -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Noelie Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 12/30/06 9:27pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 2/?
	Female Jedi after Anakin' own heart. Say it isn't so! Somehow the thought is a little ... scary. I like how the Temple rumors are far more correct than the Main Stream Media of the GFFA. There is something rather endearing in that... perhap their next step is to blog. -----signature----- The relationship that has been created in this unique universe is so memorable, and so beautiful. It makes the heart ache. As far as I'm concerned, it's canon.~Ratna on the Noelaverse Proud member of the UPR
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earlybird-obi-wan Registered: Aug '06	Date Posted: 12/30/06 11:23pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 2/?
	Great beginning for a story and I am looking forward for the rest of it. Please PM me -----signature----- writer and Star Wars fan FANART [link=http://boards.theforce.net/fan_art/b10020/25793899]fanart[/link] stories in my bio
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Mar17swgirl Registered: Dec '00	Date Posted: 12/30/06 11:27pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 2/? - Date Edited: 12/31/06 5:22pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Mar17swgirl
	Well, who'd've thought that. I really like the start of the story, Ish, the first hints of trouble, and a very nice insight into Anakin/Obi-Wan relationship. I'm really curious how are you going to shape the whole thing. Great start! EDIT: Oh, yeah: and @ "Zcehc"... -----signature----- "He was caught in Alicante with a sheep." "Flagrante, Chris, in flagrante." "Yeah... flagrante."
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Valairy_Scot Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 12/31/06 5:18pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 2/?
	Wow - what a great beginning, but boy, Ani is dismissive of Obi-Wan. I love it, though I don't think Ani has it right. The main problem with that was the fact that Obi-Wan had subsequently decided that his Padawan had what he unaffectionately called a "bloodthirsty arrogance." It was a frustrating misunderstanding at best and a blatant insult at worst. Gah, I love that. Anakin had, however, grown to expect that Master Kenobi would jump to the wrong conclusion. "As do I," Obi-Wan commiserated. "Politics are nearly as unbearable as the politicians themselves." Anakin's first instinct was to leap to the defense, since Obi-Wan could hardly claim that Chancellor Palpatine or the newly-elected Senator Amidala of Naboo were unbearable. It would have been a futile gesture, though. Obi-Wan was disapproving of Anakin's friendship with the one and his fond devotion to the other, even though he could, with the right amount of synthehol or an inadequate amount of sleep, be prompted to speak highly of the Republic Senate. Now as to this: Maybe it wasn't concern for the other team, then. It was Obi-Wan's fear that he would not be in complete control of the situation from the moment he arrived. Those sorts of missions tended to be hell for the first few days before Obi-Wan got his bearings or someone found a useful tranquilizer. That is too crazy funny! This is so entertaining - I love it! -----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
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 1/1/07 2:06pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 2/?
	Noelie--LOL, you would think of that, wouldn't you? These ones are fairly harmless. I think the Temple rumors would be more accurate because they would pride themselves on just how much they exactly know. LOL, don't give me plot ideas. earlybird-obi-wan--Thanks, earlybird. I'll certainly PM you. Mar17swgirl--My inspiration! Hi, Mar! Glad you liked the components of the beginning of the story. I'm curious as to hwow I'm going to shape it as well. I like writing Anakin/Obi-Wan and this is a slightly different take than I've gotten to write before because I usually do it after they're friends or at least when Anakin's not as much a sullen teenager. And yeah, Zcehc cracked me up... Valairy_Scot--Thanks, Valairy. Anakin is very dismissive, but he's got major cognitive distortion towards Obi-Wan. We see it predominantly in AOTC, but this is the germination and there will be some tempering of it through this expereince. Yeah, the whole paragraph about bloodthirsty arrogance was a bit harsh. LOL, that line about the tranquilizer was not written originally to be funny, but it turned out to be that way. Thanks! ***** Generally speaking, Zcehc was a bit of a novelty for them both. In this age of advanced technologies and complex communications, there were few worlds that preserved their more ancient traditions. Zcehc, however, seemed to favor the traditional as a matter of principle rather than for tourism's sake. Obi-Wan had initially been reminded of the courtyards of Naboo when he walked through the city streets, but Theed had hidden myriad modern conveniences among its elegant architectural structures. The Zcehcs seemed to eschew that practice entirely in every matter from their wheeled modes of transportation to the tower bells that chimed every quarter standard hour. It was, however, the first city in many years that he had traveled where he could hear the sound of his own boots on the cobblestones. That sort of quiet would have been impossible or surreal on Coruscant. "We prefer to keep things simple," Councilor Dajar explained over his shoulder as he led the way to the Hall of Convocation. "We have accepted starfaring as necessary, but there are few of us who choose to make it a habit." "Perhaps our Master Ki-Adi-Mundi should have accompanied us," Obi-Wan said with a genuine smile. "He is a Cerean and holds to the same ideals." "It is a rare gift to do so," Dajar asserted, "but we do not expect the off-worlders to adhere to our strictures." "We will respect them," Anakin interjected. "Our duty here is not to be disruptive." It was an admonition that Obi-Wan had repeated often and he could not be certain whether his apprentice was reciting something learned by reiteration or if he had begun to actually believe something that Obi-Wan tried to teach him. Only time would tell this time around. Dajar turned to send the younger man a gracious smile. "The Jedi reputation for diplomacy was clearly not an exaggeration," he commended Anakin. "Of those who have come here, you are among the very few who have been so respectful of our traditions." "Even our colleagues?" Obi-Wan interjected. Dajar glanced down and to the left, but even without the visual stimulus, there was still a nervous tension in his sense that suggested he had something to conceal. "I did not have contact with Master Llyr and Padawan Lian," he said, leaving no trace of deceit in his voice. "Once we reach the Hall, you will be able to interrogate those who knew them." It was an interesting choice of words and immediately gave them both a better sense of the man's attitude towards the Jedi. Interrogation was something rarely used, if at all, as a general rule. Obi-Wan did not, however, mention that. Anakin did not seem to have even noticed the strength of the term. Either that or he felt that it was inconsequential. Or, more simply, he could be biting his tongue. "Will we be staying near the Hall of Convocation?" Obi-Wan asked. Dajar nodded as he allowed them to catch up to him. "We have made arrangements for you to take a room with one of the candidates' sisters. Her home is no more than five hundred paces from the Hall." "Thank you," he responded, glancing over to gauge the man's expression and finding it oddly blank. "Your Council has explained the particulars of our situation?" "Of course," Obi-Wan assured him, "but if you don't mind, we shall have to benefit from your perspective on the matter." "Certainly," the man said tersely. Before they could speak further, the narrow street that they had been traveling opened into a large, open courtyard. The fountain at the center was elaborate, but silenced for some reason. It was clearly a central location in the city, but they were the only ones to traverse that distance. At the eastern edge of the square, the Hall of Convocation stood. A low building of carved stone, it hardly seemed to be a political center, but that could have been a function of their traditions. He said nothing about the matter, but could feel Anakin's vague unease at the silence. The entrance to the Hall was guarded by two silent types who had the air of professional soldiers rather than the sheepish bemusement of volunteers. Without comment, Dajar passed over their identichips and a moment later, the guards stood aside to let them pass. Inside, it was no less still than the courtyard had been. It was as if the populace had been strictly forbidden to emotionally register the situation. Anakin opened his mouth, but Obi-Wan shot him a stern look to forestall any questions. It was best at the moment to follow their guide's lead and if that meant spending the entire journey to the Council chamber in silence, they would respect that. He was never sure exactly why Dajar had chosen silence, but they reached the South Convocation Chamber without having spoken again and Dajar wordlessly cleared them through another set of guards. The moment that the door closed behind them, though, they were rewarded for their patience with an explanation of a sort. "My apologies," Dajar said quietly. "We have had the misfortune of experiencing security breaches. Whoever is betraying our counsels is using offworld technology to do so and we have, as yet, been unable to find the source." "Then, how do you know it's offworld technology?" Anakin asked, immediately coming to the defense of anything that he could tinker with. Dajar did not answer immediately, only turned and proceeded to the oblong table at the center of the room. It was empty just now, but he took a seat halfway down the left side and gestured them to chairs at the end. "You will understand better when the others arrive," he explained, "but the brief explanation is that some of our sources are not as...traditional as we would like them to be. They rely on more modern conveniences, but are good enough to keep them to themselves, so we seek no quarrel with them. One of these sources has monitored outgoing communications transmissions. Since there are so few transmissions, she caught the tail end of a transmission that was suspect." "Have you identified the voice?" Anakin pressed on. "It was sent as a text transmission," Dajar countered with a heartfelt grimace. "She has since been monitoring transmissions from that code and any in a similar format, hoping to identify the origin, but it is no easy task." Obi-Wan allowed himself a slight smile. "My Padawan may be able to help in that regard," he offered. "He has an instinctive ability to work well with technology, as you may have guessed from his constant questions." Anakin bristled at that as if Obi-Wan had touched a sore spot. Perhaps the reference to 'cosntant questions' had suggested that Anakin was meddling in things that he should not have. That had not been Obi-Wan's intention and they had no time to clarify that matter, but it would certainly be worth his while to broach the subject later. There could be no rifts between them if this mission were to succeed. "I am glad to hear it," Dajar responded respectfully. A chime sounded and he stood, crossing to the ornately-carved tiukha wood doors. Once opened, the doors permitted the entrance of eleven others, obviously the rest of the Council. The four women and seven men moved into the chamber with everything from purposeful strides to a vaguely nervous shuffle. "No unpleasant surprises since our last convocation?" Dajar asked once the doors were closed once more. It was the youngest of the women who responded, a dark-haired woman with narrow eyes and an imperious tilt to her chin. "None according to our debriefing as of a few minutes ago," she assured him. "Has our friend with the overactive eardrums made contact again?" "No, Lady Majva," Dajar responded. Without permitting or prompting further questions, he gestured to the Jedi. Obi-Wan and Anakin stood in a gesture of deference and bowed in unison. A few of the councilors returned the gesture, but the other responses were more difficult to assign to a face. The others either nodded or did not move a muscle. Among them all, there were many impressions of anger or suspicion or outright admiration. He was intrigued by the former and amused by the latter, but he kept his face as impassive as before. "We thank you inviting us," Obi-Wan said formally. "As we have already told Councilor Dajar, our intention is to avoid causing disruptions. We are here to see that things go as smoothly as possible in the election process." There was a sound as if someone had stifled a snort of disgust, but again, it was difficult to pinpoint who it had been and disbelief was hardly a crime. "Who among you are candidates?" he asked politely. "Lady Majva," Dajar indicated, "Lord Dhiaren and Lord Hirum Dajar." Obi-Wan nodded to all three. "We will need to speak to you about the particulars of your security," he said unapologetically. "Would you be willing to convene here one hour after sundown?" "That is unwise," Majva interrupted. "There are those who are causing trouble among us because they think that our frequent meetings indicate some kind of tyrannical conspiracy. You will be staying at my sister's house and surely there will be no suspicion aroused by my coming to visit her." It was, however, an unsecure location. From the circumstances, however, it seemed as if that sort of indiscretion was unavoidable at the moment. "Is that satisfactory to the rest of you?" he asked. "We will be there," the younger Dajar indicated. "Whether we will be of use to you is another matter." -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Milteck Registered: Jul '06	Date Posted: 1/1/07 5:09pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 3/?
	Very well written DarthIshtar Can you add me to pm list for this one D.M. -----signature----- Milteck Vector Prime: A New Beginning: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26806805/p1/?4 Dawn of a New Age: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/25874280/p1/?241 Trial by Fire: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28846017/p1
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 1/1/07 6:08pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 3/?
	I lost my comments for post 2 when my computer suddenly shut itself down. I'm enjoying this very much so far--the culture you've created is intriguing, and I like Anakin's ambivalent reaction to it. It rings very true that he would resent anyone who looked down upon his beloved gadgets. I also really like how you've managed to put a very Jedi-esque spin on what must've originally been a political intrigue/spy story(?) Obi-Wan and Anakin remain Obi-Wan and Anakin, and yet have stepped seamlessly into a story that could have been set a long time from then and far, far away from there. Also, I still hate you for being able to turn out stuff like this in an hour. -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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Noelie Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 1/1/07 6:26pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 3/?
	I really like the culture too. What they are going through just to speak of security is intriguing. -----signature----- The relationship that has been created in this unique universe is so memorable, and so beautiful. It makes the heart ache. As far as I'm concerned, it's canon.~Ratna on the Noelaverse Proud member of the UPR
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 1/1/07 8:06pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 3/? - Date Edited: 1/1/07 8:08pm (1 edits total) Edited By: DarthIshtar
	Milteck--Thanks, Milteck. I will certainly add you to the list. ophelia--Awww, poor dear. My computer does that, too, and I hate it. I liked the idea of this culture when Mar mentioned that it's supposed to be a tehcnologically primitive planet. It reminds me of Angharad, but on a much more feudal leval. His gadgets are half of the things that he is useful with, so of course he would resent it. LOL, glad you think they've stepped seamlessly into the situation. That will slightly change in the future because of certain things that haven't come up yet in terms of the politics. And like you can't turn stuff out that's much better than this in 1 hour! Noelie--Glad it's going over will. I think the security is going to get a bit more intriguing, but I won't explain how just yet. Author's note: Since this is based on a Czech story in part, I spent some time with Czech dictionaries and phrase books tonight. Anything foreign in here is basically a massacred transliteration into "Basic" of what my research has yielded. If I offend any Czechs, my apologies. Here's a rough translation of the conversation in Zcehc/Czech: "Good day. How are you?" "I am fine. Their language?" "Yes." "My Zchec is bad." "Welcome." "Thank you." "See you later." ***** Their first stop after leaving the Hall of Convocation was, of course, the spaceport. They had left their supplies on the ship so that they would not be cumbered while conducting the initial meetings with the Council. Fortunately, it was a Jedi habit to travel light and they only had one rucksack each. Their guide, one of the guards from the Hall, seemed uncharacteristically chatty, talking at the speed of light in a thick accent about the preparations for the elections and how it was his first time participating. "I come from a long line of guardsmen," he boasted, "and my sixth great-grandfather was a guardsman to the king in the year that they first began holding the elections." "You were expected to carry on the tradition, then?" Anakin prompted. "Not really," he responded with a shrug. "My older brother is a guardsman as well, but my younger is a doctor and my only sister is an artist. I chose it because I wanted to live a noble life." Obi-Wan flashed a sympathetic smile that only Anakin saw. "Position is not the only indicator of nobility," he commented, "but I can understand the ambition." "Of course you can," the guard grinned. "Then again, you're born to it, aren't you?" "In the same way you are," Anakin interjected. The guard turned to grin at him. "The way you talk, I wouldn't think that you were half a dozen years younger than I am." Obi-Wan let out a chuckle that Anakin couldn't interpret at all and his eyes narrowed. Was his Master mocking him? It was still too early in the day for that. "Anakin has a strange kind of wisdom," Obi-Wan explained. "He came to us later than most, but he lived a hard enough life that he learned most of the lessons that I had only heard of by that age." It was a sort of backhanded compliment that Anakin wasn't sure how to take, but Obi-Wan didn't seem to mean anything cruel by it. He cleared his mind, leaving it open to something more concrete than a first impression. If Obi-Wan noticed the difference, he didn't say anything about it. "Well, I grew up pretending I was a guardsman," the guard sighed. "My mother used to confiscate my bow and arrow after I used my sister for target practice." "That'll do it," Anakin agreed with a matching grin. The guard shrugged. "Do you have any brothers of sisters?" Once in a while, Anakin caught a flash of memory from Obi-Wan. He wasn't sure that his Master ever realized he was broadcasting, but the image of a golden-haired girl, perhaps six years old, was always the same. Just as recognizable was the vision of the same girl, eyes staring sightlessly out of a bloodied face. Obi-Wan had never spoken of who it might have been or why she was in his memory and Anakin had never dared to ask. At this question, however, the memory of that girl surfaced again and it jarred him, sending a searing pain along the bond between Master and Padawan. He would have shut it out, but it was so rare to have Obi-Wan share anything with him that he would not deny it. "Once upon a lifetime," Obi-Wan said quietly. "Well, I was a bit of a bully, but I grew out of it," the guard continued as if he hadn't paid attention to the exchange at all. "Father thought my strong personality might suit me for his job and I think he was right." "You seem very capable," Obi-Wan assured him politely. They had reached the large square bordered by the Hall of Convocation on the Southern side once more. Their guide turned westward and crossed to one of the nearest streets. "Majva's sister is more sympathetic than the Councilor, but I suppose Majva's hard head is something that makes her a good leader." "Would you vote for her, then?" Anakin asked bluntly. The guard laughed a little too loudly, the sound ringing off the buildings and cobblestones. "I'm not sure I'll vote at all," he admitted. "I'm not particularly fond of any of the candidates." "But you think that Majva's a good choice," Obi-Wan observed. "I do," he confirmed. "We have passed through difficult times and she led us well in that war. It's what won her a spot on the Council and she's kept it by being willing to be stronger than the other man." Anakin had the feeling that, given enough time, he might like someone like her. She had not reminded him of Padme at the convocation, but then again, they had only been there for an hour. The guard's description of Majva, however, reminded him strongly of the girl Queen who had led a war at the age of fourteen. "Here we are," the guard said abruptly, stopping before a narrowly built house. "I don't think you'll be able to cross her, since neither of you seems like a loudmouth." "Only on special occasions," Anakin cracked. The guard's brow furrowed as if he wasn't sure how to take that, but he apparently decided to ignore it. Instead, he turned and knocked firmly on the door. Almost immediately, as if someone had been watching from within, the door opened and a slight, dark-haired woman with heart-shaped features appeared in the doorway. "Dovhri den," the guard greeted. "Yak se mhas?" "Mahm se dovre," the woman responded. "Rec svuy?" "Ano," the guard said. "Sorry," the woman said. "No good Basic." "Muy Zcehc nemocni," Obi-Wan replied genially. That at least made her laugh. "Uyde to. Work with you," she said, apparently charmed by his attempt to speak her language. "Good," the guard said. "This is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Znalek, and Anakin Skywalker, his Zelenak. Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker, this is Ilia Majva." "Viteyte," Ilia said graciously with a slight bow. "Dekuyi," Obi-Wan returned. "Dekuyi," Anakin echoed in kind. The guard murmured a quick explanation and Anakin caught a few of the words that he could recognize from the Council meeting in his speech. "Rada" was the word for councilor and "vejer" seemed to refer to evening. Apparently, he was acquainting her with the fact that she should expect half the planetary government to show up on her doorstep sometime this week. At least she didn't look put out by what he was suggesting. She simply nodded. "Na sledanou," she dismissed the guard as he retreated. "Na sledanou," he responded with a bow. In another moment, before either of them could find out what he had told their hostess, he had disappeared back in the direction whence they had come. Anakin shifted his weight uncomfortably to the other foot, uncertain of how to proceed, but Ilia turned and beckoned them into the house. They entered, finding it well-lit if as cramped as the exterior had suggested. "Sleep up and right," she said cheerfully, gesturing to the staircase. "Need help?" "No, thank you," Obi-Wan responded. He turned to Anakin. "I will be there in a moment. I just have a few questions for Lady Majva." Since his Master was likely to be spending the entire time trying out the few things he knew in Zcehci, Anakin nodded and mounted the stairs quickly. The bedroom door on the right-hand side of the corridor stood open and he entered to find a single bed shoved against the wall. A chest of drawers was crammed into the corner and if he moved carefully, he could fit between the wall and the bed. Instead, he knelt on the bed and pulled open the top drawer of the chest. Less than a minute later, he'd extracted and placed his tunics, robes and slacks in the top drawers. His spare boots went at the base of the bed and he was unpacking his undergarments when Obi-Wan pushed the door open. "She seems pleasant enough," Obi-Wan said without preamble. "She has two daughters and a son, all under the age of ten. They are in school now. Her husband is a blacksmith." "Did she say anything about why no one is in the streets?" "Of course," Obi-Wan sighed. "Everyone is afraid of partisan attacks before the elections, so no one is particularly eager to leave their homes." "But on the day of the elections, there will be so much confusion that if someone makes their move, the guards won't be prepared to handle the crowds on that scale." Obi-Wan grimaced. "My thoughts exactly, which is one of the things that I hope to discuss with the councilors tonight." He glanced at the chest of drawers, evaluating its usefulness, then shook his head and moved to sit next to Anakin. He unpacked with typical efficiency, not bothering to speak until everything was in its place. It was classic Obi-Wan to take care of his business first and worry about the details later. "What do you think of the Council?" he asked unexpectedly. "I don't trust them," Anakin blurted without having to think much about the answer. "Dajar at least is hiding something from us." "He's not the only one," Obi-Wan agreed, "but he's the only one who forgot to control his body language." "We're meeting three of the candidates tonight," Anakin muttered. "How many others?" "Four," Obi-Wan supplied. "There seems to be a candidate to satisfy every brand of selfishness. Hardly atypical in the realm of politics." He didn't bother to disagree, only reached down to unbuckle his boots and pull the right one off. The amount of walking had rubbed blisters on his heel and he grimaced as he surveyed the damage. "I assume we'll be walking everywhere?" "Unless we have to leave the city, yes," Obi-Wan confirmed, removing his own boots to show that he had a matching blister on the side of his foot. "There are few enough vehicles without us needing to tie up one of them." He didn't like it, mostly because there was nothing he could do to fix something without a repulsorcoil. Also because there would be no such thing as a quick getaway if the need arose. "Like the politics," Obi-Wan said grimly, "we'll just have to get used to it, I suppose." -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Mar17swgirl Registered: Dec '00	Date Posted: 1/5/07 12:02pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 4/?
	Great two new posts, Ish! I really like how you described the culture of Zcehc. The setting is already very intriguing. Your attempt at Czech is rather funny - you could've asked me to help, ya know... But then again, it's Zhehc, so certain differences are understandable. Though, if you want help in the future (and to save time looking at dictionaries - those online ones are totally unreliable anyway), just PM me and I'll translate anything you need. Can't wait for more! -----signature----- "He was caught in Alicante with a sheep." "Flagrante, Chris, in flagrante." "Yeah... flagrante."
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 1/5/07 7:32pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 4/?
	"Once upon a lifetime," Obi-Wan said quietly. Ohh . . . very sad, and well done. Nice Obi-Wan understatement. Will we get a follow-up on this storyline later? I'm interested already. Since his Master was likely to be spending the entire time trying out the few things he knew in Zcehci Yeah, he would. I hope those things are more sensible than the few phrases I learned to string together in Russia: "Where is the sex? Where is the metalheads? I want a big weasel." Try saying that out loud in the customs line at a Soviet airport. No wait--don't. "Of course," Obi-Wan sighed. "Everyone is afraid of partisan attacks before the elections, so no one is particularly eager to leave their homes." Aha . . . a touch of the political drama amid the personal scenes. It makes a good tension-increasing backdrop. "Four," Obi-Wan supplied. "There seems to be a candidate to satisfy every brand of selfishness. Hardly atypical in the realm of politics." You know, the "hardly atypical" thing was exactly what I was thinking when I read the first part of that line. Also because there would be no such thing as a quick getaway if the need arose. Ooh, yeah . . . "All craft prepare to enter lightspeed!" > "RUN AWAYYYYYYY!!!" -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 1/6/07 12:53pm Subject: RE: Pass Through the Darkness--An Obi/Ani adventure, 1 year pre-AOTC--for "The Story Hour", 4/?
	Mar17swgirl--Thanks! Glad you liked the culture. I'm hoping the intriguing setting lends credence to what I'll be doing later. And yes, I could have asked you to help, but you weren't online and I thought it might be amusing to drag all the random useless resources online to my somewhat favor. I'll be consulting you for further help. In the meantime, this post only has terms for people, adapted from certain words. ophelia--We will be getting a follow-up on this story later in a rather unconventional place. LOL, it's like when I first got to Italy and the only things I knew how to say in Italian were lines from an opera I'd been in. Hmm...customs line at a Soviet airport...I'll have to try that some time. Glad the tension-increasing backdrop is working. LOL at the "hardly atypical" thing. A lot of Obi-Wan is reflecting my political cynicism right now and it's funny that it works. Oh, and in terms of the getaway... "ANAKIN! GET US OUT OF HERE! FULL THROTTLE!" "But, Master, our beast of burden is still being milked! You try going full throttle then!" *** Anakin had learned long ago that his Master despised the word 'nap' out of a matter of principle. After all, a nap suggested a release from duty and a shirking of a responsibility. Neither was a possibility for a field Jedi who wanted to succeed in performing the will of the Force to the best of his abilities. Anakin had, however, learned that part of Obi-Wan's skill as a negotiator lay in his talent with euphemisms. He had forbidden the word 'nap' to be spoken between them, but it went without saying that the first meditation after a long flight would always be the equivalent. They just put it in the appropriate dialect. Anakin arose from his 'meditation' some three hours after they had unpacked their things to find that Obi-Wan had already left the room. This wasn't much of a surprise, since Obi-Wan had probably lay in the bed, glowering at the ceiling for a token five minutes before convincing himself that he had urgent business to attend to. Apparently, he had satisfied that need by the time Anakin descended the staircase, since he was looking to be in a better mood. He nodded by way of greeting, but was apparently availing himself of Ilia's hospitality as he had a fruit tart in his mouth. In typical Obi-Wan fashion, he was not letting the good deed go unrewarded and was peeling a khuterin, one of the brown root vegetables that seemed to be in every Zcehc dish. Anakin glanced at the large pile of khuterin and went in search of another peeler. A moment later, Obi-Wan apparently swallowed his snack and decided to open the lines of communication once more. "I trust the meditation was refreshing?" Anakin grinned and wanted to remind his Master that no one around here knew enough Basic to care about their verbal codes, but he bit his tongue all the same. "Very refreshing, Master," he assured Obi-Wan. "I shall have to exercise the same control the next time I am feeling...out of sorts." Obi-Wan let out something close to a snort, but did not argue the point. Instead, he inclined his head towards the opposite side of the kitchen, where the dining table sat. "Ilia left a few things for us to keep in our stomachs until our guests arrive. You'll feel more refreshed if you have some of them." "No argument there," Anakin said eagerly, heading over to find something that would be stimulatingly sweet. The preferred drink of choice for most apprentices was either caf or tisane, but tisane was weak and watered down at the Temple and caf was considered to be a controlled substance that only the Masters should investigate more closely. This did not keep the Padawans from smuggling bags of the stuff into the Temple as it was and a few enterprising sorts simply found an excuse to patrol around the exact time that their caf cravings hit. The only thing that smelled the closest to the engine lubricants that they preferred at the Temple seemed to be a hot, rather viscous grain drink that had been left next to a bowl of sweetener. Anakin immediately headed for that tureen with a sigh of contentment and one of the small mugs that had been left on the sideboard. "I contacted the other candidates," Obi-Wan informed him as he took a satisfying sip of the stuff. "We'll need to see two of them before dinner, but they're all able to meet with us at some point tonight." "Good," Anakin sighed. "When does the first one arrive?" As if on cue, there was a knock at the door and they heard Ilia descend the stairs to answer it. "Any minute now," Obi-Wan replied unnecessarily. *** The first candidate on the list was what Obi-Wan referred to privately as the "dark nerf" candidate. Mava Jiuhra had no real political background, at least not what would count as politics by normal standards. As near as Anakin could tell, she was a "first among equals" in her mountain clan and had administrative experience, but little interaction with the mainstream government. Anakin took a rather immediate liking to her simply because she was more straightforward than half the people he had met today. She obviously had some kind of nobility, but did not draw attention to it. She had a rough kind of beauty with black hair and pale grey eyes set into weather-darkened skin, but her dress was simple and practically cut. All her elegance and commanding presence was dependent on Mava herself rather than how much her wardrobe could impress her constituents. "They leave us alone and we return the favor," she explained. "That is until five years ago when they decided to meddle in our affairs and we spent half our time solving our problems and the other half driving off their militia." "And yet you want to lead the government," Obi-Wan prompted. "How did that come about?" She glowered at no one in particular, but seemed to be choosing her words carefully. She at least had the rare political gifts of discretion and scruples. "It is chiefly a matter of better me than them," she admitted, "but I am a merchant. I am one of the few candidates who has past experience with all the castes of our world. The others will claim the same if they once sold a udoliy slave or if they spent the night with one of the rekai, but I know these people and they will work with me." Obi-Wan nodded. "I've even heard that you may have had contact with the skrytho..." She snorted loudly before he could even finish the word. "Don't believe the fairy tales," she chided. "I may be a mountain woman, but I'm not a fool." "You have not?" She shook her head. "The skrythorai are people from children's tales. Whenever you pass through the mountain ranges, you're expected to invoke their names just on the off-chance that they might be more than a myth, but there has never been proof that any of them exist." "Ah," Obi-Wan said with a slight smile. "Thank you for that explanation." Mava waved a dismissive hand. "You're cisinki," she branded them as off-worlders. "There are many things to learn here without even having to leave the political arena." "We appreciate your understanding," Obi-Wan replied graciously. "Now, in terms of the election..." "I doubt that this will be an easy win," she confessed, "even if I do succeed in my campaign, but the least I can do is make the effort." "We've asked to speak with each of you an effort to make sure that you have every opportunity to make that effort," Obi-Wan agreed. "Have there been any threats towards you?" "Only the typical ones from udoliy fools who want to drive me back to the caves where I was supposedly spawned," Mava sneered. "They are all talk, though." "Do you have a guard?" She hesitated for just a moment and Anakin's brow furrowed, but a moment later, she shook her head. "Only my husband," she supplied. "We tend to take care of ourselves." "Would you object to additional security?" Obi-Wan asked. "For the good of the election," she conceded, "no. I will do whatever is necessary to make sure that this goes well." That seemed to be a moment of closure, since both she and Obi-Wan stood at that moment. He bowed formally, looking satisfied. "We hope it will not come to that," he commented, "but there's no harm in being overly prepared." "Agreed," Mava said shortly. "I will see you tomorrow." Anakin saw her to the door, then returned to find Obi-Wan making a few notes on his datapad. "She seems nice enough," he commented. "Sincere is the word for it," Obi-Wan corrected. "I anticipate little trouble from her, but our Intelligence on the matter suggested nothing less." It still irked him that the entire mission seemed to be shrouded in a kind of secrecy. Obi-Wan was dispensing information 'as needed,' but Anakin couldn't tell what else he was holding back. After all, he hadn't been privy to the planning, had not been given the briefing files... On the cusp of adulthood, he was being treated like a nine-year-old again and he had no idea why. "The next one is Dajar," Obi-Wan continued. "He is the younger brother of our guide today and a career politician already." "Anything else I should know about him?" Anakin asked, fighting to keep his tone level. "Yes," Obi-Wan said without hesitation, sliding a datacard across to him. "He's a tough character and it's your turn to conduct the interview." -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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