{ Paying the Ferryman } - OWK reflects in life after death - One post

[ x. P a y i n g T h e F e r r y m a n .x ]
By: TheFallen

Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi reflects on living after someone forgets to pay the ferryman.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the sort.
Author?s Notes: This plot bunny nibbled little by little ? I hope it?s coherent and well written enough.
Timeframe: Obi-Wan is post-mortem ? shortly after ?A New Hope?.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to a few people, actually. The wonderful CalaisKenobi, who betas and conquers in all fields. The simply good little apprentice Jess, for without her I?d be insane. And entirely to the magnificent, the divine, the chaotic ? Sister Mary. I?d be lost without you guys.

---

[i]?Why do I get the feeling that some day you?ll be the death of me??[/i]

The Force, it seems, is not without its own twisted sense of malicious irony. It was not until now that, in the midst of remembering and twisting the blade of regret into my chest, that the words were thrown back into my face with the sharp pang of a whip. I had said the words so long ago, and yet now it seemed as though my lips were just now relaxing from speaking.

How much would I give? How much would any of us give to know then what we know now ? to know what fate had waiting in the wings for you and have the power to change it? In my time of this eternal silence, I find myself thinking of what cost I would pay for the all of the yesterdays. It seems that I would give almost any price to hold them all in the palm of my hand and be able to pick through them ? perhaps find where it all went wrong so that I could change all this.

I?ve not known a body since I vaguely felt the blade of Darth Vader cut into my side. I scarcely felt it, as I entered the limbo that would most likely keep me for eternity. I knew that I was not leaving the duel alive ? and I had every intention of performing this vanishing act when it became necessary. I had more to do than my body ? worn and ragged at the edges, as much as I was reluctant to admit ? would permit me. My body had served its purpose, but simply becoming ?one? with the Force was not going to be enough to end this crusade that my debt of guilt has pinned me to.

And so this is the price that I will pay, and continue to pay, as long as it is needed. I will stay here and guide this young Luke towards his destiny and my salvation, forsaking myself possibly forever of meeting the friends and colleagues I once knew. Like so many times, I will be left behind as others before me will go, though this time it is voluntary.

In many ways, being here is almost like my hut on the floating grain of sand. I?ve had to stay, while the loved before me have gone on. I know that I still have a little more to do? but just for a short moment I?d like to talk to Yoda, perhaps. Master Windu would surely give me one more short lesson and a nod to help me on this last mile of travel.

I sometimes fool myself into believing that Qui-Gon Jinn wouldn?t be the first person I would call on. It?s only for a brief moment, but what is brief in this place? I haven?t learned. It could be years. When you have eternity, the years pass like sand through your fist. The last thing I need, though, is a simple metaphor relating to sand. Decades of actually feeling the sand sifting through one?s hands while you angrily pummel it with your fists can give you an ingrained phobia of sorts.

Though I have not spoken to him, except for in my desolate mind, for over four decades, I can still remember all of the practiced conversations that we would have once I met him. He would smile and I would finally look at him as my equal ? something I always dreamed of as a padawan but had never achieved. Afterwards, we?d launch into a long discussion on the philosophies of some topic they were discussing in the Senate like we used to have until the rays of the sun glittered off of the forest of metal surrounding the Temple. When we finally met again, it would be as though nothing had happened. As though I hadn?t heard the stabbing words in my mind for days at a time.

But afte

 

*revives Bekka * *HUGS!!!*

 

I LOVE IT!!! *jumps on CK and Bekka*

 

* Gets mauled * Thank you both! I actually... ... worked on this one. Now up up up!

 

That was strange and depressing.

But I commend you on your writing skill. And it makes sense this time, with the whole thing written!

Good job.

 

Not USUALLY one for Obi-pity tales as they turn out to be, but this one was wonderful!

*methinks in my heart of hearts that at the VERY end, Anakin himself would be the one who put the 'coins' in his hand of memeory...*

Bravo...

 

The title seemed to draw me in and I'm so glad it did.

Brilliant TheFallen! I couldn't help but tear up at young Obi putting the coins in the Scion's hand at the furneral.

I will eagerly be keeping an eye out for your stuff! Fantastic!

 

Brilliant!! Simply brilliant!!

 

This. Is. Depressing.

But very good! I like the title too.

 

Obaona - That was strange and depressing. - You expected something else from me? Thank you very much, oba. Fellow handmaidens unite!

DarthBreezy - *methinks in my heart of hearts that at the VERY end, Anakin himself would be the one who put the 'coins' in his hand of memeory...* - Aah, a girl after my own heart. I think the same thing, but I didn't go that far.

mouse2 - Thank you! You're a wonderful reviewer and it's always great to hear that I have a potential stalker! It makes me feel warm and tingly.

Arwen-Jade_Kenobi - Brilliant!! Simply brilliant!! - Why thank you! * Passes out from happiness *

JediClare - I got the inspiration for the story from the title. I have a bad habit of thinking of a title and THEN writing the story.

Thank you all for your replies! You're WONDERFUL and most of you know how addicting feedback is. Speaking of which - any more lurkers?


THEFALLEN

 

And up it goes...

 

One last up?

 

*blinks, completely blown away*

Wow. Wow! That was incredible. The imagery, the language, everything. Impressive, most impressive.

Great job!

 

Another excellent addition to the genre of post-Ep III Kenobi.

Fallen, you have just created the demand for sequels, you do realize that.

Just how do you see the coins paid? What dialogue, if any, would you see between Kenobi and his former apprentice?

Backing up, what about Kenobi's thoughts inbetween Luke's encounters with Anakin?

Falls walks off whistling while the plot bunnies hatch.

 

Playing catch-up and WOW! Bekka, what a tale! It was lovely - depressing and sobering for very personal reasons - but just beautiful!

 

Oh, look here. I found another story

Sad, sad. Poor... err... why don't you just kill him already! Oops, he's already dead. Oh well.

Only you can write stories so deppresing yet so great

 

Umm....I don't know ....it's not that great...it seems...stupid


Just kidding Bekka!!! I loved it! You always seem to find the best way to tie two things together! Even Greek Mythology and Star Wars! Your great Bekka! I love all your stories!

 

very depressing. My kind of story!!!!! love it.

 

?Why do I get the feeling that some day you?ll be the death of me??

The Force, it seems, is not without its own twisted sense of malicious irony.

Absolutely awesome. Great job!

~Rogue

 

* Is still in shock * I'm so happy that so many of you liked this! I actually WORKED on this one and I like to think I did a really good just. So thank you all for taking the time for replying!

And lurkers - shame on you!


THEFALLEN

 

*bows* Bekka, I'm not worthy!

That was brilliant!! Fantastic! BRAVO!

wow... so... depressing... That's a compliment...


-sheleigh

 

Empress Amsie had a photo of a sailor
Whose apparel was nothin but an Orange barrel
Emmi did hate it
She said something about it
And now she wishes she hadn't

 

That was a naughty, naughty limerick, Emmi.


THEFALLEN

 

It's NOT MY FAULT! *points at Su* SHE MADE ME DO IT!

(Your YJCC thread is becoming quite popular.)

 

Oh my...the internal dialogue in that story was sensational. Very well done! And you're only fifteen. Funny how it seems that some of the best writers on these boards are the younger ones.

I'm glad you posted this in the index, otherwise I would have missed it. Keep up the good work!

~*Senoj*~