sithkabobed | IC CONTACT

Obi-Wan had a headache forming before all of this. Whether it was due to the fact that he was getting ill or from the stress of certain events, it's not really clear. Probably both really. Qui-Gon's demanding tone though was not helping.

Lifting glassy eyes to look at his master, the younger man paused. Looking about to speak, he was cut off by another sneeze and a small coughing fit. But during that, it occurred to him that he had not told anyone where he had been and what he was doing. Considering the circumstances, that probably hadn't been the best idea. Even if he is an adult and able to handle himself.

"With Anakin..." he then finally got out, having to clear his throat as that came out a little raspy.

"Forgive me, I should have sent word."

He wasn't surprised to hear that Obi-Wan had found Anakin so soon after his attacking Ezra, but that didn't do much to offset the stirrings of anxiety deep within his gut. Contrary to their brightened surroundings, Qui-Gon could feel the air around him chill.

So much for the not literal thing.

For a brief moment, his breath clouded in front of his mouth before he tempered his emotion. It didn't disappear entirely, but he didn't push for any more. That would only lead to a frustrating internal conflict and make things worse.

With a heartfelt thanks to that fateful encounter with Darth Maul on Naboo, Qui-Gon never had the chance to fully process or experience Obi-Wan's transition from Padawan to Knight, let alone to a fellow Jedi Master. With this conversation alone, he felt himself falling into old habits. Comfortable habits. Habits that came about in a time when everything was so much more simple in retrospect. In that moment Obi-Wan was his apprentice once again--an apprentice who needed some hot tea and a stern discussion about hanging with the wrong crowd. As such, the apology was met with a deft nod and nothing else. Qui-Gon had other things on his mind.

"Kitchen. Now."

Without waiting for a positive or negative word from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon turned on his heel and started walking.

They had a lot to talk about and a cold to take care of.

Over the years after Qui-Gon's death, he had often reflected on what his master would have done or what sort of advice he would have for this situation or that. Reflecting on the guidance he had been given. He had missed him. Now he didn't have to wonder. Having Qui-Gon around brought back the man he admired and that source of guidance. As well as the trials that came with it.

And here he was feeling like a Padawan again. Despite being over a decade older, having grown a beard, becoming a master, and being on the leading Jedi council. But despite any ego he might have, it was overshadowed by his upmost respect for the man who had taught him.

"Yes, master," he said quietly and shuffled himself into the kitchen. Being greeted by Satine on the way with a concerned mewl.

The light dimmed again and the colors went back to normal, knowing full well that Qui-Gon was displeased if not knowing the full cause.

As much as Qui-Gon tried to tell himself he wasn't angry, just concerned, it would've been an exercise in the futile to even suggest otherwise. It wasn't as if he was angry at Obi-Wan, either. He couldn't be when the younger man didn't do anything inherently wrong. However, he still couldn't calm that irritability coursing through his veins. While he searched through his cupboards, looking for the appropriate pots, tea leaves, and honey, Qui-Gon took a moment to suck in a deep breath, calm his mind, and acknowledge his emotions.

He gestured with an arm for Obi-Wan to sit in a chair at the nearby table while he finished collecting his thoughts and words.

"I'm assuming you know that Anakin attacked Ezra yesterday. He'll need time to recover fully."

His tone remained quiet, but it lost its edge despite his message's content while Qui-Gon kept himself under control.

Obi-Wan watched his master in silence, his hopefulness from earlier fading and being replaced with underlying tension. Had he done something wrong? Surely he wasn't this upset for not having contacted him. After all, there was nothing to prevent Qui-Gon from contacting him if necessary. The mention of Ezra though drew a nod.

"Yes, Leia informed me. It's why I went after Anakin."

He had assumed that everything was under control with Ezra since she had informed him. He certainly felt bad that the boy had been injured, but glad that he was still living. Shifting in his seat, the younger Jedi sniffled and sighed.

"Are you angry with me, Master?"

Might as well get it in the open.

"No, Obi-Wan. I'm not angry with you."

The answer came quick thanks to the truth and sincerity that carried it. No, it wasn't Obi-Wan he was angry with. The frustration and irritation bubbling underneath Qui-Gon's surface wasn't because of his former Padawan, even if his worry about Obi-Wan's safety had a hand in exasperating it. A lot more soul searching was necessary for him to find the true source, although he had some sort of idea.

And he didn't like it much.

Qui-Gon fell quiet as he poured some water into a pot and began to heat it, his back still turned to his protégé.

In Obi-Wan's younger years, Qui-Gon found difficulty in being open with him. As he grew up and Qui-Gon learned the importance of communication, he opened up more, but there was still a lingering hint of that trouble. Chalk it up to another facet of being a naturally private man. A naturally private man who had his own fair share of self-reflection to do over the next few days. Almost as if to practice, he took a few seconds of silence himself before he continued to speak, the words passing through his lips with no small amount of reluctance. But he had to--and always would--trust Obi-Wan.

"I also spoke with Leia. I told her that I would do what I must to bring Anakin under control."

Well that was a relief he supposed, though it didn't make it any clearer why his master was upset. It was all too obvious that he was, and despite those habits it was worrisome. Thus he just stared at Qui-Gon's back in silence for several long moments.

Hearing those next words though caused a sudden spike in concern.

"What do you intend to do?"

While keeping his voice level and calm, it wouldn't be surprising if Qui-Gon caught the worry that was present as well.

Edited 2016-12-27 02:30 (UTC)

"Whatever I must."

The response sounded too glib, even for Qui-Gon. So he sighed and turned his head just enough so he could catch Obi-Wan's eye. The slowly heating water on the stove didn't require his attention at the moment, anyway.

"I'd rather not hurt him," Qui-Gon began, the 'or worse' implied, "but Anakin has proven himself dangerous already."

Just as the Council said he would.

Qui-Gon's expression darkened momentarily before he continued and the flame beneath the water dimmed, if only for a split second.

"The fact that he allowed you to return without harm shows some promise, at least."

That grim statement was the same he had given Anakin before their duel on Mustafar. There's no mistaking the grimace on Obi-Wan's face at that thought.

"We talked," Obi-Wan said, confirming that no violence had taken place.

"He was alone, and I stayed with him. We spoke of the things he has done and will do, and the consequences."

He take a moment to cough a little and clear his throat before continuing.

"I think I understand now, as does he. He is not so much of a threat now."

"That remains to be seen."

Funny how he'd used that same reasoning to defend Anakin only months (years for Obi-Wan) before. Now he was using it against the young man who he'd placed so much faith and trust in. He'd heard about the Sith Lord Anakin would grow into before from those who lived in the future he created, but he still fought for him. Qui-Gon wanted nothing more than to prove Anakin's worth. It felt like a betrayal.

And that was getting closer to the heart of what was bothering Qui-Gon.

"If he is unstable in any way, someone else could get hurt. You know this just as much as I."

"And that's why I still haven't returned his lightsaber."

He knew that all too well. However, he had seen a marked change in Anakin. Obi-Wan had not given up hope, as he had done so readily on Mustafar. No, this time he intended to give his former Padawan every opportunity to turn around.

"I can't give up on him, not this time, Master."

Qui-Gon eyed the water, spying tiny bubbles rising to the surface. He sprinkled some dried, green leaves into a teapot and poured the just-starting-to-steam liquid over them, covering the ceramic with its tiny lid. The earthy scent immediately permeated the air, and normally it was a moment Qui-Gon would savor, but the subject matter didn't allow for it.

"If you believe him redeemable, then I will not get in your way."

Mostly because he trusts Obi-Wan, but in no small part because he wants to believe in it, despite the doubts casting a shadow on his judgment.

"But I also can't allow him to cause any more harm. Even without his lightsaber, Anakin nearly killed Ezra. The boy would have died from his injuries had I not found him when I did."

Obi-Wan sighed quietly and gave a slow nod.

"I know."

It's said with every ounce of regret he could muster. He felt largely responsible for Ezra getting hurt.

"As a Jedi and an Enforcer, I can't turn a blind eye to it either. However, I do believe he is redeemable. He is making progress, but there are still no guarantees. However, I can not, and will not watch Anakin go through the same punishment that Kylo Ren had. Nor will I kill him."

Those last two statements are spoken firmly, and yet it's obvious the man is torn between a sense of duty and a loyalty to his greatest friend.

"If Anakin keeps himself in line, then you won't have to make a decision either way."

The soft spot Obi-Wan carried for the Skywalkers only cemented what Qui-Gon always believed about the younger man and his open, sentimental heart. Sure, Qui-Gon had done his part in cultivating his compassion, but at his very core, Obi-Wan already harbored enough empathy to not need the Jedi Master's input.

That just makes his next words all the harder to say.

"In the event that he can't, then consider yourself relieved of that burden. I'll handle it."

Obi-Wan was silent for a few moments as he weighed his master's words. His brow furrowing slightly as he stared at the man who had taught him. And was that a little bit of that old defiance showing in those glassy eyes?

"No, I can't accept that."

He took a moment to cough before continuing.

"What good would possibly come from ending his life? Death here is not permanent. Do you intend to strike him down every time he comes back?"

"I intend on striking him down every time he puts another individual is in danger, Master Kenobi."

Qui-Gon's retort came out a bit (a lot) snippier than he wanted, but the fact that he'd meant to throw some less-than-friendly sass in there in the first place spoke volumes on how he felt about the situation. Sarcasm, no matter how dilute, was never meant to be a tool for anything less than invective intent. The use of Obi-Wan's title instead of his name drew familial distance between the two, in turn.

"If he is no danger to anyone else, as you've said, then your objections won't be necessary."

And that wasn't lost on Obi-Wan in the slightest. The younger Jedi's expression hardening.

"And what will that accomplish other than some vain attempt to relieve yourself of your own guilt?"

Oh yes, he had noticed. His master being the hypocrite. Telling Obi-Wan to let go of his own guilt but not doing the same for himself. And on top of it all, willing to resolve it through needless violence.

"If you intend to kill him, Master Jinn, then you will have to kill me as well."

And with that, Obi-Wan rose to his feet and dragged his sorry self to his room. He was done with this conversation.

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