Azel tossed and turned in her sleep. She dreams of a planet of lava, she can feel the too hot warmth of it. Small explosions came from the ground, and spurt lava drops at her feet. Azel jumped back in surprise. She stood on a landing platform, a metallic ship sat behind her, and in front of her is a woman. She has dark hair woven into a braid that falls down her back, dark sad eyes, soft features, but most importantly she is pregnant.
A man stood in front of her, he is dressed in all black, has wavy dirty blond hair and his eyes are menacing. The two are speaking, but Azel can't hear a word. He reaches out his hand to the woman, and she begins to gasp for breath.
"No, stop it!" Azel yelled and tried running for them but she is stuck in place. She continued to struggle and yell for them until the woman fell to the ground unconscious, maybe even dead.
Suddenly another person is beside her, Azel is too engrossed staring at the woman on the ground to notice him approach. When she looks over, she is shocked to see Obi-Wan. There he stood, staring at the evil man before them. He removed his cloak, revealing his familiar tan robes. His hair is much much shorter, and his facial hair only encloses his mouth; a sharp jaw-line is revealed from the lack of beard Azel is accustomed to. Most importantly, Obi-Wan looks stronger. His body is slightly larger than she's familiar with, healthier than how she knows him now. He looks older here, and tired. She tried to get his attention but it didn't work. She saw him speak to the other man but still heard nothing. The two men circled one another until Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber, the other man doing the same, and suddenly the two collided their weapons together in an attack.
Azel jolted awake with blue flashing before her eyes. She looked around her to find she is in the ship, not a molten planet.
She kicked the sheets off of her, feeling far too warm for her liking, and stood up. She doesn't know how long she's slept, however it doesn't feel long enough.
Obi-Wan came out just then. He stopped walking when he noticed her standing there.
"Are you alright?" He asked her with a frown. She stared at him, and thought of the Obi-Wan from her dream. She wondered absently if it meant anything, and if maybe it was a vision. Qui-Gon told her that he has been trying to talk to Obi-Wan through dreams. Maybe this was him showing her something from the future. Or maybe it was something from the past?
Or maybe she was just having a ridiculous dream that doesn't mean anything.
Azel nodded, but Obi-Wan appears incredulous.
"We're here," he said to her, ignoring her questionable state. "Gather your things. We won't be back to the ship for awhile."
Azel took a deep breath and then started to do as she was told. "Where are we?" She asked him.
"Coruscant," he answered in monotone.
Azel whipped her head around to stare at him. "Coruscant?" She gasped.
"Yes," Obi-Wan said as he started packing his own belongings into a duffel bag. "Master Yoda is positive the planet hasn't been touched by the Empire, I guess now we will find out for sure."
The two packed their things. Azel took far less time to pack hers as she waited for Obi-Wan to finish packing up his tunics and some weapons. While he was in the weapons closet, she noticed him bend down to pack the mysterious box into his bag.
"What is that?" She couldn't help but ask.
Obi-Wan glanced back at her. "Nothing for you to worry about." He said to her smoothly. Azel tried not to feel disappointed.
Obi-Wan turned to her when he zipped up his duffel bag and flung it over his shoulder. "Ready?"
Azel nodded, and Obi-Wan ushered her out of the ship and onto the platform.
The moment Azel stepped out of the ship, she gaped in awe. All around them stood massive silver and glass skyscrapers that glisten in the setting sun. The buildings reach so high that they look like they could touch the clouds. Over the edge of the landing platform, Azel can just barely see the ground, but she can tell there is movement down there.
There are sky speeders driving to and fro on all different levels of air. Some of the traffic is higher, and some lower, but it's all staying orderly in their invisible lanes.
Azel read briefly about what this planet was like, but she never pictured it as anything this beautiful.
"Azel," Obi-Wan spoke from behind her as he gently touched her arm for her attention. She tore her eyes away from the city and looked at Obi-Wan. "We need get going." He said.
Azel nodded, and he guided her over to a podium where there is a man standing with a holopad. He is older, average-looking and dressed in a standard gray uniform.
"Good evening," he greeted. Azel could see some of his silver hair peaking through his gray cap, and his light eyes are as dull looking as his clothing is. "How long are we housing your ship?" He asks them.
"For the summer season," Obi-Wan replied.
"I'll need a name, your ships ID number, and a signature." The man said in monotone to Obi-Wan. Azel imagines he has to go through this routine multiple times a day.
Obi-Wan glanced at Azel and then to the man. "The name is Arrin," Obi-Wan hoped Azel would catch on.
"Sur name?" He asks without looking up from his device.
"Dameron," Azel filled in. The man typed it into his holopad.
"ID is JS-277591." Obi-Wan continued.
After a moment the man flipped the pad around and handed it to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan handed it to Azel, she took it and placed her finger onto the screen to sign with her print.
"It's her families ship," Obi-Wan said in answer to the mans questioning gaze.
"We will take good care of it," the man said with a forced smile. "Enjoy your stay, you will find the trams two levels below that will take you anywhere in the city."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan answered and began walking down the pathway to the doors, Azel just behind him. Once they were out of earshot, Obi-Wan spoke. "They have my name and prints in the system," he explained. "If there are Empire spies, the first thing they will notice is my ship is logged here."
"And my last name will draw attention," Azel added.
"Yes," Obi-Wan nodded and led them to the glass elevators. Inside Obi-Wan pressed the button for two levels lower.
The doors closed. "Will anyone recognize you?" She asked.
Obi-Wan turned to her, "I'm counting on it," he smiled. It only confused Azel more, but she didn't say a word as they exited the elevator and approached a tram. There are several different ones on this level, but Obi-Wan guided them to the first one on the left just before the doors closed. It began moving. Azel sat next to the window, and Obi-Wan just beside her.
"This city is beautiful," She said to him as she gazed out the window at the passing buildings. The sun is almost set, and the red sky is reflecting of the buildings.
Obi-Wan didn't respond to her. With a frown, she looked over at him to see his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes glued to the floor.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
Obi-Wan jumped slightly, and looked over to her with a tired expression. He tried to smile, but it came out more like a twitch of the lips. "It is a beautiful city." He agreed with her.
That was enough. Azel smiled sadly at him, and placed a hand on his arm to squeeze it reassuringly. Obi-Wan never shared what it was like for him when the Jedi fell. She can only imagine what he must have gone through, and admire the strength it took for him to move on on another planet.
The tram reached its destination outside of the city. When Azel stepped out she realized they are only transferring from a tram to a speeder. They stopped at a small facility that is a speeder shop.
They walked inside the building to find they are the only two around, except for the man behind the desk. He has dark hair, tan skin, and is wearing blue and silver robes that cover his entire body from the neck down.
He looked up when they entered and his eyes lit up greatly.
"Obi-Wan!" He announced and walked up to Obi-Wan with his arms outstretched in joy. His hands poke out from beneath the robes. The fabric showed no gaps between the arms and torso, giving it a wing-like appearance. Azel wondered how he is wearing something that doesn't have typical sleeves, as comfortable as it looks it must be rather confining.
The man gave Obi-Wan a hug, and then pulled back to look at him with a dark expression. "I thought all the Jedi were-"
"Not quite," Obi-Wan cut him off with a tight smile. "And it's important no one else knows we are here." He said sternly.
The man turned to Azel just then, as if only noticing her presence at Obi-Wans mention of we.
He smiled at her. "I am Maxwell," he said and gave her his hand to shake.
"Azelynn," she gave him her name and shook his hand.
"It is my pleasure, Madame Azelynn," he said and kissed her knuckles. "And your secret is safe with me," He said to Azel with a wink. She tried to fight back a blush but to no avail, Obi-Wan tried to ignore his feelings of annoyance at Maxwell for advancing on her. He was always one with the ladies.
Obi-Wan decided they need to get out of there as quickly as possible. "We need a speeder to the farms, you know which one."
Maxwell smiled at him. "You're in luck too. The couple living there is off planet for a few months. They've traveled to Naboo for the summer season."
Obi-Wan smiled at him. "Perfect, we will leave the place exactly as we've found it."
"Come with me," Maxwell said and led them out back. There are rows upon rows of speeders. Maxwell led them to the very last row, and to the very last speeder.
"You kept it," Obi-Wan said happily. There they stood in front of a simple speeder, yellow in color, and rather small. But it should hold the two of them for where they need to go.
"I couldn't sell it, I'm far too sentimental." Maxwell answered.
"I'm very grateful, Maxwell." Obi-Wan said and patted him on the shoulder.
Obi-Wan walked over and dropped his bag in the small back seat. Azel came over and did the same. He jumped into the drivers seat, Azel followed suit in the passenger seat. The space is tight, making them nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. Maxwell tossed him the keys.
"Thank you my friend, and may the Force be with you," Obi-Wan said to him.
"And to you." Maxwell said, looking at Azel the entire time. He winked at her again before the speeder turned around and they drove off.
The sun was setting when they had arrived to the planet, but now it is fully dark. Azel looked up and couldn't find a single star in the sky. The pollution from all the city lights prevented it. However, the moons could be seen rising in the east, illuminating the path in front of them.
Other speeders were passing by, Azel turned in her seat to look at them drive past, and to see the city glowing behind them. It's a breathtaking sight.
When they reached the house, it is unlike anything Azel has ever seen. It is a typical home she's only read about in holobooks, but this one isn't surrounded by farms, or other homes, this one stands alone. The windows are dark, indicating that Maxwell is correct, no one is home.
When Azel got out with her bag and began walking towards the door, she could hear something strange. It sounded like splashing, but louder, heavier. She would've went to investigate but Obi-Wan was already inside. She followed him in, deciding to check it out in the morning.
Inside is cozy, and warm. There is a fireplace off to the right, kitchen to the left, and two rooms in the back. It's small, but enough for them.
"Are you sure it's safe to stay in another persons home?" She questioned, feeling like she is intruding.
"No one will see us, and I'm sure the owners will not mind. They knew what they were doing when they received title to this land." Obi-Wan thought back to the days when the Jedi were once alive and grand. This particular house, as well as a few others, was what could be described as a halfway home. The Force Sensitives who got rejected by the Jedi were sent here until housing and job accommodations could be made.
"We won't be here long enough to see their return." He added.
"Someone is confident in my abilities." Azel mumbled with a cocky grin.
"Only some of your training will be completed here." He informed her, ignoring her snark. "The rest will be completed elsewhere."
"Why?" She asked with a frown.
"It's better to keep on the move," Obi-Wan said. Azel didn't question it given their recent exposure to the Empire. "Coruscant is the ideal location for all of your training, given the way the Force flows here. However, we have to settle with just some of it.
"Make yourself comfortable, and get some rest. Tomorrow we start your training." Obi-Wan said as he made his way to one of the rooms. He closed the door behind him, leaving Azel alone in the open space. With a sigh, she went to the second bedroom and made herself acquainted.
It's simply decorated, with a single bed in the corner, a dresser, and a desk. There is a framed painting of the ocean hanging above the bed, and a holopad on the desk. Azel set her bag on the floor and shut her door. She undressed to a comfortable level and climbed into bed.
She laid there, in the unfamiliar bed and willed herself to sleep but it was no use. She slept for a bit on the ship, but it was restless given the nightmare she had. This is the first time she may get a comfortable nights sleep, and now she can't sleep at all.
She stared at the ceiling, thinking about the strange planet they are on. She's only ever dreamed of visiting this place. When she did, she thought her brother would be by her side. How wrong she was. Now here she is, training to be a Jedi in a world where her brother killed all but two.
She laid awake with those dark thoughts for what felt like hours until, finally, she felt herself drift into a dreamless, deep sleep.
--
Azel woke up the following morning to an empty house. There was a holonote left on the counter that had to be from Obi-Wan.
Left for food, be back soon. Do not leave.
Azel sighed. Where could I possibly go? She thought to herself.
Azel looked up and observed the sunlight streaming in through the windows. She wondered briefly if Obi-Wan meant for her to not go outside. But as quickly as she had the thought, she decided she didn't care and went out the door.
The moment she stepped outside she realized how fresh the air is. It's clean and wet, unlike the dry and dirty planet she grew up on. Far out to her left there is an abundance of trees. Azel could see the leaves dancing in the wind.
She stepped across the short patio and down the two steps to reach the grass. The green matches that of the tree leaves, and Azel smiled. She has never seen so much green before, not even in holobooks.
Looking to the right, Azel noticed that the grass cut off abruptly, indicating she is on a cliff. She then noticed that whatever is below the cliff is blue, and making that bizarre sound she heard the previous night.
The realization came quickly.
Azel took off in a sprint towards the cliffs edge. She stopped, and stared at the vast ocean before her, and then looked down to see the waves crashing against the ragged rocks. It is unlike anything Azel has ever seen before. She can not believe that she is staring at an ocean, and standing on grass. It's hard to believe she is really here.
Azel smiled widely, and inhaled deeply. She took in the unfamiliar scents that she didn't notice at the door of her temporary home. It's salty and distinct. She read somewhere about this, and that the unfamiliar smell is what people have described as the scent of seaweed and fish.
The cool wind brushed her body again and it felt wonderful. Every so often the mist from the ocean kissed her skin. Her loose hair danced around her face and tickled her cheeks and neck.
Azel turned around when she heard the hum of a speeder approach. She saw Obi-Wan climb out with two large bags, and go inside. He didn't seem to notice Azel standing not too far away. She smirked to herself, and was about to go help when she noticed the city in the distance. The day is clear, and the city is beautiful up against the blue sky. The skyscrapers are silver and shining. Ships could be seen flying up into the atmosphere and out of sight. Azel sighed, she's never felt more content.
Content. Peaceful. The words sound familiar. She's never felt them before now, except for once...
When Azel reached the speeder, she found only one bag is left. She grabbed it and brought it inside. Obi-Wan is putting away what he already carried in, and he smiled when he saw her walk in.
"Hello," He said to her. A soft smile on his face, one Azel isn't sure she's ever seen before. It's warm, inviting, and makes her heart do a small leap. She couldn't help but smile back.
"Hello," She replied and placed the groceries on the counter next to the others. She joined him in the task by unloading the bags and handing him the items to put away.
"That story you told me on the ship going to Ryturn," She began, handing him a bottle of something she's never seen before. Azel is suddenly too curious about her latest realization. Obi-Wan looked at her expectantly. "You were talking about here weren't you? And not just Coruscant, but this particular location."
Obi-Wan smiled again, but this one is different. It took that smile for Azel to start noticing that Obi-Wan has different smiles. This one was subtle, barely there, but expressed an emotion one feels when getting caught. "What gave it away?" He asked, putting the item in the fridge.
"Outside did," She answered. "It's exactly as you described, and more."
"Coruscant is an incredible place." He said to her in way of confirmation. She handed him another item and he placed it in the fridge. "I'm glad it isn't what I expected it to be, and that I could bring you here."
As Azel handed him the final item, she caught him off guard when she said, "Me too."
She smiled at him, her light eyes glistening in the sunshine coming through the window. Obi-Wan smiled back nervously and cleared his throat, breaking their eye contact. He took the item from her and placed it in the fridge.
"Right," He said, trying to change the subject so he wouldn't think of her eyes any longer. "Come outside with me," He told her.
Azel followed him outside. "What are we doing?"
Obi-Wan turned to her. "Sit down," He instructed her, and she did. Immediately Azel played with the grass below her in wonder. She didn't get the chance to touch it earlier. It feels a little itchy, the tips are prickly but the strands are smooth. She smiled absently as she ran her fingers through it.
Obi-Wan sat down in front of her, and she looked up at him. "First, I'm going to teach you to meditate."
Azel raised her eyebrows in disbelief, and a little disappointment. "That's it?" She pouted without intending to.
"Yes," He laughed gently at her. "It will help you in your other training."
Azel sighed, and pulled her hand from the grass so she can focus. "Alright," She said and waited for Obi-Wan to begin.
"The trick is to center your breathing. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth,"
She did as she was told.
"Good. Now, think only about your breathing. Let everything else leave your mind, and center yourself on each inhale and exhale."
She did exactly that. Obi-Wan is surprised at how easily it came to her. He could feel her relax as she breathed, her Force flowed peacefully from her. He never felt her so calm.
Training Azelynn might be much easier than he anticipated.
"Now, I need you to channel the Force. It's the energy you feel within you, focus on it."
Azelynn tried, he could see her brows furrow in concentration. Her calmness started to waver.
"Just as you centered your breathing, center it on your energy," He encouraged.
They sat there for a few minutes. Azel wavered between calm and frustration, Obi-Wan observed patiently.
Finally, Azel let out a huff and opened her eyes. "I can't do it," she said in defeat. Obi-Wan smiled at her gently. It reminded him of his old padawan. Quite a few things did that to him since meeting her, but at least now he understands why.
"I wouldn't expect you to get it on the first try, however you made it further than most have." He admitted, thinking back to days at the temple.
"So now what?" Azel asked him.
"We will keep trying until you get it," he said to her. "You need to know how to channel and center the Force before we can continue with different lessons."
Azel scoffed. "That could take weeks!"
Obi-Wan doubted that, and he has a feeling Azel doubts that as well, but he smiled at her. His next words are said by the Jedi Master within him. "Patience, Azelynn. It will come to you."
--
Turns out, it didn't take weeks at all. It took Azel three days to conquer simple meditation, it took another day to build a wall in her mind. Obi-Wan felt no greater relief at the silence in the Force that replaced it. He is still very aware of her Force Signature, simply because he knows she is there, but it's no longer prominent enough to warrant headaches or unwanted attention.
In the following weeks, Obi-Wan taught her how to channel the Force. It started with simple mental exercises like projecting her energy towards Obi-Wan without dropping her shield, and then progressed to lifting objects through the Force.
Azel learned quickly. Obi-Wan is incredibly impressed with the progress she has made. Even Anakin didn't learn as fast as his sister. Then again, Azel has slightly more control over her emotions and far more patience than Anakin ever did.
Obi-Wan has no intention of spending almost a lifetime with Azel in training, like normal Master and Padawan did. Her training is meant to be kept short and with the basics. As a child, one spends most of the young days learning meditation, and attending school. At ten, the child learns hand-to-hand combat, then at thirteen they build their own lightsaber and learn sparring. After that it's real missions with their Master.
Azel gets to skip most of that.
Given her speed, patience, and motivation, she is ahead of the schedule that Obi-Wan predicted for her. It's pleasantly unexpected, but also concerning Obi-Wan.
Azel still speaks of finding her mother. The occasional conversation will bring up a memory Azel has of her and she will tell him about it. A forlorn expression etches her features every time, and then she tells him that he would like her and can't wait for them to meet.
Obi-Wan feels nauseous every time. How is he ever going to tell her that her mother is dead? How will she ever find it in her to forgive him afterwards? Obi-Wan doesn't think any amount of meditation could warrant her to forgive him. Even if she does, what will happen to them? Master Yoda wants her to train as a Jedi because he senses good out of it. That could mean balance within the Force, destruction of the Empire, or something else entirely. Will she even follow through knowing they manipulated her into training?
So many thoughts and doubts cross Obi-Wans mind every day. There is only so much meditation can do.
Today Obi-Wan is going to teach Azel some hand-to-hand combat. Hopefully this training will help clear his mind.
"Good morning," Azel announced to Obi-Wan. She waltzed into the kitchen and snatched an apple from the basket on the counter.
"Morning," Obi-Wan greeted from his position at the dining table. He is reading the daily Coruscant news on the holopad.
"So, what will it be today?" She asked and took a bite out of the apple with a juicy crunch.
Obi-Wan set down the holopad and looked up at her. She looks as she does everyday. Tatooine tunics, dirty blonde hair, eyes as blue as the sea. It's all so familiar to him now with working so close to her. Sometimes he sees some of Anakin in her; that extremely minor aggravation at not getting something right away, her sincere compassion for her mother, the fiery determination within her. Obi-Wan can even sense it in her Force signature sometimes, how oddly comfortable it feels like times when he was connected to a bond that's very identical.
Right now, he sees some of him again. It's that expectant glint he got when something new or exciting is about to happen. It's the same one Azel is wearing now. Her blue eyes are alight with the hopes of something new, something uncharted, and something exciting. She took another bite of the apple.
"Combat training," Obi-Wan blurted out.
"With lightsabers?" She asked hopefully and a bit loudly.
Obi-Wan couldn't help the chuckle. "Not quite," He said and watched her expression fall a bit. "Hand-to-hand training first."
Azel frowned. "You realize I almost kicked the kriff out of you when you followed me to the space port not too long ago?" She questioned him, remembering the day he came to her to offer his help.
Obi-Wan sighed. "You did not, and yes I am aware you have experience in combat." He informed her.
"So why?" She asked, more curious than anything else.
"There is always much more to learn." He told her.
Azel seemed to contemplate this like she is deciding if his reason is valid. The result is indifferent. "Alright," She shrugged absently.
Another bite and the apple was in the garbage. "Meditate together?" She asked him when she reached the door.
"Wouldn't miss it," He said and stood up. "I'll be out in a moment."
"Okay," She said. Obi-wan didn't move until the door was closed behind her.
He pulled out his comlink. Obi-Wan has been keeping an eye on it since he handed the other one to Arrin. Everyday he checks to see if there are any new messages. Each time there are none, and each time Obi-Wan gives Arrin a call.
Each time there is no answer.
Obi-Wan tries to think of logical explanations as to why that is. He always comes up short.
He has kept Azel busy enough that she hasn't had much time to talk about it. Honestly, he is very surprised she hasn't asked, but also relieved. Obi-Wan doesn't know what he would tell her. He doesn't need her to panic and think they have to go on another manhunt for Arrin and Han, especially if nothing is really wrong. She has one focus right now, and that is to complete her training.
Until then, Obi-Wan will worry about everything else. That includes the stress of not hearing from Arrin and Han.
Unsurprisingly, the comlink has no new messages. Obi-Wan sighed and closed his eyes. It really has been a long time since they last spoken. The weight of the potential reality sets in as each day passes without word.
Obi-Wan follows his routine though, and leaves a message for the other com.
"It's Ben, just checking in. Again. Please contact me as soon as you receive this. I, we, hope everything is alright."
He ended the message and hit send.
Obi-Wan pocketed his device, rubbed a hand down his face, and went outside to find Azel.
He expects to find her sitting cross legged in the grass, like every morning. Instead he finds her standing with a smile on her face and a certain speeder dealer in front of her.
"Maxwell," Obi-Wan greets with a frown and approaches the two. "What a surprise." He says politely. And not a pleasant one, he refrains from mumbling.
"Obi-Wan," he says with a wide smile and a pat on the shoulder. "I was just coming to check in." He states.
Obi-Wan smiled politely. "All is well here," he says. "We are actually ahead of schedule."
At this, Azel rose her eyebrows and eyed him curiously. Obi-Wan never shared that piece of information with her. Not that he was hiding it from her, he planned to tell her but hadn't found the chance.
"Ah well then it shouldn't be a problem if I take Miss Azelynn out this evening," He turned to her then. "I'd love to show you around the city."
Azel blushed harder than Obi-Wan has ever seen before. It was always enduring to him, but suddenly it made him sick to his stomach. Obi-Wan tries to ignore it, and tries to silence the voice in his mind saying it's because you didn't put it there.
Azel glanced over to Obi-Wan, for what exactly? Approval? Permission? The notion seems ridiculous, but given their objective it only seems reasonable that she looks to him. However completely unnecessary. Azel is going to do whatever she wants no matter what anyone says.
"Okay," She says to Maxwell. Obi-Wan pushes aside the protesting voice in his head.
"Great," Maxwell says enthusiastically. "I'll pick you up at sunset." He said to her with a smirk on his lips. Obi-Wan wanted to punch it right off.
"Okay," Azel said again as he walked back to his speeder and drove off.
Obi-Wan released a sigh, and Azel turned towards him with a smile on her face.
"Date night, then?" He commented awkwardly.
"I've never been on a date before," She informed him shyly.
"Never?" He asked in sincere surprise. A girl like her never on a date? "Not even with Arrin?"
Obi-Wan internally kicked himself for bringing up Arrin, but his astonishment got the better of him. Luckily, Azel didn't seem phased by the mention of her best friend.
She scoffed, "No way. I thought that would have been obvious to you by now."
Obi-Wan shrugged. "Just hard to believe is all."
"Why's that?" She asked, eyeing him curiously.
Now it is Obi-Wan who is blushing. "No reason. Shall we get on with meditation?" He asked and took a seat in their usual meditation positions. He hopes Azel will just play along and not probe him about his statement.
Much to his relief, Azel sat down in front of him.
Azel meditated peacefully. However, Obi-Wan couldn't seem to focus. His mind kept replaying the scene he had just witnessed.
It's not like there is anything wrong with it, right? Obi-Wan can't seem to think the Jedi code applies much anymore. Unfortunately, he didn't have much time to think about this, and how he is suppose to train Azel.
He should be setting real rules, or guidelines to follow. Things like no attachments. No attachments keep you and everyone else protected.
Except Azel is old enough to have learned about attachments, so it's not just a switch she can flip. Besides, if she is anything like her brother then maybe she can't.
If she is anything like him, then perhaps Obi-Wan should go about a different method of training. He can't fail her like he failed her brother. If he wants to avoid what happened before, then maybe he should go about things differently.
He will let her have this date. He decided this the moment she stated she's never been on one.
So why does he have this nagging feeling that it's wrong? Her leaving him to go out with Maxwell feels incredibly wrong. Perhaps it's because of what they have been through. They have been inseparable since Tatooine. Obi-Wan never had this separation issue with Anakin or even Qui-Gon, what makes Azel so different?
Obi-Wan wonders if the Force is telling him the date is a bad idea--or it's guilt for not sticking with the code.
Or maybe it's something else entirely.
Obi-Wan tries not to think about it. He peeks one eye open to look at Azel. Her back is straight, eyes closed and face relaxed. The exact position that Obi-Wan taught her for meditation. The sunlight is washing over her skin in a yellow hue, her hair blows softly in the gentle wind. A strand gets caught between her lips. Obi-Wan has the desire to brush it out of the way. This thought made him pause. Only a second later did a realization hit him like a Force push into a cold wall.
He is jealous.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is jealous.
Oh by the force, he thinks. I'm in trouble.