FOURTEEN.
— ☬ —
THE MYSTERIOUS DART
After a good nights sleep, Obi-Wan and I were left alone during our search for the bounty hunter. Of course, that's when all the real problems began to start. Not the kind of problems where our lives were in danger, but the kind of problems where one of us might kill the other. It was like as soon as everyone left, every little thing we did set the other one on edge. He was a completely different person, a total asshole. After about twenty minutes with him, I was ready to stick my lightsaber straight into his chest.
"We are going to the Jedi Temple Analysis Room," Obi-Wan said in a stern tone through gritted teeth while I simply rolled my eyes and let out another annoyed groan, which seemed to be all I had really done for the last hour or so.
"And I'm telling you, they aren't going to find anything," I replied back bitterly while he just scrunched his nose at me and continued to stomp on determined feet throughout the temple.
"What makes you so sure they won't find anything," Obi-Wan said with major sass on so as he made sure to stretch the word out enormously with a scrunched up face.
My fists were clenched and I was breathing heavily through my nose while I tried with all my might to keep from screaming at him in front of the entire planet. "Because," I said through gritted teeth, clearly irritated with him. "You saw the bounty hunter. Have you ever seen a bounty hunter or a dart such as this?" When Obi-Wan sent me a look that I knew meant he had no clue, I smirked with success. "Precisely. Which means neither the bounty hunter or the dart is going to be properly known or researched. In conclusion, the analysis is just going to me a waste of time."
Obi-Wan then lets out a long breath before stopping in his tracks as he got close to my face. "Look, we are going there whether you like it or not," he sneered.
"No need to say that so sassily," I snapped back before he then smirked cockily at me.
"Who's the Jedi Master and who's the Padawan again?" He then questioned me proudly before then continuing to march through the temple towards the Analysis Room while I rolled my eyes for what seemed like the thousandth time at him.
"You're not my Master," I muttered to myself in a heated manner before begrudgingly following him to the Analysis Room. He was seriously becoming dangerously close to the same level that I viewed Master Windu, and let's just say Master Windu is one spot above Darth Maul and Sebulba.
Once we arrived at the Analysis Room, a room that somewhat always reminded me of a doctor's office, Obi-Wan sat down in the only chair available while I had to stand next to him. The room was a bright white color and arranged so that each chair had a computer, a few controls, a panel, and a wide window that allowed droids to come up to you and discus what you needed. Obi-Wan had only been sitting for maybe a couple of seconds before a droid came up to the window to assist us.
"Place the subject for analysis on the sensor tray please," the droid instructed in the all too familiar mechanical hum and Obi-Wan simply did as he was told. He took out the dart from the bounty hunter, which he had kept a hold of since the couple of nights before, and placed it on the panel that was then sucked through the window before the droid was able to grab it.
"It's a toxic dart," Obi-Wan started to explain while the droid then observed the dart. "I need to know where it came from and who made it."
"One moment please," the droid then requested before it motioned another droid over who took the dart and then carried it to a hidden section behind the window.
While we waited, I leaned up against the wall with a long sigh and my arms crossed while Obi-Wan literally started moving the chair from side to side like a freaking child. I would expect something like that from him back when we first met when he was fifteen. Not ten years later when he is freaking twenty-five. Not to mention the fact that this was going to come up completely useless and we were just wasting our time.
Obi-Wan seemed to sense my aggravated state and he turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow. "What?" He asked but in an obvious tone indicating he didn't really care.
"This is pointless. They're not going to find anything and we're going to be right back at square one," I told him clearly irritated to which he just continued to raise his eyebrow and give me a smirk.
"What would you suggest we do instead?" He then asked me to which I smirked in reply.
"Honestly, anything but this. We could probably find more about this in the library than we will here," I grumbled before the droid returned with the dart up to our window.
"The markings cannot be identified," the droid explained as a thermal image of the dart then appeared on the small computer screen in front of us to which Obi-Wan observed highly interested as he began stroking his beard, an action I found that he continually repeated. "As you can see on your screen, the subject weapon does not exist in any known culture. Probably self-made by a warrior not associated with any known society. Stand away from the sensor tray please," the droid then announced as Obi-Wan stood up and the dart was sent back through the panel.
"Thank you for your assistance," I told the droids sarcastically before shooting Obi-Wan an I-so-told-you-so look.
He simply ignored me though as he took the dart back up in his fingertips and began inspecting it. Obi-Wan then froze though as his eyes started to grow and he started to break out into a smile. "I know who can identify this," he then declared proudly while I just rolled my eyes.
"If it's not another droid then I'm all in," I told him while he just shot me a bothered look and motioned for me to follow him.
He refused to tell me where we were going and simply directed me out of the Jedi Temple and into the city. We then walked down the streets until we arrived in CoCo Town. I'm not sure if Obi-Wan thought I was oblivious or simply didn't know this area because the whole time he continued to explain what certain places were. I'm pretty sure he had forgotten that I was the one who lived here for ten years. Not to mention that I am in CoCo Town every Saturday because that's when Embry, Tito, and I would go to Dex's Diner if we were all here. I just pretended to act interested for him until he literally walked up to Dex's Diner and I actually managed to let out a quick laugh.
"This is your great idea? Fill our stomachs while the assassin is still on the lose?" I asked him and he just sent me a glare before walking inside since there wasn't a door to the diner with me right behind him.
"A good friend of mine owns this place and he can be sure to help us," Obi-Wan started to explain while I smirked at him.
"Obi-Wan, I know this plac—" I started to say but he cut me off quickly, promptly ignoring me.
"Be sure to stay near me. Usually, only hard workers come here to eat but you can never be too cautious," Obi-Wan warned me while I let out an annoyed sigh.
"Obi, I'm well aware of—" I started to say before he cut me off again, paying absolutely no attention to what I was trying to tell him.
"There he is," Obi-Wan then exclaimed as he motioned towards the kitchen where, just like the Jedi said, there was Dex working away on the orders. Obi-Wan then motioned towards the WA-7 waitress droid that we needed to speak to Dex while it took everything in me not to roll my eyes at him.
"Someone here to see ya, honey!" The WA-7 waitress droid called out to Dex. "Jedi, by the looks of them," she announced while Dex set something aside before turning his attention towards the entrance where we were still standing. You could tell he instantly knew who Obi-Wan was because his face lit up in recognition as a wide smile took over his face. Obi-Wan was blocking me off so Dex wasn't able to see me.
"Obi-Wan!" Dex exclaimed upon seeing the Jedi whom, by their actions, I'm guessing they hadn't seen one another in a very long time while I had seen Dex two weeks ago, I think. I didn't come this past Saturday because I was on Naboo getting ready to assist Padmé back to Coruscant but I'm pretty sure I had come the Saturday before that because Embry was back in town.
"Hello, Dex," Obi-Wan greeted his old pal with a light laugh and a big toothy grin while I couldn't help but smile, I still rolled my eyes nonetheless."
"Take a seat. I'll be right with ya," Dex instructed us while he then went away from the window to clean up some stuff in the kitchen before he could join us.
Obi-Wan placed a hand on the small of my back before guiding me towards a booth The WA-7 waitress droid then called out to us for an order. "You wanna cup o'jawa juice?" She asked us while Obi-Wan sent her a warm smile.
"Oh, yes. Thank you," he told her before motioning towards a booth and I slid in. Obi-Wan then slid in beside me leaving the other side of the booth open for Dex. "Jawa Juice is made of bantha hides mashed with fermented grains and very delicious," Obi-Wan explained while I just smirked. The dude forgot that the drink originates from Tatooine, which is my home planet.
"I know what jawa juice is. I drank it all the time back on Tatooi—" I started to say before he simply cut me off like before.
"The owner's name is Dexter Jettster, but he goes by Dex. He's a Besalisk with a colorful background. He's also—" he started to explain before this time, I was the one who cut him off, my patience with him was quickly growing very thin.
"I know who Dex—" I tried to explain before the Jedi had the nerve to cut me off again.
"Hey!" He called out to Dex who had emerged from the kitchen and was now waddling over to us. Obi-Wan got out of the booth and approached his old friend while I too slid out of the booth and made my way over to them.
"Old buddy!" Dex exclaimed with a loud chuckle as he embraced Obi-Wan tightly as Obi-Wan patted the Besalisk's back. "It's so good to see ya!"
"It's been a long time Dex!" Obi-Wan chuckled as he then pulled away from Dex and by this time I was now standing beside the two. Obi-Wan smiled big as he motioned towards me while my face just turned into an amused smile at him. "I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine. This is Master Yoda's Apprentice and my Padawan's twin sister, Serenity Sky—"
"Ah, Sere!" Dex exclaimed as soon as he laid eyes on me while I just broke out in a wide toothy grin and Obi-Wan simply frowned and then proceeded to look dumbfounded.
"Dex!" I said merrily as we embraced and Obi-Wan looked utterly bewildered at the two of us with his face all scrunched up.
"I missed seeing ya last week. On another mission?" Dex then asked me to which I gave him a sweet nod.
"I was back on Naboo helping escort Senator Amidala," I explained to which Dex gave a knowing chuckle since he was already more than well aware that I protected Padmé. After all, I had been going to his diner on a regular basis for seven years. He gave me discounts and everything, I'd say we were by far good friends.
"Wait, wait," Obi-Wan exclaimed still staring at the two of us like we were ghosts. "You two know each other?"
"Yeah, of course!" Dex exclaimed giving me a pat on the back while I just raised a humored eyebrow at the Jedi. "Sere is a regular customer here. I've known her all the way back when she still had blonde hair and she was this high," he joked motioning to how high I was at twelve-years-old while I just chuckled.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Obi-Wan then asked causing me to laugh and roll my eyes.
"I tried, like a good five times. Remember back when you kept cutting me off?" I told him sassily and crossing my arms to which Dex laughed good and hard at that one.
"Oh, Obi-Wan, always behind," Dex joked as the three of us then made our way back to the booth with Obi-Wan and I sharing the same seat again and Dex squeezing into the seat across from us. And yes, squeezing. The poor guy wasn't the same size when he first built this place and I had first met him. Back then he could still fit into these booths with no problem. Now he had to barge through and bend the booth's seat just to get into the booth and even then he was still partially hanging out.
"So, my friends, what can I do for ya?" Dex then asked while I couldn't help but snort at him.
"What makes you think we need something? Perhaps we just came here to eat," I joked with him while Dex just smirked knowingly at me.
"As if. It's not Saturday and I've never seen the two of you in here together, let alone during the day," Dex answered wittingly while Obi-Wan reached into his robes and pulled out the dart before holding it up in front of Dex.
"You can tell us what this is," Obi-Wan answered his previous question as he set the dart on the table in front of the Besalisk.
"Well, whattaya know!" Dex exclaimed as his eyes widened at the small dart before delicately picking up the dart in one of his puffy hands and peering at it. "I ain't seen one of these since I was prospectin' on Subterrel, beyond the outer rim."
The WA-7 waitress droid then approached with our drinks which Obi-Wan kindly handed me mine while Dex continued to peer amazed at the dart in silence. "Can you tell us where it came from?" I then asked before Dex let out a knowing chuckle.
"This baby belongs to them Cloners," the Besalisk explained before I took a small sip of the jawa juice while Dex continued to explain. "What you got here is a Kamino saberdart."
"I wonder why it didn't show up in the analysis archives," Obi-Wan said with a frown while I gave a loud grunt of annoyance.
"Because they're original. Besides, they don't focus on detail," I said irritated and Obi-Wan just flashed me a wayward glance before continuing to focus on the Besalisk.
Dex gave me a nod in agreement as he then pointed out specific reasons why to Obi-Wan. "It's these funny little cuts on the side that give it away. Those analysis droids only focus on symbols," he said as he placed the dart back on the table and then gave out a loud smirk. "I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom," Dex said with a long chuckle while Obi-Wan just took a sip of his drink and I developed an amused look.
"Well, if droids could think there'd be none of us here would there," I said and Dex laughed in agreement with me. Obi-Wan simply picked the dart back up and examined it not really paying attention to our small talk but more focused on work.
"Kamino . . . I'm not familiar with it," Obi-Wan said as he observed the little cuts on the side of the dart Dex had pointed out. "Is it in the Republic?"
"No, no. It's beyond the outer rim. I'd say about twelve parsecs outside the Rishi Maze. Should be easy to find," Dex said resting one of his arms on the top of the booth before his tone turned arrogant. "Even for those droids in your archives."
Obi-Wan and I both gave small laughs to his comment as we both then took another sip of our drinks. However, Dex's face then turned dark and his voice grew quieter as he leaned in close to us. "These Kaminoans keep to themselves. They're Cloners. Damn good ones too," he told us while Obi-Wan gave a semi-understanding nod but I just frowned.
"Cloners. Are they friendly?" I then asked growing a bit concerned having a good feeling Obi-Wan and I were going to have to be heading to Kamino and I'd like to avoid trouble if at all possible.
"Well, it depends," Dex said with a shrug as he leaned back in the booth again.
"Depends on what, Dex?" Obi-Wan asked with a slight chuckle but also growing concerned as well.
"On how good your manners are," the Besalisk told us plainly before his eyes grew a tad bit serious but his smile still remained humorous. "And how big your . . . pocketbook is," he told us with a somewhat dark chuckle before then having to excuse himself to get back to work. However, he informed us that we could stay as long as we liked and that the drinks were on him.
"I'm guessing as soon as we explain this to the council they'll have us on the first plane heading to Kamino," I said a bit sarcastically but also serious as I took another sip from my Jawa Juice while Obi-Wan just gave a shrug.
"Most likely, especially if that is where the bounty hunter is getting his supplies, we may be able to find him there. Besides what's the rush?" Obi-Wan said before looking at me intensely in my eyes with humor etched into his smile. "This is like a first date," he then said in a joking manner, but it was like my whole body just froze.
I didn't know what to do. Part of me couldn't even register what he really said while the other part of me was questioning if he really did even say that. Either way, I totally panicked. Not knowing how to react, I actually ended up throwing my drink on him. The juice flew from my drink as it splashed all over Obi-Wan's face and onto his robes. As soon as it happened, a loud gasp escaped my lips as I covered my mouth with wide eyes and stared at him in utter shock at what just happened.
In truth, I have absolutely no idea what possessed me to do that. Even to this day, I have no idea why the hell I did what I did. I wanted to run and jump on a starship and take the starship all the way to an unknown planet where I could remain in hiding or banishment for the rest of my life. Heck, running into a glass door or even running into a waitress and spilling all the drinks would have been way more preferable than this. I wouldn't even do this to my brother, so why I did it to a fucking Jedi Master is beyond me.
I could feel the heat practically radiating in my cheeks and was sure that they were a bright red as I continued to stare at Obi-Wan who was just staring back at me with his bright blue eyes, most likely questioning what in the universe just happened. "O-oh my Force," I found myself stuttering as my hands began to shake from utter humiliation. Talk about how embarrassing this was, people all over the diner were looking at us and it certainly didn't help that we were sitting beside one another. People were probably thinking he tried to do something to me when the reality was he was only trying to joke around with me when stupid me freaked.
There was a loud hysterical laugh coming from the kitchen that broke the terrible silence in the diner. When Obi-Wan and I looked over towards the sound, I realized it was coming from Dex who, turns out, had been watching us the entire time. Now he was sitting behind the counter practically with tears streaming out of his eyes as his laughter continued to echo throughout the diner. He kept slapping the counter over and over again and while I didn't even think it was possible for me to turn a deeper red, with each slap, somehow I managed to practically turn into the bright red shade of lipstick Padmé used to wear back when she was Queen of Naboo.
"I-I'm so sorry," I continued to stutter to Obi-Wan with the heat still pounding in my cheeks as I grabbed a handful of napkins and while I continued to fiercely apologize, I tried to clean him up by patting him down and whipping the juice from his face. The whole time Obi-Wan didn't say anything but just continued to shoot me confused glances. However, I couldn't help but notice the unmistakable humor lingering in his eyes.
As soon as I managed to clean up his face and, what I could, off his robes, he actually started to give a soft chuckle of humor as he raised an eyebrow at me. "You certainly are something else, Sere," he then told me while I just hid my face with my hands, still terribly embarrassed. Not so much ashamed, just feeling like a complete dumb ass.
Obi-Wan then continued to chuckle as we got out of the booth and gave our farewells to Dex. "The two of ya should come here more often together," Dex called out to us with a loud amused chuckle. "You two are pretty entertaining!"
The two of us practically rushed out of the diner with that comment before heading to the Jedi Archives to try and find out where this so called planet Kamino was that Dec had been telling us about. The Temple was bustling with activity now seeing as it was well into the afternoon now. As soon as we arrived in the library, we found a personal computer and sat down searching the archive charts in an effort to find this Kamino.
We spent the rest of the afternoon searching until we gave up to rest, and now we were back in the library the next day still continuously searching. I let out a long sigh as I bit my bottom lip in frustration. Neither one of us were having any luck and I was starting to come to the conclusion that perhaps Kamino didn't even exist. But then again, Dex had no reason to lie to us. I could feel Obi-Wan's eyes lingering on me as I continued flipping through paper charts while he was supposed to be looking at the computer archives. I'm not sure how long he was staring at me but it was becoming annoying pretty quick, let alone creepy.
"Can I help you," I asked him without even bothering to look at him. He jumped slightly at my comment before quickly turning his attention back to the archives as if nothing had happened.
"What's bothering you?" Obj-Wan then asked while I let out another long sigh and rubbed my cheek with my hand as I leaned back in my chair.
"There's nothing here. I've gone through all of these charts at least five times, and still absolutely nothing," I told him to which the Jedi just looked over at me with a raised eyebrow. "Are you finding anything?"
"No," he answered with a small sigh.
"Any sign of this wayward planet?" I asked desperately for any type of find he might have made.
"Nope," he answered stiffly again.
"Absolutely nothing?" I asked with a groan.
"Nothing," he answered.
"Should we ask for help?" I then asked to which he turned and gave me an irritated look.
"We don't need to ask for help," he responded flatly causing me to smirk at him.
"Such a man, never wanting to ask for help," I said with an eye roll. "Well, the two of us haven't found anything so don't you think some needed assistance would be worthwhile?"
"Must you ask so many questions?" He then asked me which caused me to frown at him becoming extremely annoyed.
"Must you give such vague answers?" I retaliated to which, this time, he was the one to roll his eyes at me. I then stood up from my chair in a very abrupt manner causing Obi-Wan to raise an eyebrow at me while I just sneered at him and crossed my arms. "I'm going to find the archivist for help since you clearly won't do it."
Obi-Wan started to open his mouth to say something but before he had time, I stormed off, not wanting to be anywhere near him right now. Instead, I set out to do exactly what I told him I was going to do and searched the library for any sign of Jocasta Nu, the Chief Librarian, but I couldn't find her anywhere. So instead, I settled for an assistant and just informed them that I needed to speak with her. While I waited for the help, I stood in front of some of the Jedi facial statues in homage to all of the Jedi. I was currently looking at the one of the Jedi known as Dooku since his statue was the closest to where Obi-Wan and I were working, but I still wasn't ready to be near that annoying Jedi just yet.
I was too wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't hear the familiar clicking heels as Jocasta Nu was approaching until she was standing beside me. "Did you call for assistance?" She then asked me. When I turned to face her, she quickly recognized me and her face broke into a warm smile. "Ah, Sere! Such a pleasure to see you here. I haven't seen you here in a while?"
Jocasta Nu was a sweet elderly woman who was the Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives. She typically assists fellow Jedi in finding the information they needed from the Jedi Archives and controlled access to the restricted Holocron Vault which I would need access to all the time seeing as I had already read every other book in the library. She had white hair and soft warm blue eyes. Jocasta always had a way with people and I always enjoyed her company.
"No 'mam," I smiled back at her and I noticed Obi-Wan turning over in our direction with confusion clear on his face. "I've been away for a while for a mission."
Jocasta then turned her attention towards the statue I had been studying as her eyes then transformed into a far away look. "Ah, he has a very powerful face doesn't he?" Jocasta sighed in a soft manner as she stroked the statue face of Dooku. "He was one of the most brilliant Jedi I had the privilege of knowing."
"You knew him?" I then asked with a surprised look. Then again, I wasn't too surprised seeing as Jocasta was pretty old so she probably knew a ton of famous Jedi I had never known.
Jocasta gave me a sweet nod while I just frowned. "I never understood why he quit," I admitted as I then stared at the statue of the former Jedi Master's face.
I had only heard stories about him, most from other Padawan's seeing as Dooku, like myself, was trained by Master Yoda. He was my Master's last apprentice before myself, so it was hard for me not to be naturally curious about him. What really struck my curiosity, however, was why in the universe he left the order. It was very rare for Jedi to leave the order and pretty unheard of.
"Well, one might say he was always a bit out of step with the decisions of the council. Much like your old friend, Master Qui-Gon Jinn," she then told me with a toothy grin which I could help but smile back at the news of my former father figure.
"Really?" I asked her, even more so curious now than before.
"Ah, oh yes. They were very individual thinkers . . . idealists," she said with another far off look towards the statue. "In the end, I think he left because he lost faith in the Republic. He disappeared for nine of ten years and turned up recently as head of the separatist movement!"
"Very interesting, isn't it?" I then agreed with her before letting out a sigh. "I'm still not sure I completely understand though."
"Well, you didn't call me over here for a history lesson," Jocasta said changing the subject. "How may I help you, sweetie?" She then asked as she smiled gracefully at me in a helping manner.
"Yes, Master Kenobi and I are looking for a planetary system called Kamino," I then explained as we walked back over towards our table where I sat down beside Obi-Wan. I then leaned over him and pointed at the computer while Obi-Wan just raised an eyebrow at me, but I simply ignored him. "It doesn't seem to be showing up on the archive charts."
"Kamino," Jocasta said with a long hum and furrowed eyebrows in thought as she leaned over the other side of Obi-Wan's chair as we all peered at the screen. "It's not a system I'm familiar with," she then admitted to us. "Are you sure you have the right coordinates?"
"According to my information, it should appear in this quadrant here," Obi-Wan the started to explain as he then pointed to the screen where the planet should be located. "Just south of the Rishi Maze," Obi-Wan demonstrated, but just like we said, there was no sign of it.
Jocasta pressed a few keys zooming into the planetary system where, just as we said, the spot where the coordinates lead us were empty. She stared at the screen for a while before letting out a long sad sigh and standing up straight as she then peered at the both of us. "I hate to say it, but it looks like the system you're searching for doesn't exist."
"Impossible," Obi-Wan then exclaimed with a deep frown. "Perhaps the archives are incomplete."
Jocasta put on a quick wounded look on her face as she was quite offended by his words before she stood up straighter and narrowed her eyes at him as she was scolding a child. "If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist," she then sassed him while I tried to stifle a laugh before she turned to me with a warm smile. "I'm sorry dear," she the apologized to me before leaving us and starting to assist a Padawan child who was waiting with a question for her.
She started to walk off while Obi-Wan stroked his beard and stared long and hard at the screen, frustrated with our results. Jocasta then stopped walking and turned back over towards us before calling out to me. "Serenity, don't you have your class with Master Yoda teaching the younglings in a few minutes?" She then asked me.
At first, I just frowned at her having no idea what she was talking about. "Oh no," I then exclaimed in horror once I realized what she was talking about. My eyes turned huge as I practically fumbled out of my seat in a mad hurry knowing I was about to be late. "Thank you!" I called out to her in an appreciative manner while Obi-Wan just watched me sprint out of the library utterly abandoning him to the search alone.
"Wait! Sere!" He yelled after me. "I need your help!"
"Considering you're not my Master, I think my Master has priority!" I simply yelled back while I saw him shoot me a last minute glare before I was in the corridors running as fast as I could to the Younglings class.
Two years ago, Master Yoda had me attend some of his classes with the Younglings to help train them. He told me, and I totally agreed with him, that it always helps the Younglings to see an older Padawan assist them. When I was younger, I always loved seeing the older Padawan's come into my class and help out. I always admired them because they were doing precisely what I wanted to be doing. There was always something about a Master telling and showing something as well as an older Padawan telling and showing something.
"The lesson today is simple," I instructed before igniting my lightsaber. "This droid will be firing at you and you will have to learn to use the lightsaber to protect you. However, you will not be able to see. The goal, is that you have to use the Force instead of your sight to know when and where the droid is going to fire at you," I explained before placing a blinding helmet over my head as I stood in front of the younglings to demonstrate.
Master Yoda then ignited the droid which soon began blasting at me, but I had no problem deflecting and sensing the blasts. I had only mastered this lesson years ago, actually the first one in my class to ever really get the hang of it. Once you used the Force to guide you, the rest became fairly simple. After clearly perfecting my demonstration for the class, I retracted my saber once Master Yoda turned the droid off and removed my helmet.
"Younglings now, your turn," Master Yoda then instructed as the younglings all fetched a helmet and prepared their training sabers while we ignited all the droids.
The laser would not harm them, just a simple sting or pinching sensation. Either way though, some of the younglings were having more luck than others while some could not get the hang of this at all. I couldn't help but giggle slightly at one human boy was just swinging his lightsaber aimlessly in all different directions trying to deflect the blasts.
"Reach out," Master Yoda instructed them with a croak. "Sense the Force around you."
"You must use your feelings," I added on as a paced around the room observing the children. "Feel it deep within you," I explained as the helpless boy than actually managed to deflect a blast before giving out a loud cheer.
His celebration was short lived though because he then got blasted once more while I had to try everything to stifle in a laugh. I covered my mouth with my hand trying to hold it in when I then noticed the all too familiar stiff Jedi entering the room. The humor and smile quickly fleeted as I glared at Obi-Wan who was now standing at the entrance while he just sent a highly amused look in my direction.
"Younglings," Master Yoda then called out to the children as he tapped his cane on the ground a couple of times to get their attention. "Younglings! A visitor we have," he then said as he motioned towards Obi-Wan while the younglings retracted their sabers and removed their helmets.
"Hello, Master Obi-Wan," the younglings all greeted him in unison before they turned to me seeing as I had not said anything in greeting while Obi-Wan gave me a smug look.
If the younglings or Master Yoda weren't in the room, I would have rolled my eyes at him and smacked that smug look off his face. But seeing as they were in the room and it would be considered rude and disrespectful not to greet the Jedi Master, I swallowed my distaste for the time being. "Kenobi," I then acknowledge him through grit teeth and the fakest grin I could muster at him.
"Hello, Sere," Obi-Wan then said in a sickly sweet voice towards me before turning towards Master Yoda. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Master."
"Not likely," I muttered to which Obi-Wan sent me a quick glare but some of the younglings near me that were able to hear me, giggled at my statement.
"What help can I be, Obi-Wan?" Yoda then asked Obi-Wan.
"Serenity and I are looking for a planet described to me by an old friend," Obi-Wan said as he shot me a look when he mentioned my name, clearly still irritated with the fact that I abandoned him in the library, before turning back to Yoda calmly. "I trust him, but the systems don't show in the archive maps."
"Hmm," Master Yoda then hummed in thought before a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes towards the younglings. "Lost a planet Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing! How embarrassing," he said shaking his head causing the younglings and me to giggle.
"The shades please, Liam," I then called out to one of the pale dark haired boys who quickly obeyed and did as I requested.
"Gather round the map reader," Master Yoda then instructed as a small hologram was emitted from the floor where Obi-Wan placed the map on as the room darkened. "Clear your minds and find Obi-Wan's wayward planet we will," he said as the hologram then projected the map around the room and we were covered in stars.
Obi-Wan began striding around the room as he searched this specific galactic quadrant. "It ought to be . . . here," he then declared pointing at an empty space.
I found my heart racing and my breath slightly hitching in my throat because Obi-Wan was now directly in front of me pointing above my head. He was so close, I could feel his breath on my forehead as I swallowed hard slightly but he remained where he stood. It was like my body was frozen in time and I simply couldn't move. I'm not sure why him being so close was causing me to react so cautious. Perhaps it was just because the only other boy I've ever been this close too was Anakin, and he was my brother. Then again, Obi-Wan and I were together in the speeder the night before, but that was different. That was a matter of life or death and I was pumped with adrenaline.
"But it isn't," Obi-Wan then explained as he then took a step back and I released a shaky breath I apparently had been holding. "Gravity is pulling all the stars in the area towards this spot," he then said before crossing his arms.
"Gravity's silhouette remains . . . but the star and all the planets . . . disappeared they have. How can this be? A thought?" Master Yoda then asked before the room went eerie quiet while I was trying to avoid eye contact with Obi-Wan as much as possible. "Anyone?" He then asked again before one of the children spoke up.
"Master?" He called out as the three of us turned in the younglings direction. "Because someone erased it from the archive memory."
Obi-Wan gave a slight smile once he realized how right the boy might have been while I gave the boy a soft pat on the shoulder. Master Yoda gave out a slight chuckle before turning to Obi-Wan and I. "Truly wonderful the mind of a child is," he then told us while I sent him a smile of agreement.
"Indeed, Master," I then said before Master Yoda turned serious.
"The Padawan is right," Master Yoda then informed us. "Go to the center of gravity's pull . . . and find your planet you will."
Obi-Wan then brushed past my shoulder as he used the Force to retract the hologram orb. Master Yoda then motioned for the two of us to follow him. "The data must have been erased," he told us as soon as Obi-Wan and I caught up.
"But, Master Yoda," I then said with a frown. "Who could empty information from the archives?"
"That's impossible isn't it?" Obi-Wan then asked agreeing with me, to my surprise.
Yoda frowned for a second and was unable to answer to Obi-Wan's and my surprise. "Dangerous and disturbing this puzzle is," he admitted before stroking his chin. "Only a Jedi could have erased those files. But who and why, harder to answer. Meditate on this I will."
Master Yoda then raised an eyebrow and pointed a finger at me. "Go with Obi-Wan, you must. At this planet, answers and questions we can find," he told me which caused me to quickly furrow my eyebrows and frown with his decision.
"Master, I don't know if that's such a good idea for me to go with Obi-Wan," I told Master Yoda while Obi-Wan just gave me a smug look.
"Don't trust me?" He asked me while I just shot him a quick glare.
"No, I don't," I then exclaimed which just caused him to raise an eyebrow at my bold response.
Master Yoda on the other hand just gave a chuckle as he then started to walk away back towards the youngling class leaving me behind. "See you soon my Padawan, I will," he then told me finalizing his decision while I was left to pout alongside Obi-Wan.
• ———————— ☬ ———————— •
A/N:
Ohhhhhhh man. Things are certainly heating up for Orenity 😏
I think I need to fan myself off from all that sexual tension though!
Can I get a H E L L Y E A H ? ! ? ! 🙌🏼
Why do y'all think Obi-Wan is acting like a real pain in the ass though? Any thoughts? Comment and vote on the chapter!!!