♡ || chapter 3. big plans ahead
I was summoned again by the Council to report on an urgency. It sounded pretty big with Master Windu constantly telling me that meetings were a priority when it came to being a Jedi. Especially this one, he wanted me to report as soon as possible.
As I hurried from my room to the Council chambers, my feet lightly brushed against the outside of the entrance. I carefully smoothed down my robes and tidied my braided hair as I listened to the esteemed masters conversing amongst themselves in the room.
They stopped once they all saw my presence. I bowed in respect and spoke first.
"You summoned me?" I brought up the topic.
"Indeed," Master Windu addressed. "You've been assigned to a mission we chose for you. Well, I chose for your need."
I began to feel a slight increase in my heart rate as I thought about the upcoming trials and other significant matters. Even Obi-Wan entered my thoughts, causing my heart to flutter with the mere image of him in this way. I know I shouldn't have these feelings at all; it was forbidden to have any attachments when you were a Jedi.
"What about my training exercises I have to go through, Master? Am I supposed to prepare for the trials?" My question protruded to Master Windu.
"Those will be held off in the meantime. There is no worry about that, but we do need you to support this appropriate mission. It requires a lot of patience for what might be carried out."
I gently nodded in response and asked what this mission was.
"Negotiations, it is. Important to the Council and the Republic. Fail, you must not," Master Yoda addressed.
"Who would be joining in on the mission?" I questioned.
"Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, they shall help you."
"When do I see them?"
"Now, you must."
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I patiently stood at the dock, awaiting the arrival of the two who would be joining me with additional troops. There was a significant amount of transport activity occurring between Coruscant. It was nice though, seeing the flying transports go from place to place in a blink of an eye. Makes it forget that war and interference are happening outside this galaxy. Lovely...
I observed the ship gracefully descending as the large door opened. After a few moments passed, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan appeared. The two looked almost identical in their attire and it made me pleased to see Obi-Wan attentive while Master Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow when he came toward me.
"I assume you must be..." Qui-Gon began and then ran into some difficulty in remembering me. I couldn't help but raise the corners of my eyes slightly, wondering if he was joking, as my mouth remained closed. I hope he wasn't kidding...
"I'm kidding, Jewel," he laughed proudly and smiling. "I know it's you."
He kindly smiled and bowed toward me with Obi-Wan standing by his side. I greeted him warmly with a smile, and he responded with equal enthusiasm. He bowed in respect as I followed his gesture too.
"By the way, I've heard that the two of you are acquainted since the very beginning, isn't that right?" Qui-Gon's words filled the air, throwing me off entirely from that statement.
"I beg your pardon, master?" Obi-Wan followed his master's question.
"You didn't know?" Qui-Gon was surprised by this. He turned to me and wondered if I had not known either, which I didn't. "I figured you both would've figured this puzzle out."
"Puzzle?" I chimed in.
He softly laughed and shook his head. He folded his arms and looked over at me and Obi-Wan.
"You two are very far-fetched from reality, aren't you?" Qui-Gon begun. "You both knew each other since you were kids! On Stewjon, Obi-Wan first left because of his special abilities. Not too long right after, one of my Commanders told me they saw Jewel lifting some stones and acting similarly to Obi-Wan. Plus, you both were close when you were kids from what your mother mentioned. Ah, the Force works in mysterious ways..."
Obi-Wan and I happened to make eye contact, and our gaze lingered for a few moments before I respectfully averted my eyes. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon continued to share his thoughts.
No wonder... That little boy was Obi-Wan and I always knew there was something familiar about him. It's interesting to note that neither I nor Obi-Wan had ever shared our names in the past, despite spending time together and playing when we were younger. It just always happened to be enough when the two of us were by each other.
"Anyways, we should be going now," Qui-Gon finished before returning to the ship. His footsteps clamped on the metal stairs, leaving Obi-Wan and I still outside.
"I sensed it after all then," Obi-Wan said after a few seconds of silence. "I mean, I remembered hearing that you were here. Although, I was never able to find you back when we were younger."
"It's because Master Windu always sent me away to do research, study, or any other important lesson he had. I was his child but couldn't have any fun," I described, shifting my braided hair. "It was still nice being able to meet you later on. In my head, it felt like for some reason we had met before, and well... Now we know."
"Master Windu is different, that's all. Nothing more, nothing less." Obi-Wan's almost blank expression took over his face when I mentioned Master Windu.
The gentle breeze caressed the landing dock, causing my hair to briefly move as Obi-Wan caught it. I couldn't help but notice that his eyes were trying to push for a question or something since his face usually read a lot of different things without saying anything.
"May I ask you why your hair is regularly styled in that manner?" Obi-Wan interjected, nearly surprising me.
"Hmm?" I returned, moving my braided hair back to where it was.
"It's just that... Your hair is always in a braid or ponytail or any other sort and never let down. Why is that?"
"My mother had always told me this joke. I keep it like this to remember her at ever since I left. I've gotten used to it but it's rare for me to have it down. Self-consciousness can act very subtle sometimes."
Obi-Wan took a moment to reflect, gently rubbing his chin, and maintained his gaze on me. "I believe it may appear better let down. It may enhance your beauty, dare I say."
My stomach began to twist, and I immediately covered up my reaction. Obi-Wan's face turned a sad shade of red as he realized what he had said. He had just flirted with me... Whoa, who would've thought the Obi-Wan Kenobi making moves and it not being me.
"What's taking you both so long?" Qui-Gon called out from inside the ship. "We don't want to be late!"
"I'll keep your thought in mind," I teased Obi-Wan. "Shall we?"
"But of course," Obi-Wan added as he 'escorted' me to the cockpit of the ship.
Upon reflection, it is clear that noticeable changes were occurring within myself. However, it has become apparent that Obi-Wan may no longer resemble the boy I once knew.
A good difference though.