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Maybe – just maybe – everything could have been avoided if Ahsoka had put into practice Master Sinube’s teachings and had taken a moment to reflect on the matter.
But Ahsoka wasn’t known for her patience, especially when it concerned the reputation of her Master and of one of the Jedi she admired the most.
Aayla was, actually, taken into great account by the young Padawan, not only for her abilities on the battlefield, but also because she was one of the few female models the girl ever had.
She wasn’t a stranger to the comments and murmurs that constantly followed Aayla, it didn’t matter what planet or mission they were on.
Ahsoka herself was a victim of attitudes that made her skin crawl, since she was just a twelve-year-old Initiate. Up to when she had met Aayla, she had always kept everything inside. Not because she was ashamed, at least not consciously, but those were matters she would never have addressed with Anakin or Obi-Wan.
Aayla, instead, seemed to be floating with grace among all that rottenness, not letting it touch her.
“It’s not easy”, she told her once, after a teary-eyed Ahsoka asked her how she could bear all that sliminess and still dress the way she did. “But never let other people’s evil stare put a limit on who you are”.
It was trivial, really, but since then Ahsoka held her head higher, Aayla’s voice constantly in her mind.
“What would Master Secura do?” earned a place among her mantras, right between “What would Skyguy do?” and “Absolutely don’t do what Skyguy would do”.
So, the thought of someone – and not just someone, one of the most esteemed Council members! – was talking about Aayla in such terms made her blood boil.
- This behavior is unacceptable – Windu was saying, his tone surprisingly calm given the harshness of his words. – Clearly you understand the gravity of the fact.
- Come on, Mace – answered Obi-Wan’s voice, apparently trying to reconcile the situation. – They are young, after all. I think it’s perfectly natural…
- Natural! – the older Jedi uttered. – We’re not talking about undisciplined children, they are Jedi Masters. Our generals! I would have expected this from Skywalker, even though I held even him in higher account, but Secura!
- The War changed us, Mace- Even those of us who are more faithful to our duty… - Obi-Wan tried, but was interrupted again.
- But a couple! Two tookas in mating time!
Ahsoka could not believe her ears. Anakin and Aayla… no, it wasn’t possible.
And yet it wan’t the first time that the suspicion of something like this crossed her mind.
Anakin disappeared completely when they were on leave on Coruscant, and some of his comments shattered here and there made her think, but those were only conjectures. Besides, she always thought it was Padmé.
And Aayla? The Master had an ugly past with the temptation of the Dark Side, that was true, but since then she was the poster child of dedication to duty. She never would have broken the Order vows. Or would she?
Besides, where was the proof? Why weren’t they here to defend themselves?
- You are right – Obi-Wan’s voice put an end to her inner monologue. – I will speak to them both and make sure this ends right here.
- You’d better – muttered Windu. – I am willing to close an eye, as long as this never happens again. It must be true that the war is destroying us. But mind you, Kenobi, you won’t be able to cover for that boy forever. One day he’s gonna do something that even you can’t fix.
The sound of footsteps walking away meant that Windu was leaving, and after a while it was followed by Obi-Wan’s lighter ones.
Ahsoka stood frozen for a second.
What was she supposed to do? Obi-Wan had said he would fix everything, but maybe she should warn Aayla and Anakin? Were they aware of being caught?
And most importantly, what would Obi-Wan do? Order them to end their relationship at once? And what about their feelings?
Ahsoka still couldn’t believe they broke their vows, but at the same time she could not let them say goodbye to each other without having the chance to defend themselves.
If Anakin’s heart broke, Ahsoka’s would too.
She tried to contact him, her worry for him stronger than any other thought.
Commlink in her hand, she composed his code while she started running to the lift straight to the suite they shared.
The comm rang one, two, three times, obviously in vain.
“Skyguy!” she rumbles mentally. “He. Never. Answers!”
The turbolift seems to take twice as usual to get to her destination, and Ahsoka threw herself out as soon as the doors were open enough.
She reached the door, inserted the code, ran into the suite… to find it empty.
Obviously Skyguy went AWOL.
What if he was with Aayla, she thought suddenly. Obi-Wan was going to speak with them, he would catch them red-handed!
Determined to at least give them a warming, she ran out of the suite and towards the stairs.
Aayla’s suite wasn’t far, she had already been there when the Master had asked her for help with the translation of some text in Togruti.
Three flight of stairs, then the hallway on the left, down to the seventh door.
She ran among raised eyebrows and dirty looks from the Jedi she passed by (“This is a Temple, young lady!” a Master she didn’t recognize shouted after her)
Once she reached Aayla’s door, she pounded on it.
She must have hit it at least fifteen times when it slied on the side with a hiss and Aayla’s alarmed and confused face appear in front of her.
- Ahsoka? What’s going on? – she asked, seeing her in such a state of anxiety.
The girl was about to ansie, but she stopped. What could she tell her? “Hello, Master and my personal role model, I eavesdropped on a private conversation and found out about the secret relationship you have with my Master, so I came to warn you that the Council is thinking of forcing you to end everything. Oh, is that tea?”.
Besides, Aayla’s suite was a one-room setting; it was basically obvious she was alone. Therefore, there was no emergency.
Suddenly Ahsoka felt really stupid for meddling. She probably should have let the Masters handle everything, it was none of her business after all.
Aayla though was still staring at her waiting for an answer, and she seemed to grow worried at her silence. – Are you alright, young one?
Oh no. Oh no! She had just disturbed a Jedi Master’s peace for nothing? And it wasn’t like she could tell her the truth! Oh no, Obi-Wan would tear her to pieces- She already heard the sound of him telling her off.
- Erm – she stuttered. – Actually I was… I mean, I was looking for my Master.
Aayla raised an eyebrow. – And why are you looking for him here?
Ahsoka wanted to disappear. – I… thought I heard he was with you- Erm, from Master Windu, yes, for a strategy thing, I guess. – Strategy thing, she had really said that!
- Windu? – Aayla attere, with a note of surprise in her voice, promtly replaced by an unsure look. – Did he… did he tell you something else, by chance?
Ahsoka stilled. So Aayla suspected Windu knew? Then Ahsoka should have confirmed that. But how could she do it without being too direct?
- Erm… - she tried, trying to find the right words. – Actually… I mean, I…
-Ahsoka – the Jedi stopped her. – Take a deep breath.
The Padawan did as instructed, and the Master with her.
- I can imagine what Windu talked you about – she started, sighing.- It was a mistake that should never have happened.
Ahsoka widened her eyes. Aayla was spontaneously talking to her about the situation? And she thought of Anakin as a mistake?
A fit of anger threatened to arise in her at the thought that someone so special like her Master could be spoken of in such a way, but the Padawan shut it down: that was a very serious matter, they were talking Code violation. Windu was unusually understanding in not reporting it immediately to the Council.
She still felt sorry for Anakin. She knew how much of himself he gave to those he loved. If Aayla wanted to turn him down, even for a rightful reason, it would be a tough hit for him.
Aayla looked mortified. – Now you’ll have a terrible idea of me and your Master.
Ahsoka felt a pang to her heart. – Oh no, Master Secura, how can you think that? You did something you shouldn’t have, that’s true, but only you know the thoughts that crossed your minds in that moment. None of us can judge.
- You are really wise for your age, Ahsoka – she answered, looking heartened by her words. – i guess this war made us lose sight of the decourum and the composure that are expected from a Jedi. It won’t happen again.
- You did nothing wrong – Ahsoka offered, surprised by the harshness of Aayla’s words.
- You’re kind to say that – Aayla smiled, - but sometimes actions that seem without consequence have a great impact.
Ahsoka lowered her gaze, not finding anything she could answer. Kriff, she and Anakin could have been expelled from the Order if Windu had decided not to let this slide.
- So now it’s all over? – she found herself asking, only to regret it immediately. She knew that there were no alternatives, and that it was none of her business anyway, but she couldn’t help feeling sorry for the both of them.
- Oh no, I’m afraid not – the Master replied, shocking her.
- What? – she said, thinking she must have heard it wrong.
What happened, however wrong, happened, and there’s no turning back now. – Aayla looked resigned, and she smiled to Ahsoka’s expression. – And moreover, it wouldn’t be fair, don’t you think? After all, he has feelings too about this whole stunt.
Of course Anakin had feelings, Ahsoka thought. That was the problem! – Master Secura, I don’t think that…
- I’m afraid I already took too much of your time taking about this regrettable episode – Aayla cut short. – If I see you Master before you, I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.
- But Master, I don’t… - she tried.
- I bid you a good day. May the Force be with you, young one. – She went to close the door, then she stopped. – Oh, Ahsoka?
The Padawan looked at her, almost expecting her to say it was all just a prank. – I’d be grateful if you kept what you learnt for yourself. After all, we know how fast gossip travels, and in the time we’re at, this can’t be good do anyone.
Ahsoka wanted to tell her a lot of things: that she was making a mistake, that she put herself and Anakin in danger, that this could have ended badly. But in the end the only thing that she managed to get out was: - Yes, Master. I won’t tell anyone.
Aayla smiled again, and the tension seemed to bleed out of her. Then she turned in her heels and the doors closed behind her.
Oh no, Ahsoka thought. And now?
***
Skyguy kept not answering his commlink. Typical, complained Ahsoka.
But she had to warn him! Or did he and Aayla already discuss? Maybe they agreed on continue their relationship keeping it secret? Or did he not know anything?
Ahsoka asked herself how much Obi-Wan knew of… Oh, stars, Obi-Wan! Ahsoka stopped in her track.
Oh no, Obi-Wan would never let go something like this. If Anakin didn’t end his relationship with Aayla, the Jedi Master would drag him before the Council with his own hands. He would be expelled! Oh, Ahsoka could not let that happen!
She thought about running to Obi-Wan and beg him not to do it, or maybe to run to Anakin and tell him to change his mind, but she knew none of them would listen to her. Obi-Wan had a duty as a Councilman, and there was absolutely no way of convincing Anakin to let Aayla go if she really loved her, unless she asked so.
There was nothing she could do, not without help. But who could help her?
Even though there were a lot of Masters to whom she always turned to when she needed, she also knew that a situation like this would force them to intervene, they surely wouldn’t turn a blind eye. Even Master Plo, who Ahsoka held in high regard, was still a Councilman. Much like Obi-Wan, he would demand the immediate end of the relationship, given that he didn’t bring the situation to the Council.
No, she needed someone who could bring sense into Anakin and Aayla. But who? The only person Anakin listened to was Obi-Wan.
The face of Quinlan Vos, Aayla’s old Master, appeared in her mind. Of course! Vos was a mentor for Aayla and he was a great friend of Master Kenobi’s. Surely he would know how to face this better than her.
While she realized that she didn’t have the faintest idea of where to find him, she asked herself if it as fair to let him in on this. After all, it wasn’t her secret, and it wasn’t even told directly to her. The only reason she knew about it was a conversation heard randomly when the two Jedi Masters stopped to talk in the hallway next to the one she was in.
Ahsoka brushed away those thoughts: there was no time for ethics with Aayla and Anakin’s future on the table.
How could she track Vos though? He could be anywhere, maybe not even on Coruscant, somewhere on a mission. Unless…
She rushed to the stairs and started running towards the meditation room on the ninth floor, the one so small that it was only used by those who wanted to meditate alone. Not that this was in Quinlan Vos’s style, but years ago the Jedi Master used to go there to bother a desperately in need of concentration Obi-Wan, and since then he started to frequent it even on his own.
Ahsoka collected in her run a lot of dirty looks and irritated comments, but she let them slide.
When she reached her destination, only ten minutes had passed, but it felt like days.
The Force must have been with her that day, because Vos was not only in the small room, sitting crossed-legged on the mat, but he was also alone.
The Jedi Master had his eyes closed and showed no sign of noticing the Padawan’s entrance.
Ahsoka approached him, closing the door behind her.
She was frantically trying to find a way to express the vortex of discoveries and fears that was going on in her mind while a voice made her jump.
- Considering who your Master is, it’s no surprise you’re so energetic, but I don’t think this is the right mindset to enter a meditation room. – Vos cracked an eye open, so that it looked like he was winking at her. – It looks like you’ve seen a ghost, young one.
Ahsoka felt compelled to tell him everyting and at the same time to run away pretending to have entered the wrong room.
But she was still a Jedi, and so she forced herself to take a deep breath.
- Master Vos, I’m so sorry to disturb you. I’m afraid something happened that requires your attention.
Quinlan opened the other eye, shifting his attention fully on her. – And why are you talking to me instead of Skywalker? – he asked, sounding more curious than annoyed.
- Because it’s about him – she answered. – And Master Secura.
Something changed in Vos’s expression, and Ahsoka thought she saw a flash of amusement. – Oh, is that so?
He knows, the Padawan realized.
- Master, I think… No, I know she and Anakin… I mean, Master Skywalker…
- Come on. Padawan – the Jedi stopped her. – It’s not so bad, after all- Why are you so upset?
- I… - Ahsoka stuttered, not being able to find the right words. Not only Vos knew everything, but he thought it was nothing? – But we… We are Jedi. We don’t do such things.
Quinlan was now smiling wide at her confusion. – It’s true, we are Jedi. But, and now I’ll reveal a shocking truth to you, Jedi are allowed some fun too, from time to time.
- Fun? – Ahsoka repeated, outraged. Vos didn’t understand a single thing- We’re not talking about fun here, master. Their feelings are extremely serious!
Now it was Quinlan’s turn to look confused. – Feelings? What?
And so he had no idea how bad the situation was, Ahsoka. – Yes, feelings! And they have no intention of ending their relationship! Master Secura told me herself.
- Their relationship – Quinlan repeated slowly, as if he was having trouble understanding her.
- And it’s not over. – Ahsoka couldn’t stop herself now. – Master Windu knows everything! And she asked Obi-Wan to speak with them both to try and solve this in silence! But they won’t give up, and Master Kenobi will have to turn them to the Council! They’ll be kicked out of the Order!
When she was done talking, she felt much lighter, but just for a second.
Quinland didn’t react, he just stared at her with a look impossible to read. What if she was wrong, and it would be Vos who would run to the Council? Doubt crept inside her mind. What if he decided to put all the blame on Anakin to try to save Aayla?
She forced herself to turn down that idea. Vos might have a slight dislike for Anakin, but he was still a Jedi. He would never manipulate the situation to make him look guilty. This didn’t mean that he would help them.
- Let me understand – said the Master. – Aayla personally confessed to you that she has an affair with Skywalker? – he spat the name out as if it was spoiled milk.
- Yes – Ahsoka confirmed, but then she thought again. – Well, no. Not quite, I mean, she made me understand it.
Quinlan raised an eyebrow, and Ahsoka pushed herself to go on, despite the fact that this tale didn’t picture her as the most diligent Padawan. – When I heard Master Windu and Master Kenobi talk about it… I wasn’t eavesdropping, I swear, I was just passing by… I called Anakin, but he wasn’t answering, so I went to Master Secura. And she told me she realizes that she and Anakin made a mistake, but that there’s no turning back now. They’ll be in serious trouble, we have to help them!
- Alright – Quinlan stopped her again, raising his hand. He wasn’t smiling anyore, but he didn’t look troubled. – Calm down, young Padawan. Release your emotions in the Force.
Ahsoka tried not to roll her eyes, but she did as instructed. After all, her impatience had been the cause of her mistakes before.
- Did Aayla explicity name Skywalker? – he asked. Ahsoka shook her head to say no.
Quinlan considered her for a few seconds, looking like he was making an important decision, then sighed. – Well, I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. Aayla doesn’t have a relationship with him.
- No? – Ahsoka said, incredulous. – Oh, thank the Force! But then why does Windu think so?
- Well, there’s no other explanation – Quinlan said, with a strange glint in his eyes. – Windu must have assumed that the person Aayla is in love with was him, Force knows why. Those looks are wasted on his personality.
- What? – Ahsoka was more confused than before. – So Master Secura does have an affair with someone? And it isn’t Anakin?
- Kriff, no – Quinlan laughed. – It’s not Skywalker. It’s Obi-Wan.
The universe tilted sideways. No, it wasn’t possible, Vos was wrong. It was already hard to believe this of Anakin, but Obi-Wan was unthinkable.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, spitting image of the perfect Jedi, role model, Negotiator of the Jedi Order… in a secret relationship with another Master? No way.
- Master, it’s not possible. Not Obi-Wan!
Quinlan waved her off. – I’m one of his oldest friends, young one. Since we were barely more than Initiates. Do you really think he wouldn’t confide something like this to me?
Ahsoka didn’t know what to think. After all, even though she spent a lot of time on the battlefield with Master Kenobi, she didn’t know a lot about him, certainly not as much as Vos.
- But why did Aayla…? – But Aayla never actually named Anakin, she remembered. Although he was her Master, given the great number of missions that the three were assaigned together and the growing popularity of the poster duo Kenobi/Skywalker, a lot of people referred to Obi-Wan as Ahsoka’s Master. Obi-Wan himself included.
- Master Vos, what do we do? – she asked helpless to the older Jedi.
He looked at her- There’s just one thing to do, my dear. – He bent forwards, as if about to tell her a secret. – Nothing.
- Nothing?! – Ahsoka was starting to believe they all went mad. – What do you mean nothing? We can’t let them throw away their lives like this!
- Young Padawan – Quinlan was shaking his head. – Even though I disapprove, both Obi-Wan and Aayla are grown adults. They’re the only ones who have a say in their destiny. Our opinion, however right we think it is, doesn’t matter.
Ahsoka was about to protest, but she didn’t know what to say. Who was she to stop the Masters from making the choice? Why would they listen to her?
- But I’ll tell you something. – Now Quinlan’s eyes were shining. -It's important that you give Obi-Wan your support.
- But I don’t support his choice – she replied.
- I know that. But a man like Obi-Wan, so dutiful, who finds himself questioning all he always believed in… Well, he’s going to need a shoulder to lean on, don’t you think?
Ahsoka felt her heart twist: if he was kicked out of the Order, Obi-Wan would be devastated-
- Sometimes peaple need our help even if they can’t have our approval - Quinlan went on, looking at Ahsoka as if he was expecting something from her.
She thought of Obi-Wan’s kind eyes, at his ever-ready smile after a mission, at the way he always made surre there was a smoking cup of tea for her after their mediation sessions.
She sighed: she might disagree with the choice Obi-Wan was about to do, but she would never turn her back on him.
- You’re right, Master Vos. I think it’s time for me to talk to him.
***
Obi-Wan had programmed that day weeks before.
After all, as GAR soldiers, they didn’t have a lot of leave days to be at the Temple. He himself had not set foot there for months, but the evening before he finally landed, ready to spend there three full days.
Between Anakin who would disappear immediately, as usual, and Ahsoka busy with her studies, he was presented with three days of rest and mediation, where he would be able to sleep, eat, interact with other Jedi who weren’t the exuberant Master/Padawan duo with whom he spent the last months with. Hence, some days with no upcoming threats.
But obviously, he underestimated the Skwalker chaotic energy.
What he never would have expected was that his ex-apprentice had managed to involve one of the most upstanding Masters of the Temple in his stunts.
The day of meditation and relax had started, in fact, with a rather conceited comm from Master Windu, who was asking him to go to his quarters.
Obi-Wan sighed, thinking that there had to be some sort of bureaucratic work to complete, and already mourning the loss of his precious rest.
What he found in Windu’s room, though, was almost worth it.
- Yesterday night I found Skywalker and Secura in the garden, immersed in an argument on the best way to counterattack when surrounded by B2 droids – Windu explained before letting him into his apartment. – Secura’s idea were sensible, but they lacked the right adaptability for some kinds of developments, while Skywalker’s… you know, I wonder how he’s still alive. So, obviously, I intervened.
- I see – Obi-Wan said. He didn’t, really, but the guessed that whatever included Anakin and Windu’s call first thing in the morning couldn’t be good.
- I told them that instead of two Jedi I felt like I was listening to two tookas who happened to find a lightsaber in their paws.
Obi-Wan suppressed a laugh. – Yes, I agree that, seen from the outiside, Anakin’s improvised plans must look quite unusual.
- For the last time, there’s no such thing as an improvis- Ah, nevermind. What matters is what I found in my quarters this morning when I woke up.
He opened the door with a flick of his hand and nodded for Obi-Wan to come in.
Obi-Wan, who expected some kind of bomb at the very least after such a reaction, had to use all his strength not to laugh.
Anakin and Aayla, because it was obvious that they were the culprits, had somehow managed to put two tookas in Jedi robes and to put them on the Jedi Master’s couch. One of the tookas, Obi-Wan hid a smile in seeing it, was a bright blue, while the other had a sort of blonde wig set on its head. Both of them had a cardboard cylinder painted to look like the hilt of a lightsaber.
- Mew – said Tooka-Aayla.
- Mew – agreed Tooka-Anakin.
Mace looked from the animals to Obi-Wan. – It’s unspeakable!
- Very – the Jedi answered, risking loosing his battle against laugh. – Where did they find a blue tooka? And those costumes, who knows how long it took to put them in.
- I meant that this is not the conduct we expert from a Jedi! – Windu was shouting, waving his hands in the air. – What are they, eight? Two generals of the Grand Army of the Republic, two prominent figures of the Order! It’s ridiculous, I will speak to the Council about this.
- Master, if I may…
Windu interrupted him with a disapproving gesture, and then he left for the hallway, where Obi-Wan managed to calm him down, promising he would speak with both Anakin and Aayla.
It would be hard do look his old Padawan in the eyes and speak as if the image of Windu looking in outrage at a tooka in a blonde wig wasn’t now forever sculpted in his memory.
The truth was that the war was squeezing all the innocence and the joy out of all of them. That gesture, however childish and maybe a little disrespectful, was one of the few remains of lightheartedness that persisted in Anakin, and Obi-Wan could not make himself berate him for this.
Ah, what would he give to go back to a few years before, where he immagine himselft next to Anakin not on the battlefield, but on a negotiation mission for the Republic, or maybe in an explorative expedition for the Order. Now, all that he saw every day were death and terror.
Yes, he told himself. Mace Windu’s quarters could gain from the precence of two a couple of tookas.
He was about to head to talk to Master Secura, if to congratulate her or to scold her he didn’t know yet, when something small and fast crashed against him.
- Master Kenobi! - exclaimed the small and fast thing, who was no other than Ahsoka.
- Where are you running to, young one? – he smiled at her, always happy to see his grand-Padawan.
- I was looking for you! – Ahsoka looked breathless. – I must talk to you!
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, confused. – What is troubling you this much?
- I… I wanted to tell you that you’re a great Master! – the Padawan said, with her eyes threatening to fill with tears.
Obi-Wan looked around, embarrassed, completely taken aback by that statement. He was about to thank her, but she wasn’t done.
- And it doesn’t matter what the Council will say, I’ll always be on your side, even though I don’t agree with your choices!
That confused him to say the least. – I’m afraid I have no idea of what you’re talking about.
- Of you and Master Secura! – Ahsoka was now speaking in what was supposed to be a whisper, but that was very clear to him and everyone nearby.
Luckly, the hallway was nearly empty, aside from a couple of Mon Calamari that didn’t look like they were paying attention.
- I know you have no intention to end your relationship, and I wanted to tell you that you can always count on my support.
- Ahsoka, what are you saying? – the Jedi exclaimed, incredulous. – Are you suggesting I have improper relationships with another Jedi Master? This isn’t like you, Padawan.
- It’s alright, Master. – Ahsoka smiled at him knowingly. – Master Vos told me everything, there’s no need to pretend.
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes so hard they threatened to turn inside his head. – Of course he did. And you believed him, obviously.
Ahsoka faltered, confused, and then her face lit with exasperation. – You mean this is a lie too? But then what were you and Windu talking about?
Obi-Wan gave her an accusatory stare. – Are you referring to our conversation of this morning? Our private conversation?
Ahsoka huffed. – It’s not a private conversation if you have it in a hallway.
- Is that so? – Obi-Wan said, pointing with his eyes to the very place they were standing in.
Ahsoka made a face. – Right. Oh, Master Kenobi, I apologize. I just thought… and then Aayla and Master Vos… I’m sorry, I should have talked to you instead of rushing to conclusions.
- I can’t believe your first guess was that Master Secura and I were breaking the Code. I didn’t think I left this impression on you, Ahsoka
She quickly shook her head. – Oh no, my first idea were Anakin and Aayla. You… you named them, and Master Windu compared them to a couple of Tookas and I thought…
Obi-Wan his his face in his hands. Goodbye rest, he thought.
- Ahsoka – he said. – What Master Windu was referring to was an actual couple of Tookas, which was kindly gifted to his care by your Master and Aayla Secura. Wigs and cardboard lightsabers could have been involved.
- What? – Confusion painted itself on Ahsoka’s face.
- The point is – Obi-Wan cut short, - that no one is having a relationship with anyone. It’s just a prank. Or well, a double prank. I’ll say a few words to Quinlan.
- So you didn’t break the code? – Ahsoka asked, lowering her gaze,.
- No – Obi-Wan confirmed.
- Nor did Aayla?
- Nor did she, no.
- Not even Anakin?
One day, Obi-Wan thought, his Padawans would be the death of him. But that was not that day. – No, not even Anakin.
- Oh. – Suddenly, shamed radiated from Ahsoka through the Force. – Master Kenobi, I’m mortified. I didn’t mean to disrespect you.
Obi-Wan put his hand on her shoulder. – It’s alright, young one. I’m afraid you have been the victim in a less funny prank than the tookas. But then again, Quinlan has been trying to play one like this for ages. It seems like everyone knows me too well to fall for it. Quin must have jumped at the chance with you.
- I know you’re a great Jedi, too! – Ahsoka rushed to say. – The best together with my Master! I never thought you were the type to break the Code!
Obi-Wan smiled kindly at her. – Thank you for your loyalty, Padawan, even though I’m not remotely the best Jedi. No, that’s not what I was talking about. See, something quite known about me is that I don’t have the slightest interest in that kind of… relationships, so to speak.
Obi-Wan sighed, without losing his smile. It was something he never really wanted to talk about.
Ever since he was a Padawan, he heard everyone complaining about how living up any kind of bond or relationship as Jedi was a burden, something that was accepted for the greater good, but that was still a big challenge for all of them.
For him, it was never like this, and with time the envious stared of his age mates for what at the time seemed like cheating became bewildered or compassionate stares. Poor Obi-Wan, he’ll never understand, they seemed to say.
Quinlan must have thought it would be fun to let Ahsoka believe him actually trapped in a situation like this.
- Uh, what? – Ahsoka looked confused again. – I don’t understand, Master.
Normally, that was a part of himself he never talked openly about, much like any other Jedi, but the way the Padawan had stated she would always stand up for him even though he had, according to her, committed a serious violation made him feel a great tenderness towards her.
Seeing her so confused brought him to talk earnestly. – You see, young one, I’m aware that most Jedi think of living physical relationships up is a great sacrifice. For some more than others – he added when a flash of Anakin’s smile to Senator Amidala surfaced in his minds. – But not for me. I’m not remotely interested in one, nor have I ever felt the desire foro ne. Master Eerin used to joke saying that my body was born on Jedi mode.
Ahsoka smiled at the joke, but looked weirded out. – But isn’t it something everyone wants? I mean, isn’t it normal to want it? Even if it stays just a wish?
- Of course it’s normal to want it – Obi-Wan reassured her, seeing the girl looked scared. – But it’s also normal not to want it. Actually, I think I’m in the big minority.
- And yet it would make sense that more people among the Jedi were like you – Ahsoka observed. – Wouldn’t it make everything easier?
- Maybe. Or maybe I’m just one of a kind.
- That’s for sure – Ahsoka rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. – I should have guessed you would have a superpower that makes you immune to Code violations.
The Jedi giggled. – Come, keep me company while I speak with Master Secura, so you’ll be able to amuse her with the report of your misadventure and she with the tale of how she his a blue tooka in Master Windu’s room.
- A blue tooka? Why would they do it? – Ahsoka asked, starting to walk next to Obi-Wan towards the turbo lift.
- It’s your Master we’re talking about, Padawan. Who knows why he does anything. Have I ever told you about the time he and Aayla declared war to an army of sentient plants?