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In the depths of the Jedi Archives, Master Yaddle swam through the mountains of books in pure delight. Hopping lightly from one perch to the next and up and down ladders, she hunted for one of the many tomes on her list. She hummed lightly to herself as she went about her task. The tuneless song quietly died on her lips as she felt someone approaching.
After a moment of wondering why she couldn't see the being coming towards her yet, she tapped deeper into the Force for the answer. She wasn't sensing someone nearby but rather, someone whose presence shined so brightly she could casually feel him coming even though he was not only outside of the archives, but down the hall as well.
"Ah," Yaddle murmured to herself with a smile.
It was several more minutes before her sharp ears picked up on the voice of the Padawan entering the maze of bookshelves.
"I don't care if it is pretty, I am not giving you a new paint job every week and that's final!"
A tirade of whistles and electronic snorts echoed in the massive room.
"And if you purposely mess it up, I'll let you stay that way for a month before fixing it."
As he made his way around the archives, Yaddle called out to him, "Greetings, Anakin."
Anakin peered around the shelves looking for the owner of the voice. But Yaddle was nowhere in sight. Oh great, she's going to make me find her. Resigning himself, Anakin just decided to let the Force pin-point her location and unexpectedly ran into a mental wall.
What is it with Jedi Masters? They just have to make every situation a lesson to be taught. Ha! More like, 'let's torment the Padawan every chance we get'.
But Anakin had something very useful that most Padawans lacked, a sidekick.
"Kaely," Anakin whispered quietly. "Master Yaddle wants to play hide and seek."
The tiny droid peeped conspiratorially and zoomed away.
Focusing heavily, Anakin let the Force wash over him and drag him along. He had to be careful not to let it carry him away. Anakin had never intentionally allowed the Force completely and opening flow. The only times that ever occurred was during his glowing bouts and he fought those for all he was worth. Anakin was very wary of what might happen if ever let the Force do what it liked with him.
Master Yaddle's cloaking skill was good, but not good enough. Within a minute, Anakin was able to know what area of the archives she was in even though he couldn't feel her precise location. The only real problem was how to get there. The pattern of bookshelves was very neatly and efficiently laid out near the doors, but as one went deeper it became a labyrinth of twists and turns. When he was forced to turn around and backtrack after running into the third dead-end, Anakin decided to do it the easy way.
Leaping nimbly to the top of the shelf he looked out across the large room. The space between the top books and the ceiling wasn't much. Anakin had to squeeze carefully through to not knock everything off. It was a slow process, but quicker and more efficient then wandering around on the floor.
As he progressed, Anakin became concerned, Where is Kaely? Is she lost?
Without a sound, Anakin's blond head popped into sight over the top edge of the last shelf he had to climb and he stared at the strangest office he'd ever seen. It was in what could have been the center of the room or the farthest corner. It was really impossible to determine the exact distance you were from the exits when sitting in the office due to its vantage point. But it did afford a great view of most of the massive archive.
"Come in!" Master Yaddle waved her small three-fingered hand at him.
Anakin complied and glanced around at the furniture perched on top of a wide platform spanning between two bookshelves. Yaddle had a tiny desk with a holo-terminal and cushions to sit on and many, many books stacked around her. Due to the low ceiling, Anakin had to scoot across on his knees. The drop down to the floor looked much farther then it really was.
Sitting on one of the piles of books was Kaely. She trilled in surprise when she noticed Anakin, but quickly returned to playing with a bright, metallic string in her grasping arm.
"Traitor," Anakin mumbled in disgust. "You were supposed to tell me when you found her."
"Defeat the purpose of the exercise, that would," Yaddle looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
Kaely paid her young master no attention and continued to toss the shiny toy that Yaddle had bribed the droid with to gain her silence. As Anakin followed Yaddle back down to the floor, Kaely amused herself by flinging the piece of cord and then zooming to catch it before it hit the ground.
Yaddle slowly lead Anakin through the maze and pointed out to him the books he needed. Anakin complied with a somewhat exasperated look on his face, Of course, just have the Padawan do all the fetching and carrying. How convenient.
As the pile grew higher, Anakin was grateful that it hid his face's expression from the small Jedi Master. It will take months for me to read all this! They are conspiring against me, I just know it!
"Last one," Yaddle stopped at the end of a shelf. "Fifth row."
Anakin reached up for a plain dusky orange book resting at the end, but paused. There beside it was another book with a familiar binding in brown. Realizing that it was another copy of the book Obi-wan gave him for his thirteenth birthday, Anakin picked it up instead.
"Not that one, the orange."
Anakin looked at her in surprise and then back at the large brown book in his hand. He levitated it in front him and picked up the orange book. Unlike the brown, this book had its title emblazoned across its cover.
"The Origins of the Mechanical Tools," Anakin read it aloud. "Why this one instead of the prophesy book?"
Anakin realized his slip and froze. Too late to stop himself, Anakin's face turned red and his emotions loudly echoed in the Force his anxiety and anger at himself for giving away a secret. There was no way that Yaddle wouldn't sense it.
"Read that one before have you?" Her question came across as more of a statement as she looked up at the un-marked prophesy book.
"Yes, ma'am," Anakin steeled himself for her response. Well I tried. I am allowed to know now, so what does it matter that I read it before? If Obi-wan gets in trouble for this...
"Tell the others I will not. No need now. However," She advised. "More secrets do not keep from us, Anakin."
Anakin could only nod in his relief. He sat the book back on the shelf, but was still puzzled about the orange book. Why would she want me to read this one? He stopped dead in his tracks as the answer came to him.
"You set me up!"
Master Yaddle glanced up at him with a bored expression.
"You already guessed that I'd read it, and you set a trap to make sure," Anakin accused. She probably figured it out when I was asking the Council questions, maybe even earlier. She never did ask me what book I needed that old dictionary for translating!
"Joy in mechanical things you have," Yaddle answered breezily. "Thought that book would interest you, I did."
Yeah, right.
***
Qui-gon nearly had to drag Anakin away from the books Master Yaddle had given the boy. Anakin had spent every moment of his spare time pouring over them and Obi-wan had caught him staying up late to keep reading the night before. They'd been concerned that they might have to threaten to restrict him from the books if Anakin let his other lessons slide.
Anakin's progress in lightsaber dueling had markedly improved and both his masters' were pleased at his new appreciation for it. Especially since much of the last month he'd not had the benefit of sparing with either Obi-wan or Qui-gon. At Anakin's last medical check up he'd been given a clean bill of health and the healers were happy to see that his injuries had caused no long term side affects due to their valiant efforts.
"Alright," Qui-gon said as he helped Anakin up from where the teenager had fallen. "That's enough for today."
Anakin gratefully walked over to lean against the wall. Qui-gon's idea of a good sparring match was one that left you exhausted and every muscle aching. If you weren't about to collapse afterward then you hadn't worked hard enough. They both looked up in surprise as they sensed Obi-wan approaching. The young knight strode into the training room with a grim expression.
Picking up on the mood and his masters' behavior, Anakin realized that they wanted to discuss something together before talking to him. It didn't happen often, usually they planned out what to do ahead of time and there was no need. But just to be polite, Anakin wandered away from them to the water dispenser and to grab a towel to wipe away the sweat pouring off his brow. Discretely, he watched as Obi-wan handed Qui-gon a datapad for him to read.
"Anakin," Qui-gon called him to return. "Obi-wan and I are being sent on a mission, tomorrow."
Anakin stared at them in horror, "But it's only been a few days! I thought you were going to be here longer?!"
"So did we, but circumstances have changed," Obi-wan clarified. "These two systems are very skittish about outsiders. Since Qui-gon and I have been to those worlds before and currently available, its only logical that we are the best choice to send to clear up this dispute."
"You aren't going to take me with you this time either, are you?" Anakin stated flatly.
"It is for the best Ani," Qui-gon calmly told him.
"Hasn't it been long enough? Or is this just because I was nosey and found out my midi-chlorien count?!"
"No, Ani," Obi-wan corrected him. "Its not that."
Qui-gon's soft voice intruded, "I have not felt any peace concerning when you should accompany us on missions again."
Anakin's face fell and he looked at Obi-wan in hope that he would disagree. But Obi-wan's expression and resolve never wavered.
"Even if you had not done that, Anakin, I feel that we still could not take you with us now. There is something else, indefinable at this time, that must be addressed," Obi-wan explained.
"And until we know what that is, we feel that taking you out of the Temple would be dangerous," Qui-gon tried to reassure Anakin. "Its not an issue of trust, but of safety to you and ourselves."
"The Force has not yet supplied us with details as to why going would be a danger, Anakin, only that you must stay for the time being."
Anakin still didn't look convinced, but had no reason to not believe them, either. "Why haven't I sensed that going would be a bad idea?"
Obi-wan tried not to look amused. Anakin groaned as he realized what he'd just said, "Never mind, don't answer that, please!"
Ask a stupid question... well at least they didn't reply the obvious, 'because we know a lot more about the Force then you do.' And its not like I have a choice in the matter anyhow. I should be glad that they are telling me as much as they can.
"Ani," Qui-gon interrupted his thoughts. "The Council has decided to resume their lessons with you and they can continue your training while we are gone. Your friend and his master are on a mission, so you will not be able to stay with them this time. Therefore, you will reside with one of Council members instead."
Qui-gon paused to let Anakin think about that idea for a moment. Abruptly, Obi-wan interjected, "It will only be a week and a half, at most probably two before we return."
A suspicious look flitted across Anakin face, "Oh no, not..."
"It will be good for both of you!" Obi-wan said with fake cheerfulness, trying and failing to persuade him.
Anakin stared at Obi-wan in exasperation, "What have I done to deserve this? Master Yoda does nothing but torment me!"
"As you do to him," Qui-gon quietly reminded him.
"But why him?! He does nothing but question me and treat me like a bug under a microscope!"
"Relax, Master Yoda isn't doing this involuntarily, he actually requested it," Obi-wan added.
"Even worse, he has some terrible torture planned!" Anakin almost wailed.
"You are over-reacting," Qui-gon stated.
"Why can't I stay with one of the others?"
Obi-wan raised one eyebrow, "Despite your objections, I have no reason to refuse him, Padawan."
Anakin's face crumpled in misery. I can't believe they are going to make me live with that troll!
"Be calm, this will not hurt you."
***
Seeing Qui-gon and Obi-wan off on their ship was no easier this time then the last. This afternoon departure was much worse. With the greatest reluctance they left Anakin. The 14-year-old was sullen, angry and resentful. And he made no effort to control those emotions. Only the knowledge that while under Yoda's care, Anakin would be safe, allowed Qui-gon and Obi-wan to leave on their mission anyway.
It's only a week and a half. Its only a week and a half... Anakin thought as a mantra in his head.
And maybe it will be less! He tried to encourage himself.
Little Kaely bobbed in the air behind him with uncharacteristic silence. She wasn't happy that they were going to Yoda's either. As they turned down the hall to Yoda's quarters, Anakin tried to compose himself. Knocking on Yoda's door while still angry would just give him more reasons to torment me.
He didn't need to knock or even ping the door's chime. The moment Anakin approached the door slide quietly open. The interior wasn't really dim, but it wasn't brightly lit either. It had a typical apartment layout, very similar to his own quarters with his masters. The furniture was all designed for Yoda and unusual lamps hung from the ceiling. All of the glow-panels were off.
Yoda didn't exactly greet Anakin, "Come," The old master hobbled across the floor and pointed. "That room you shall use."
Well, I won't say hi either, Anakin decided and dumped his bag inside the door of the bedroom. It was identical to the way his own room had looked when he first moved in with his masters. Plain and empty, with only the barest necessities.
This was Qui-gon's room. Anakin suddenly realized. Everyone knew that Yoda had not taken another Padawan in decades. According to Yoda, Qui-gon had been the last he'd ever teach. And yet, Yoda hasn't converted this room into something else. It's ready for another student at any time. Odd.
Kaely landed on the empty desk and emitted a quiet moan. Anakin pulled out her writing pad and stylus from his bag.
"Why don't you practice drawing," He suggested to the droid. Anything to keep her busy and distract her from her worries was a good idea. Anakin was having a hard enough time with his own, much less having to deal with Kaely's.
"Padawan Skywalker."
Anakin rolled his eyes when he heard Yoda's call, Oh great, it's 'Padawan Skywalker' huh? Why am I not surprised? He left his temporary room and returned to the main living area.
Yoda was in the kitchen end and pointed at the table, "Sit."
Without preamble, Yoda ladled two bowls full of his famous stew and brought them to the low table. Anakin watched him out of the corner of his eye and did his best not to react. If he thinks for one minute I'm going to cheerfully eat that...
Anakin rose smoothly from his seat on the floor and walked to the nearest kitchen cabinet. As he rooted around inside them, he felt Yoda looking at him without actually looking at him. Two can play at this game you old troll. Yoda didn't even turn his head in Anakin's direction.
Let's see how you like this! Anakin returned to the table with a handful of small spice boxes and silently began dusting his bowl of gruel with one and waited for Yoda to respond. It didn't take long.
"Good enough, it is!"
Just as I expected. Anakin glanced mildly at him, "I like a bit more spice then some people."
With out taking his eyes off of Yoda, Anakin deliberately coated the whole top of the gruel with a second spice.
The insulted look never left Yoda's face, "If dislike it, then say so you should."
Doing his best to imitate Yoda's infuriating coolness, Anakin replied, "I'm supposed to be learning how to be more diplomatic and find a better way out of things."
"Diplomacy, that is not!" Yoda pointed at the pile of spice boxes.
"And besides, why would I give you the satisfaction of punishing me by insulting your cooking?" Anakin said before he could stop himself.
Yoda's eyes reduced to slits.
Oh, well since I've goofed anyway, might as well go all out. Anakin decided.
"Didn't any of your Padawans refuse to eat this?"
"Certainly not!"
"Not even Qui-gon?"
If it was possible, Yoda looked even more affronted.
"Ha! You're really serious?!"
"Good apprentices they all were, grumble they never did."
Not where you could hear, obviously. Well, I'd suspected this place was full of drones, but to hear proof that its been this way for centuries...
"Learn to appreciate what you are given, you will," Yoda all but threatened.
Anakin was not so easily intimidated, "Or you'll what? Make me go to bed without dinner? That's not a problem, I can eat extra at lunch and grab a snack in the afternoon. And if you went as far as to insist I eat this gruel for breakfast too, I'll just find another way around it as well."
Anakin lazily stirred the spices into his bowl of gruel, Give it up, he wanted to tell Yoda, You try to force me and you'll lose.
Instead Anakin challenged, "Arguing over food is just petty. I wouldn't make you to eat something I knew you wouldn't like." Beside the fact that I couldn't anyway.
"Even try it, you haven't."
"Would you if you could avoid it?"
Yoda's hooded eyes bored into him. Oh, great now I get to have a staring contest with him. Anakin glowered right back.
"Learn tolerance," Yoda began to lecture. "Evading what you dislike is not always possible and so accept that, you should."
"Then I need to learn how to skillfully evade the things I absolutely can not and will not tolerate."
Anakin had a hard time not adding, Like poisonous food or drink. But he knew that, though a relevant example, it would only insult Yoda more.
"Only a week and a half," Yoda sounded like he was almost muttering to himself, but then he opened his eyes, "Remember that, you should."
"Absolutely," Anakin responded dryly. "It is foremost on my mind."
***
Anakin stormed down the hall and tried not to look like he was running away from the older Padawan behind him. Despite his efforts, the other teenager was keeping pace easily and was completely undaunted by Anakin's disgust.
"What part of 'no' do you not understand?" Anakin snapped.
"Can you give me a more plausible reason for refusing?" Lavir repressed a sigh.
"Plenty," Anakin was still frowning and tried to think of a way to escape. Maybe if I duck into the turbolift and use the Force to 'gently' prevent Lavir from entering?
Just as Anakin reached the turbolift, Lavir tried again, "No spectators!"
Anakin stopped to look back at him skeptically.
"I'm serious," Lavir answered his unspoken suspicions. "No one watching, I won't even tell any one."
"Not even the Elite?"
"Not even them, though," Lavir added. "There isn't as much of that anymore."
Anakin's eyebrows rose, "Really?"
"Yes, as your master said, this group will fade away with time."
Lavir said it much more eloquently then Obi-wan had. Anakin still was annoyed, "I haven't seen a difference."
"Well, this isn't something that I can just halt entirely all at once! Not even if I wanted to," Lavir continued stubbornly, "And before you ask, yes I don't want it to end, but it is inevitable."
Anakin rolled his eyes. Oh, and that's supposed to impress me?
Lavir ignored him and continued to list his excuses, "If I had tried to shut the Elite down, the others would just interpret that as if I was backing out of the group. And then they would simply elect a new leader." He paused dramatically, "So this is the most efficient way to handle it."
"And the only way you can stay in control until the end," Anakin stated bluntly seeing through his excuses.
But Lavir didn't react to the barb, he instead just gazed calmly at the younger teenager in silence.
"Why do you really want to spar with me?" Anakin asked suspiciously.
"I need a good partner to test my skills against, and to put it simply, I'm running out of challenges. I've learned my friends and my master's moves too well and can now defeat them all with ease."
"Contrary to popular opinion," Anakin's shoulders slumped, "I am not good at lightsaber dueling!"
"So you are a bit weak on the forms," Lavir brushed off his rebuttal, "You easily make up for it with your acrobatic Force skills and adaptability."
Anakin just shook his head. If I was good at adapting that Sith wouldn't have skewered me. This 'don't tell anyone about the Sith' rule is driving me nuts!
Lavir became tired of waiting for an answer, "Do you have any other objections to sparring with me?"
"Not really."
"Then shall we meet here this afternoon?"
Anakin looked at the older Padawan warily and against his better judgment answered, "Alright."
Lavir smiled in satisfaction and left the turbolift alcove in high spirits. Anakin enter the lift and keyed the floor of Yoda's apartment. His thoughts were all in a jumble. I need to stop worrying. After all, if he is a pest or tries to bully me again, I can always just quit. And maybe dueling with him will improve my skills. Wouldn't Obi-wan and Master Qui-gon be so surprised!
***
"Master Yoda?"
The wizened Jedi Master looked up from his reading. Anakin walked over to him and sat on the floor. There were no chairs big enough for Anakin in the apartment except for the one at his desk in his room.
"Do you know Lavir Ruoy?"
"Yes," Yoda blinked lazily. If Anakin wasn't so nervous he would have sensed that Yoda was concealing his surprise that Anakin's more humble and timid attitude had suddenly returned. It was a far cry from the haughty and stubborn boy of yesterday evening.
"He wants me to spar with him every afternoon."
"My approval, you have," Yoda agreed pleasantly. "Want you to practice with the older Padawans, your masters do."
Anakin's worried demeanor didn't change, "I don't like Lavir."
"Then a double lesson it shall be," Yoda looked at him quizzically. "Improve your skill with a saber while improving your diplomacy."
Well, yeah that's true. I need to work on that. Anakin racked his brain for a way to explain the confusion and uncertainty he felt.
"Distress you greatly this does?"
"Yeah," Anakin only muttered.
"Spar once," Yoda advised. "If still distressed you are, another partner Padawan Ruoy must find."
I can do that. And Lavir won't be able argue about it either. I'll just tell him that I'm not benefiting from practicing against his style or something like that.
With a hint of a relieved smile beginning to form, Anakin hopped up. "Thank you, Master Yoda."
Yoda did a good impression at nodding absently, "Welcome you are," In an excellently faked bored tone he added. "Re-stocked my pantry is, fend for yourself tonight."
Anakin just smirked as he went to fix his dinner.
***
Anakin trotted down the hall in relief. So far, Yoda's idea of training meant lots of meditation and the more mundane skills. The simple exercises were just boring. I could do them in my sleep they require so little concentration. Meditation was another issue all together. Anakin had dutifully sat quietly while the old master meditated, but as of yet Yoda hadn't directly ordered him to meditate. He probably will though.
It was with great relief that Anakin left to attend the prophecies class held in the late morning. Ah, freedom until dinnertime.
The classroom was more like a lecture hall and was already filling with students. Anakin meandered his way towards the middle rows and quickly claimed a seat. Doing his best to ignore the chatter around him, he focused on the datapad in his hand.
"Anakin?"
Oh, I knew someone was going to recognize me! Irritably, Anakin looked up at Lavir Ruoy as the 19-year-old sat down in front of him.
Lavir raised one dark eyebrow, "This class is for older Padawans -"
"Yes I know," Anakin interrupted. Leave it to him to try and tell me that I've got the wrong classroom, "I do belong in here, I have special permission."
"Really?"
Now isn't this intriguing? Anakin thought lazily.
Lavir did look very curious, "And why were you given that permission?"
"I'm not allowed to say," Anakin bit back a smirk. Chew on that!
Lavir plainly didn't like that answer at all, "So, I hear you are staying with Master Yoda?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"It must be a great honor."
Anakin shrugged, "And how did you find out?"
"People notice and news gets around. You know how it is."
"Yeah, I know how it is."
Anakin didn't get a chance to say more because the instructor arrived. Lavir turned around to face the front of the class and Anakin glared at the back of his head. Yeah, I know how it is. You and your little spies.
The voice of the teacher dragged Anakin away from his angry thoughts. She was already in the process of beginning the lesson.
"... to give you an example, we will start with the Lufwa Massacre Prophesy, which was prevented from occurring three centuries ago..."
***
Later that afternoon, Anakin found himself reluctantly stretching his muscles and limbering up for his lightsaber match with Lavir. Lavir stood at ready with a grin on his face. His lightsaber glowed a deep forest green, "Which would your prefer to start with? Offense or defense?"
How magnanimous of him to let me choose. Anakin thought sarcastically. In Anakin's only sparring match with Lavir, he had spent almost the entire fight on the defensive until the very end when he had used a burst of the Force to disarm Lavir.
"I'll do the attacking," Anakin decided. Let's see how long you last this time, he thought smugly.
"Excellent," Lavir agreed with an equally arrogant smile on his face. "In tomorrow's match you'll be on the defensive."
There won't be a match tomorrow if I can help it.
Without bothering to answer, Anakin took two quick strides forward and launched himself at Lavir. They both moved swiftly and Lavir warded off each of Anakin's blows with ease. With in minutes he had driven Anakin backwards with his strong parries.
Anakin retreated nimbly and watched his opponent. Lavir didn't move, but waited for him to attack again. I'm not going to be able to overpower this guy with strength. Anakin realized. Not only is he stronger physically, he is also still a little bit taller and his arms reach farther. Add to that he has been using the Force much longer then I have...
For the first time Anakin began to doubt that he'd win this fight. I'm faster and stronger in the Force. That's all. Anakin began to circle Lavir. That will have to be enough.
Anakin leaped into the air flipping upside down and swung his lightsaber at Lavir's head from above. However, Lavir was ready for aerial attacks and harshly blocked the strike. It jarred Anakin's whole right arm badly and nearly made him drop his blue lightsaber.
As Anakin landed on the ground behind Lavir, the older teenager spun around to face him. Anakin griped his lightsaber with both of his hands and returned to more simpler thrusts and attacks.
That hurt! Anakin tried to ignore his throbbing wrist, I hope he doesn't notice that I'm favoring it.
The more they fought the more frustrated Anakin became. Why can't I find a hole in his defense? The last time I saw several. What's he done? Breathed dueling over the last few months?
At last, Anakin began to see a pattern, He keeps blocking from below and rarely raises his blade higher then his shoulder. Seeing his chance to end the match, Anakin turned his body sideways and swung his blade in a wide arc at Lavir's collarbone. Quickly, Anakin backed up to stand almost beside his opponent in order to avoid being hit by the upward parry he was expecting.
Instead, in one smooth motion Lavir twisted to dodge the blade and grabbed Anakin's forearm. With a swift leg sweep Anakin easily dumped Lavir on the ground and pulled out of his grasp. Anakin lowered his blade to rest by Lavir's neck.
"Kill point," Anakin smirked.
"Same here."
Anakin blinked in surprised and looked down to see that Lavir's green saber was right under his arm. Just the slightest movement and a fully powered lightsaber could cleave him in half and he'd have no way of stopping it.
Wow! I never saw that. Anakin backed up and deactivated his lightsaber while Lavir rose to his feet.
"Delightful match, Anakin."
Anakin had to stop himself from beaming at the older Padawan's praise. Idiot! Don't fall for his tricks.
"Until tomorrow!" Lavir called out as he left the training room.
"Yeah, bye," Anakin replied absently. He slowly walked over to his stuff and thought about how the battle had progressed and what he could have done to prevent Lavir's killing blow and still win anyway.
"Oh, no!" Anakin halted just inside the exit to the hallway. "I just agreed to spar again tomorrow!"
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