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Anakin followed Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan to each of their apartments and helped them pack up all of their belongings. They left the boxes stacked outside the rooms for the Temple couriers to transfer to their new apartment for them. The three had spent most of the afternoon and part of the evening working and Anakin was very hungry.
The nearest dining hall was almost empty when they arrived, but the Jedi preferred it that way. It would only be a matter of time until the whole Temple found out about this unusual arrangement. And then their friends would want to know what was so special about Anakin Skywalker that required him to have two masters.
Qui-gon and Obi-wan were glad that their new apartment was in a different level of the Temple.
"This will be home in one fashion or another for the next several years." Obi-wan told Anakin as the three of them settled into their new quarters.
It was one of the medium sized and spacious apartments. The layout was a little different from the standard Master and Padawan rooms. This type of apartment was intended more for settled families rather then those who go on missions.
Anakin walked around while K-LE1 immediately began flying in and out of the different rooms. The tiny droid could fit into almost anything, she was no more than 10 cm across, with a domed top and flat bottom. And, a bright shade of baby pink.
The common room was large and an archway led to an alcove with large windows that could serve as an office or workroom. Anakin was delighted to see a great view of Coruscant. The kitchenette was actually a separate room instead of a simple unit along one wall like most of the Master/Padawan apartments. Next to it was the fresher. Two bedrooms were accessible from either side of the common room and the third bedroom's door was in the alcove. It had all of the standard and built-in furnishings.
Anakin claimed the room by the alcove. It was simple and small. But had plenty of cabinets for storing things. I'll fill those up with droid parts in no time. I can't wait to find all the best junk dealers. Laid out on the bed was a stack of Jedi tunics.
Obi-wan and Qui-gon looked over from where they were standing by the large window when Anakin came out.
"How do you keep from ruining your clothes?" Anakin looked ruefully down at his cream tunic.
"You be careful obviously." Obi-wan pointed out.
"If I was working on a droid I'd get this covered in grease and motor oil and the stains would never come out."
"I didn't know you had so many concerns about laundry, Ani." Qui-gon looked at him strangely.
"Well, I found out really fast that it cost a lot of money I couldn't spare to keep replacing ruined clothes." He referred to the three years he spent on his own.
"As you grow you can pick out darker tunics to compensate for your tendency towards greasiness." Obi-wan said slyly.
Anakin rolled his eyes at him. "Ha, ha, very funny." He said sarcastically.
The center of the alcove was empty and Master Qui-gon gestured that they all sit. They formed a triangle in a patch of evening sunlight. Obi-wan brandished a pair of shears and Qui-gon a comb. They made short work of Anakin's unruly sandy-blond hair.
The braid was the fun part. Anakin was fascinated as the Jedi used the Force to fuse together the ends of his cut hair with a lock of Qui-gon's brown and Obi-wan's ginger.
"Why do Padawan's have a braid anyway, besides the obvious reason?"
"This tradition began long ago and we have not re-discovered why." Qui-gon answered. "The reason it began is probably recorded somewhere in the ancient archives, many of which are nearly untranslatable. But yes, it is mainly to denote who is an apprentice."
"What do Jedi without hair do?"
"Those races sometimes have their own tradition. Like the Riahon tattoo their thin headtail when they become a Padawan and cut it off after achieving Knighthood." At Anakin's horrified look, Qui-gon explained. "It does not hurt and it grows back."
"At least we don't make our students shave parts of their heads to form words, like the monks of Ddo Yllaer do!" Obi-wan told him.
"Remember the acolytes of Enud? They are all required to dye the whites of their eyes blue." Qui-gon added.
The tiny pink droid flew near and looked curiously at the thin braid resting on Anakin's right shoulder.
"Kaely." Anakin looked at his hovering droid seriously. "I want to make it perfectly clear that you are never ever allowed to pull my braid."
Kaely chirped an absentminded acknowledgement.
"I am not kidding! I'll remove your arm attachment for a week if you do."
She gave him a mournful whistled and left to sulk. She had better not sabotage my room. Anakin thought.
"Anakin, since you were not raised in the Temple, we need to explain to you what a training bond is." Qui-gon prepared to give a lecture.
"All Masters build a mental bond with their Padawans for as long as they are training. Before I accepted Obi-wan as my apprentice a partial bond began forming between us without either of us attempting to initiate it." Qui-gon explained.
He looked at Anakin's wide eyes. "The Force decided to begin it for us and it was quite disturbing at first. It takes about a week to adjust to the bond. Having an additional presence in your mind can sometimes be disorienting in the beginning."
"This will be harder for you, Ani, because you will have to become accustomed to both of us." Obi-wan told him. "But it won't take long for you to become used to it. Don't be alarmed if you can't tell the difference between your own emotions and ours for a while."
"Does it let you do neat stuff?"
Qui-gon thought for a moment. "It allows you be aware of the other's general location and helps you find each other when separated. Also you know if the other is severely injured and you can call each other for help."
Obi-wan supplied more details. "With time and practice you can also use the bond to experience the other's senses. See through the other's eyes, hears what the other hears, etc. It's very useful when you don't where you are or you are in need of rescue." He smiled crookedly.
"However, at that level, you are affected by each other's experiences. If the other is in pain, you feel it as well." Qui-gon warned.
Obi-wan nodded. "Also, those who are very skilled in telepathy can use the bond to have a conversation. Though it usually will not work over large distances, it is very convenient in the middle of a battle or a precarious diplomatic conference."
"Now, Anakin." Qui-gon instructed. "Raise both of your hands." He placed his nearest hand's palm against Anakin's and Obi-wan did the same with Anakin's other hand. "Relax and clear your mind, but don't actually meditate."
In the dimming sunlight, they guided Anakin through the first step a Padawan takes to becoming a Jedi.
***
"Good morning, Anakin." Master Qui-gon said from the doorway. Anakin was unplugging Kaely from her recharge port.
"Good morning, Master!" He answered cheerfully.
"The 'fresher is free and Obi-wan has decided to prepare breakfast for us this morning."
Anakin was momentarily flooded with a sense of unease. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it when he realized that the sensation was coming through the training bond from Master Qui-gon. Anakin looked up at him sharply.
"Can he cook?"
"I don't really know. He has lived in his own apartment now for over three years and spent the bulk of that time away on missions. He knows the basics, but I'm not certain what he is doing in there." Qui-gon gestured at the closed kitchen door.
"Oh." Anakin mumbled as he walked past the kitchen door. It was much easier to sense Qui-gon and Obi-wan. He didn't really have to think about to know where they were and how they were feeling. And Obi-wan was in high spirits.
The breakfast turned out to be quite good, much to Qui-gon and Anakin's relief. They left to begin training soon after. There was almost a disagreement over whether Kaely could come, but Obi-wan knew when give in.
Anakin was thrilled by everything he saw as they walked through different parts of the temple. He walked between the two Jedi proudly. I think I've grown more. Anakin thought as he glanced over at Obi-wan. I'm almost as high as his chin.
"We will spend the whole morning in one of the larger training rooms to see what you can do. Think of every single thing you have tried doing on your own as well what you have practiced the most. This afternoon Master Tolaskrow will give you an academics test to see where you are at." Obi-wan told him.
"This evaluation process may take some time." Qui-gon reminded Anakin. "Also, the Council has decided to individually give you their lessons, rather then together. Each of them plans to have four sessions with you. The first Council member will give you a lesson one week and then once a week assessments for the three following weeks, more if needed."
"I understand... Kaely! Quit admiring yourself." Anakin looked back in exasperation. Kaely had discovered that the nearly opaque glass decoration along the hallway's walls was reflective.
She cooed and chirped at herself appreciatively. It was apparent that she really did like her pink paint job. She lingered just long enough to further annoy Anakin, but flew after them quick enough to not receive a second reprimand.
"I knew we should have left the droid." Obi-wan mumbled. Kaely honked at him derisively.
***
The training room was much larger then Anakin expected. It was very long with neatly stacked equipment along the walls, half of which he didn't recognize.
"Wouldn't a class be using this room?" Anakin's quiet words echoed in the cavernous space.
"Normally, however we've been given full use of it every morning until we know everything you can do. The classes have been rescheduled to other rooms for now." Qui-gon replied.
"Limber up and get ready for extreme exhaustion, Padawan." Obi-wan warned him.
Running and jumping seemed to be the best way to start. The Jedi directed Anakin to run the length of the room and rebound as high as he could off the wall. They made him repeat it several times to see how high he could go and test his endurance.
After that was the balance beam and a kind of tightrope. Anakin had no difficulties and landed each flip and jump perfectly.
"How often did you practice balancing?" Obi-wan inquired.
"Almost every day." Anakin flipped backwards twice before continuing. "It seemed like a good idea. If I was being chased and couldn't get away by normal means, it made things much easier to just jump out a window or run across a fence or leap across road signs. Whoever was after me could never catch me."
Qui-gon was concerned. "Who pursued you?"
"Well, the pirates. I did try to escape them a few times, but I wasn't too good at Force stuff then." Anakin's face was pinched as he recalled that year. But he dismissed those memories of pain from his mind. He knew he'd fall off if he didn't.
"I also had some problems with guards and the law enforcement on a few worlds." Anakin admitted ruefully. "And of course, those droids that Sith-thing sent after me were no fun."
Next, the Jedi sent him racing to the other wall and told him to leap onto each of the protruding ledges up to the rafters of the high ceiling. It was very high, high enough to make an ordinary person slightly dizzy. But Anakin loved it.
"Wow, you could fit a four level house in here. Hey down there!" Anakin waved from his perch. He heard a whistle behind him. Kaely had followed him up and was hovering sporadically. Anakin barely noticed her. He had taught her from the day he installed her wheels to follow him everywhere.
From the floor far below, Qui-gon spoke in a very low whisper. "Can you hear me, Anakin?"
When the boy didn't respond he repeated the question twice more, each time only a little louder then before. The fourth time he said it in a merely a quiet tone, and Anakin looked down.
"Yes, Master?"
Obi-wan nodded his approval. "I don't think he has ever practiced enhancing his senses."
"I agree, perhaps he is naturally perceptive." Qui-gon murmured to Obi-wan. He then called up to Anakin again in a normal volume. "Tell me how many green staffs can you see beside us?"
Master Qui-gon gestured to the wall. The bin full of multi-colored wooden staffs looked terribly miniscule from the rafters, but Anakin did his best to count them.
"I can see eight."
"Good."
"Ani, close your eyes." Obi-wan instructed. "Now tell me what color were the boxes stacked in the corner of the wall you rebounded on?"
Anakin concentrated. ARGG! I should've known they'd ask me stuff like this! He racked his memory of when they entered the room and of his run to that wall.
"Yellow."
"Correct."
Anakin sighed with relief. Kaely beeped out a little tune to congratulate him.
"Keep your eyes shut, Ani." Qui-gon reminded him. "When we first entered this room, was the rack of training sabers on the right of the door or the left?
"Left side."
"Tell me," Obi-wan said. "What color are the mats stacked by the wall below you?"
Anakin was stumped. Nervously, he frowned and squeezed his shut eyes even tighter. Come on... when I ran to jump on the ledges, what did I see? In a flash he remembered and couldn't help but grin.
"The mats are blue, but they aren't under me. They are halfway down the room." Anakin smirked. "Nice try, Master Obi-wan."
***
"Now, we need you to explain and demonstrate what else you can do." Obi-wan said when Anakin returned to the floor.
"Padawan," Master Qui-gon looked at Anakin seriously. "You have learned to effectively fire a bolt of energy, correct?"
"Yes, Master."
"How did you discover this?"
"Um, it first happened I think half a year after the pirates died. At night I was in a bad area of a city and I didn't know it. A couple of thieves grabbed my pack and I pretended I had a blaster to get it back. They didn't believe me so I tried making a light in my hand to blind them, but I couldn't make the light remain steady and it flashed quickly and went out."
"And it that had the appearance of a blaster bolt." Obi-wan surmised.
"Yes. They dropped my pack and ran even though that tiny blast wasn't strong enough to hurt anything and it didn't even make any noise. After that, I practiced, but it rarely worked. The last time I did it was when you caught me."
Obi-wan's voice was concerned. "You never told us about firing at that Sith."
"Oh, yeah, I guess you didn't see it. You all didn't come until that thing fired the big blast. Well, I thought at first that my shot worked really well. I was able to make the bolt much stronger because I absorbed the Sith's blaster shot."
Neither of Anakin's masters could conceal their shock. It rolled through the training bond. Anakin winced and they composed themselves.
"Okay, so that's another thing I shouldn't be able to do yet, right?"
"It is extremely rare." Obi-wan managed to answer.
"Anakin, start at the beginning and explain to us everything the Sith did." Master Qui-gon ordered.
"Well, he... it, whatever, was sort of testing me. The Sith kicked me around some, literally, and made a few threats. It didn't really hurt me until I kicked it in the face. That's when it broke my arm, and then it got out the blaster. I dodged as much as I could, but it quickly shot me in the shoulder. I hardly felt a thing! And then I just knew that the blast's energy would make my beam stronger. So I shot back, but the Sith just caught it in it's hand. And you know the rest."
They Jedi processed his explanation for a moment. Anakin tried to block out their feelings of concern and worry. Gotta be still, I won't be able to show them if I'm not calm. They weren't kidding when they said it would be hard to adjust to the bond!
"Are you ready?"
Anakin took a deep breath and nodded.
"Don't rush."
Anakin turned his back to the nearest wall and faced the length of the training room. Satisfied that he was far enough away from actually hitting any thing, he closed his eyes. For several minutes he concentrated, with his right hand held out with the palm upwards.
Nothing happened.
An excited beeping broke his failing concentration. They all looked over at the hovering droid. Kaely flew beside Anakin, opened one of her tiny compartments and fired a thin beam of energy into the air. She then trilled triumphantly at him.
"It's not that easy for me!"
"Don't yell at the droid." Master Qui-gon admonished him.
"Yes, Master."
Kaely gave an electronic snort and brandished her tiny laser at Anakin.
"Show off," Anakin mumbled at her and then his face brightened. "Kaely you're brilliant!"
Anakin reached out his hand. "Shoot me!"
Before either Jedi could react, Kaely instantly obeyed Anakin's command. Her tiny bolt slammed into Anakin's out stretched palm. He swung his now glowing hand around and pointed one finger. The white light doubled and flared. Silently, the energy bolt streaked across the room.
Anakin grinned, "Thanks, Kaely!" he lowered his hand and squinted at the other side of the room. "I hope I didn't hit the wall."
"Are you injured?" Obi-wan inquired.
Even though Anakin knew he wasn't, he looked at his hand, just to make sure before answering. "Not at all."
***
Anakin sat down with his lunch alone, not even Kaely was with him. They'd returned her to their apartment. It's just another new place. He reassured himself. Everything will become familiar soon. His masters had decided to continue evaluating Anakin's skills the next day. Qui-gon explained to Anakin that in the Temple the mid-day meal was a time to be with your peers. Anakin had a datapad with a general map of the Temple and easily found the large Padawan's Dinning Hall. It was a pleasant room and only half of it was filled with tables. Probably the approximate number of Padawan's here right now.
"Hello."
"Oh, um hi." Anakin stood up in surprise. An older Padawan approached him. He had an olive complexion and his dark hair had an unfamiliar glisten to it. Anakin knew he was tall for his age, but it surprised him to see that he was the same height as the older boy.
"My name is Elbaima Ecin. Do you mind if I sit with you?"
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Anakin Skywalker."
"My Master and I just got back from a long mission and I don't even recognize most of the people here anymore." He said sadly.
"Oh wow! How long were you gone?"
"Almost a season. Oh blaster bolts, I mean about three quarters of a Coruscant year." Elbaima sighed. "We spent a few months on Corellia, and I seem to have become too accustomed to their local slang."
"Uh, yeah. I haven't been here for three years myself. What does everybody do around here for fun?"
"There are many activities! I'm part of a swimming group. Would you like to join? There is a meeting every week. Sometimes that's the only way to find some of your old friends."
"I'll ask." Anakin tried not to look nervous. He was worried that Elbaima might ask him more about swimming or where he'd been the last three years. Anakin was grateful when Elbaima stood up excitedly.
"Suoicarg!" he called with a grin.
Another Padawan was carrying a tray to their table. Anakin didn't realize that she was a girl until she came and sat down. Her brown hair was longer then his and Elbaima's standard Padawan style. It was all twisted into a small bun at the base of her neck. Her braid was different, too. It was longer and had a thin lavender ribbon woven in it.
"I almost didn't recognize you Elbaima!" She had a lovely smile. "Good afternoon, I am Suoicarg Ydal." She nodded her head to Anakin.
"Ah! My manners! This is Anakin Skywalker. He has just returned after three years!"
"Um, hi." Anakin tried not to mumble. She looked older then him and Anakin couldn't help comparing her to Amidala.
"That is very long! Where did you go?"
"Mostly around some of the Mid-rim worlds." Anakin quickly tried to think of a way to change the subject. "Why do you have a ribbon in your braid?"
Suoicarg lifted one pale hand to the Padawan braid on her shoulder. Anakin noticed that her fingernails were naturally a pastel blue. I don't think she is human. he thought to himself.
"All girls do. Some of the others get silly and add metallic ribbons, but I think that could be dangerous in a fight."
"I see. Didn't guys have beads in theirs, uh, three years ago?" Anakin thought of how Obi-wan's had looked.
"Let me think... yes, but that was then. We don't right now." Elbaima explained.
A small stir began at the entrance of the dinning hall. Through the doors walked five Padawans, two were human girls, two were aliens Anakin didn't recognize and they were all lead by a very confident human male. They marched over to collect their meals and sat at a deserted table across the room.
Suoicarg and Elbaima sighed wistfully at the same time. Suoicarg looked at Anakin's confused face and explained it to him.
"That is Lavir Ruoy, the most famous Padawan in the Temple and those four are some of his Elite."
"Everybody wants to be friends with Lavir." Elbaima said as they watched a couple of Padawans timidly approach the Elite.
Anakin turned to his companions. "Okay I'll ask. Why?"
"He is the best."
"And he only associates with the best."
Anakin glanced back over at the Elite. "They look kinda like a gang to me."
"Oh no, they aren't mean to anyone." As if to prove what Elbaima said, they saw Lavir's face look remorseful and the two Padawans turned away from the Elite with sad but hopeful expressions.
Suoicarg clasped her slender hands on the table. "Those two will keep trying to prove themselves worthy to join his group, like many others have attempted to."
"Like the two of you?" Anakin said seriously.
His new friends were silent, but not ashamed.
***
Obi-wan was the first to return home. He had brought a packaged dinner with him from one of the dinning halls.
"No eating out?" Anakin asked as he set the table.
"Qui-gon and I thought it would be best. You can talk about your academics test in privacy here."
"So what did you do all afternoon?"
"Boring stuff. I've arranged for us to use one of the saber sparring rooms after dinner everyday. Except for the days that the Council teaches you. We don't know what they have planned, so when they are finished with their lesson you will have the remainder of the day free."
"Wizard!"
"Don't cheer yet, some of them may keep you busy until you drop." Obi-wan warned.
Obi-wan looked over at his Padawan curiously. "Anakin, when is your thirteenth birthday?"
"Next week, I was born on The Hyperspace Wars Remembrance Day."
Anakin didn't get a chance to comment on Obi-wan's surprised reaction because Master Qui-gon arrived.
He was carrying a datapad with Anakin's academic scores. "Hello Ani." He greeted and sat at the table. "Did you enjoy your afternoon?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Anakin replied as they ate.
Obi-wan picked up the datapad Qui-gon had set on the table. "Not bad, Ani." He handed the scores to the boy.
"I don't understand what some of this says."
"The bars on the left side show what is normal for your age and right one is where you are at. I was surprised that you did so well in the mathematics."
"Huh? Oh, that. I needed to know math to build and fix things in Watto's shop. So, he made sure that I learned a lot. And lately I've been making even harder stuff, like Kaely, and maintaining my ship, so I downloaded lots of tutorials and studied them during hyperspace jumps."
Obi-wan nodded. "You are about five levels ahead, and there probably isn't much else you'll need to learn in math."
"You will need to take a laboratory class in chemical science. That will be in the morning. History, economics, and writing lessons can be downloaded from our holo-terminal. You don't need to begin learning other languages until after you have caught up on everything else. All of the morning will be various Force exercises with Obi-wan and I. While in the Temple, it is customary for Padawans to spend the whole afternoon studying their school lessons and use it as free time."
"What about group things like swimming and stuff?"
"You mean the societies and sports?
"Yeah, fun stuff."
"Those are all formed and organized by the Padawans, Ani." Qui-gon explained. "Of course, the largest is always the Saber Dueling. I remember the Music Association was the most popular when I was training. Everyone wanted to write songs and perform them."
"There are clubs for just about everything, art, science, different Coruscant sports, though I rarely played those, watching two groups compete was always fun." Obi-wan added. "Perhaps you could form a droid building group."
"I made a couple of friends today and they invited to join a swimming group."
Obi-wan easily sensed Anakin's uneasiness. "And that is a problem because...?"
"I can't swim."
"We'll fix that."
Anakin nodded. "So how was your afternoon Master Qui-gon?"
"Busy. Until you are ready to go on missions, I will be teaching a class of Initiates every afternoon."
"This evening," Obi-wan said. "You'll begin katas and tomorrow you can start building your lightsaber."
***
The next day's saber lesson was tiring. Anakin examined the lightsaber in his hand. It was only a training saber and on temporary loan until he could build his own. He noticed its weight and balance and tried to find a comfortable way to grasp the handle. Activating it, he absently glanced at the orange blade.
The evening before Anakin had been excited when his masters taught him the first saber kata. However, today it was no longer fun. I just want to go to sleep. he thought miserably. I just want to forget about today.
Day two of Padawan training had been one disappointment or frustration after another. He was mortified to discover that all of the kids in the chemical lab class were initiates. He tried to not worry about it even though the nearest his age was a whole year younger than him. It also didn't help that he towered over all of them, even the teacher. I always thought it would be great to be tall. Anakin thought dismally. But it wasn't today.
The continuing evaluation with Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan was disheartening as well. No matter how hard he tried Anakin could not duplicate how he had walked through a laser shield. After several grueling attempts, Anakin could only stare at the immovable laser wall in defeat. His face burned with embarrassment when he admitted that he really didn't know how he had done it the first and only time.
After that, his masters tested him on Force exercises he had never attempted or thought of before. Anakin had no idea how to perform a mind trick. He'd never tried to heal an injury to himself. Telepathy didn't work either. When they suggested that he begin learning to meditate now that he could control his glowing, Anakin stared at them as though they had gone mad. They have got to be kidding! It's hard to stop the Force light, and I've done okay without meditating so far.
He'd been late to lunch and ate alone. Neither of his new friends were there having already finished and gone. Studying his lessons had been easy, but time consuming, that afternoon. He had completed two lessons per subject and even wrote an essay. It was all rather boring.
But the worst was starting to build his lightsaber. Never in his life had Anakin ever encountered a mechanical part that he couldn't immediately fix or construct perfectly. And Kaely had made a nuisance of herself and kept snatching the parts and flying off with them. The saber pieces were a confusing puzzle and after three furious hours Anakin gave up.
Qui-gon scolded him for becoming angry and Obi-wan told him that initiates build their own lightsabers when they are ten. Needless to say, Anakin didn't speak to either of them during the evening meal while they were in one of the large dinning halls. And he hardly noticed when he was introduced to a few of his master's friends.
Obi-wan's voice intruded on Anakin's depressing thoughts. "Remain steady, Padawan. You must keep your knees bent and step forward without straightening your legs. Your shoulders should remain level as you move."
"Yes, Master." Anakin sighed dismally. What will I need a lightsaber for anyhow? I could just absorb whatever someone shot at me. Maybe it's a good exercise thing. Or a fun way to torture Padawans.
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