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oh_what_can_it_meanThe author of ATLL and its sequels wanted me to make it clear that what I'm writing in the Arala Melnau 'verse is different from the Little Lights Stories. Which it certainly is. The setting of the ATLL 'verse and the original characters are a starting off point, not a Writer's Bible. It is a *VERY* alternate AU of an AU.
link to the ATLL series
Tea on the South Terrace:
A white-haired Kiffar with prosthetic legs introduced himself as Master Bes and was inordinately delighted when Obi-Wan held out the tray and let him select his own cup rather than handing him one.
“You have good Kiffar manners, Knight Obi-Wan,” he smiled. “The docents are nice enough, but they don’t get a chance to learn finer diplomacy.”
“One of my neighbors is Kiffar,” Obi-Wan explained. “And I’ve been to Kiffu before.”
--
Tea on the South Terrace:
Master Yoda gestured around the circle. “Master Bes excellent field Jedi was. Very good negotiator. Retired now.” He nodded at the Twilek. “Master Denna. Also field Jedi and researcher. Editor of meditation book gave you I did.”
“Ah,” Obi-Wan nodded at the elderly woman. “I’ve found your book to be very helpful.”
“Good to hear Jedi are still reading it.” She sipped her tea. “Master Yoda drafted a few of the telekinetic meditations. That was a challenge to edit.” She leaned forward. “Have you read chapter six?”
“Um, it was very informative.”
“Teasing you she is.”
Obi-Wan turned to Yoda in surprise. “You asked me the same thing.”
Yoda laughed. “Yes, my job to ask it is. Watch out for you someone must. Ask everyone Denna does.”
“Meditation is self care,” Denna replied. “All forms are important.”
“Knight Sophia Loris,” Yoda spoke quickly to head off a lecture none of them wanted to hear. “Worked with Tahl in archives did. Help us old people sometimes does. Helped find file for art print.”
Knight Loris laughed. “That was a bit of a challenge, Master. ‘Find a six-hundred-year-old painting in the Archives for a fairly obscure artist with a huge portfolio of commercial work, can’t remember the title. It’s a Jedi with a lightsaber.’ From a Jedi artist. All of her portrait work was of Jedi, nearly all of them with lightsabers.”
--
Tea on the South Terrace:
“Commercial work?” Obi-Wan asked.
“Oh, yes,” Sophia put down her cup, eyes lighting up. “She painted portraits of knights, masters, padawans, all sorts of Jedi for a PR campaign. Painting and prints would go to embassies, satellite temples, hostels that Jedi would stay at. Monarchs and political leaders would display them to show support of the Jedi. Families who gave up children to the Jedi also bought many of the prints. They served to help people empathize with the Jedi, make us seem less other.”
“Helped connect to people did.” Yoda rolled his eyes. “Enjoy posing I did not.”
--
Tea on the South Terrace:
Knight Sophia pulled the pic up on her comm and passed it around to all except Yoda’s delight. “When I finally found it there was great debate amongst the staff as to whether it was Master Yoda or not.”
Obi-Wan laughed. “I thought it was obvious myself, but I’d have to say it’s split about fifty-fifty with my visitors, half of which ask if it’s Master Yoda or comment that it looks like him, and the other half who think the print is everything from a Jedi from the ancient sagas, a character from mythology, and even from a holonet role-playing game. There is general consensus that his hair is awe-inspiring.”
Si laughed. Yoda poked Obi-Wan with his gimer stick. “Tease you should not,” but he smiled when he said it.
“I was serious,” Obi-Wan protested. “I saw two of my neighbors trying to do hair wraps on each other.” The group laughed.
Yoda sighed. “Fashion icon I am not.”
“You have a style that is your own, Master.”
Master Bes coughed ‘diplomat’ under his breath before passing the pic on.
--
Tea on the South Terrace (end):
Yoda put his hand on the palm reader. “Promise I do, next time no chores, no sparring. Make tea you still might.”
“I don’t mind, Master. You have a good night. May the Force be with you.”
“May the Force be with you. Don’t sleep on shoulder.”
Obi-Wan laughed as he headed back toward the lifts, his spirit lighter and his mind full.
--
Master Gi-Ho,katas expert
From Quin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda, Breggle at Obi-Wan's:
“This is much more interesting that the art history classes I’ve taken. This is actual history.”
Obi-Wan leaned his forehead onto his hand, as if he were sensing some foreboding in the Force.
“Heh, history not. Memory is.” He wiggled his ears again. “Young in painting, Green Dragon is. Kind? Hmm, yes, but young. Busy. Not patient enough. Kinder later. Grouch? Hrmm. Surly sometimes. Not grouch unless very bad times. Strong in Force, yes, but learning still what abilities had. Unifying yes. Living yes. More Living a bit at this time. Not mature enough yet to sense time, to feel how fast future comes.” He pointed at Obi-Wan with his gimer stick. “Have that problem you do not.” He turned back to Vos. “More balanced later.” He leaned back again, thinking. “Break Code? Hmm, depends on interpretation. Stub toe in dark and curse, break Code. Take joy in Force, break Code. Emotions we have. Be ruled by them we should not. Have joy he did. Have sorrow he did. Moments of anger, yes. Dark times, yes. Fear, doubts, yes. Long life he had. Find love, yes, few times. Lose love, yes. Turn to Darkness, no. Grieve loss, yes. Attachment, always struggle is, but shirk duty for love, no.”
Both Obi-Wan and Quinlan stared at his with rapt attention.
“Ladies’ man?” He snorted. “Definitely not. Too short.”
“Really?” Quinlan looked back, scrutinizing the print again. “Huh, there really aren’t any landmarks to tell us how tall he was. He’s very proportionate.”
Yoda wiggled his ears more vigorously. Obi-Wan bit his lip.
“A few nice ladies, relationship with he had. Overlook size they could.” Yoda sipped his tea. “A few nice gentlemen too. Monogamous, no. Promiscuous, not really. Jedi then like now. Multiple partners, avoid attachment.”
“Did that work better then?” Quinlan asked, in all seriousness.
“Balance love and attachment eternal struggle is for Jedi. No one answer for everyone is. Find own path each must.”
[...]
Yoda wiped his eyes with his napkin. “Laugh that hard in a long time I have not.” He straightened in his seat, putting his robes to rights as Quinlan sat back down, still laughing himself. “Ladies man I definitely was not.” He raised his hand level with the top of the head. “Tiny I am. Get new partner, grateful I was. Not lonely, but swinging bachelor not.”
[...]
Yoda frowned. “Make face I do?”
“You do,” Obi-Wan confirmed. “But when I’ve seen it, you were usually holding your morning caff, not your lightsaber, contemplating some aspect of the Force that was beyond my perception.”
This set off another fit of giggles in the ancient master. “Contemplating Force I am not. Waiting for caffeine hit I am.”
Quinlan barked out a laugh of his own.
Obi-Wan shrugged. “Well, you made it look very deep and professional, Master.”
[...]
Yoda almost looked mischievous. “Understand context you must. Take very long it does my species to grow up. Spend whole youth at Temple I did not. When small was, learned of Force, learned meditation, learned reading, learned maths. Too small was for saber drills. Too fine bones were. Body not catch up to brain. Left Jedi I did, go out into galaxy. Meet people. Get bigger. Came back when stronger I was, then padawan I became.”
“And when you came back, they called you Dragon?”
“Hmm, yes. Dragon I was called. Took while to adjust, fit back into Jedi path. Not raised in Temple, so adjustment anyway, but away from Jedi long time was before commit I did.” Both knights were looking at him intently. “Understand you must, traveled several years I did with spacefarers. Not diplomatic ships. Freight haulers. Miners. Refugee ships. When back I came, quiet I was not. Feisty I was. Loud I was.” He paused, peering at each of them. “Potty mouth I had.”
Quinlan slapped a hand over his mouth, failing to smother his laughter. Kenobi fared no better.
“Oh, Master Yoda, you really did breathe fire!” Vos was laughing so hard he was gasping for air.
[...]
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to talk me up to the other knights.”
“Yes, I do.” Yoda’s eyes twinkled. “Talk you up you will not. Master Jinn can’t brag about you. Finish job he did not. Clearly, my job this is.”
Obi-Wan shook his head as he straightened up. “I’m making friends.”
“You are,” Yoda sounded pleased. “Like you Knight Vos does.”
“You are as bad as Bant. I’m not looking to date anyone.”
“Not ready you are?” There was no judgement.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “Master Yoda, I, . . . I don’t really feel lust for other people.” He braced himself for the response.
“Hmm, surprise me this does not.”
[...]
Yoda reached out with the Force to move the crate to the floor in front of the couch, then slid over until he was sitting next to Obi-Wan. “Strange you are not. Get to know people you do here,” he tapped Obi-Wan’s forehead. “Trust them here, before trust them here you do,” he tapped Obi-Wan’s chest. “Like this you have always been, even as child.” Yoda sighed. “Understand you Master Jinn did not. Feels people he does first with heart, not head. Sometimes first with Force. Sometimes first with gonads. Confuse these he can, but realize this he does not.”
[...]
“So how did you find someone? Did you just . . . trust the Force?”
“Hrmm, yes. Trusted Force. Opened mind.” He put his hand on Obi-Wan’s knee to emphasize the point. “Discovered short women.”
“Short women?”
“Height closer, work better did. Point is, not everything problem is. Seemed insurmountable at time, no one like me there was. In end, matter not. Know I do not what work for you will, but complicated as you think it is not.”
--
“That’s standard Jedi training, navigating by the Force and the stars.”
--
Yoda stretched again, then kicked him gently on the thigh. “Go. Play. Old master take nap will.”
Amused to be kicked out of his own bed, Si stood up and slipped into his silk robe, put on his spectacles, then sat in a chair with an art pad and charcoal. He glanced around the room for inspiration, before settling on Yoda, who had laid back down on his stomach, chin resting on his crossed arms. He began to sketch quickly, knowing his hands would soon be shaking too much to continue.
[...]
“In my will it says to put this pad under my body before the pyre is lit. You’re welcome to keep it of course, but hopefully that will prevent any trauma after I’m gone.” He sketched in the relaxed curve of Yoda’s ears, the graceful lines of the master in repose. “You’re surprisingly well-muscled, given your age.”
“Pot, kettle meet.”
“Old habits and P.T.” He began putting in some shading.
--
“The rest home gets a bit dull,” Si was a touch defensive. He looked at Obi-Wan. “What do you think?”
“About Master Turvis becoming a brother? It would be rude for a student to speculate.” Yoda raised a brow, staring him down. “Didn’t bet, but less than six years, definitely.”
The elders laughed. Yoda patted his knee.
“Attuned to Force you are. Overshare Force does sometimes, yes?”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed.
“Hee, yes, Turvis and Ospen platonic love affair can carry on better if join monastery he does. Happy they would be.”
--
“Did you use the Force to make them feel better?” Bail asked.
“Oh, hell no,” Bes sat up straighter. “I’m not stupid. I wasn’t going to deplete myself to make my enemy feel strong enough to attack again. I used the Force to make their body direct more of their healing energy to the wound. They would heal better and probably hurt less, but it would sap their strength so they would be less likely to try anything dangerous.”
--
Yoda pointed his gimer stick at Obi-Wan. “Made me fat he did.”
“I did?” Obi-Wan seemed stunned.
“Yes. Fat. Gained weight when live with you I did. Both times. When young you were, make tea always you did. Fetch dinner for me you did. Keep pantry stocked you did. Homesick you were. Missed master you did. Growing boy you were, but very stressed. Try to get you to eat I did. Almost chubby I got.”
Si laughed quietly. Obi-Wan looked apologetic.
“Hmm, when young man you were, even worse. Cook you did. Come home I would, dinner made would be. Wake up in morning, make breakfast you would when still trying to wake up I was. Heh, servant I needed not, but make sure fed I was you did.” Yoda leaned back on the couch and patted Obi-Wan’s knee. “Good boy you were. Wanted to take care of me you did. Now good knight you are. Worth it, it was, even if love handles I get.”
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to apologize.
“Oh, please, Master. You don’t have love handles,” Si scoffed.
“Fatter I am.” He pointed at Obi-Wan with his thumb. “All his fault.”
Si leaned over to pick up his tea, staring Yoda down. “I’ve seen you naked. No, you don’t.”
Bes coughed on his tea, slightly scandalized.
“What did Healer Les say about this supposed weight gain?” Si asked.
Yoda sighed. “Healthy weight was. Too thin I was getting.”
Si sighed deeply, a long-suffering look on his face. “Love handles.” He looked at Obi-Wan. “You made him eat and sleep at regular times and forced him to delegate work. He ended up a healthier weight, with better skin and you replaced all the robes he had since Cin was his padawan. You did a good job.”
--
Yoda shrugged. “Pry I did not, see enough I did. Would have guessed if see I did not.” Yoda grew quiet a moment. “Healers thought escaped you did before rape?”
“Yes.” He wrapped his arms around himself. “They threatened and manhandled me, but I escaped before they got very far.”
“Use the rock you did to fight off attacker?”
Obi-Wan winced, not realizing Yoda had seen so much. “Yes, Master.”
Yoda leaned forward and patted his knee. “Good boy. Resourceful you are.”
“Master Drallig told us that the skills used in Breggle could be applied to combat and defense.”
“Yes, very useful skills they are.” Yoda looked at him intently, though Obi-Wan had lowered his head. “Hurt like that before you have been?”
“No.” Obi-Wan made himself raise his head and look Yoda in the eye, despite the twin anchors of anxiety and fatigue weighing him down. “No. It’s not the first near miss I’ve had, but I’ve never been raped.” He hunched in on himself. “This was the first time I was captured when I was alone in the field.”
--
From force thread Yoda saw:
“Quinlan, I don’t know how much you can sense but,” he took a deep breath. “I don’t feel lust like most people. I have to trust someone very much, and care about them before I feel any attraction.”
Qui-Gon and Anakin and Marcus at Dex's:
“I don’t want to live with Master Yoda,” Ani colored in another speeder on his menu, this one yellow. “Mookie says that the ceiling is really low, and all the visitors have to crawl around his quarters.”
Marcus and Qui-Gon burst out laughing.
“Are the initiates still telling each other that?” Marcus snickered, then looked at Anakin. “That isn’t true.”
“His ceiling is little bit low, but even I only have to stoop a little bit.”
Before going to Dex's with Jitters, Vos, and Carlin:
Kenobi was coming out of his own room again and when he caught back up to Jitters he handed him a ration bar. “To tide you over until we get there.”
Jitters was going to decline, but his suddenly howling stomach clearly had other ideas. “Thanks.” He dug in as they waited for the lift, hungry enough that the bland, cardboard-flavored bar tasted great.
In therapy:
Vygor shook his head. “I think you misunderstood me. Retaining old training bonds after knighting is not unusual. Very often they develop into bonds of friendship as they lose the pendantic aspects, and former masters take on new padawans and young knights take padawans of their own.
Scrip account, Stores:
“What the hell am I going to do with thirty-two thousand credits in scrip?”
Bes giggled some more. “Buy Master Yoda socks and underwear?”
“He doesn’t wear socks.” Si seemed bewildered. “His underwear is custom made though. He used to complain about padawan underwear being so much cheaper until I convinced Stores to make a bulk order because he would live long enough to use it all.”
--
In the middle of the night, Master Yoda woke up as was his wont, and decided to check his messages. There were a few updates on Council business, some personal correspondence, some automatic notices.
Obi-Wan and Bant's swamp camping trip:
Bant knew her own S-evaluation was less extensive than was typical for humans due to having a mating season. Siri had reported hers had gone on *forever* due to her history of emotional volatility.
[...]
Bant thought back on how Obi-Wan had spoken of Satine when he and Master Qui-Gon had returned from that mission. They were all quite sure Obi-Wan had a crush on the girl, and equally sure he hadn’t acted on it, but she had always assumed he had wanted to, that he would take time for himself to think of her and stimulate his privates when he was alone, the same way she would lie submerged in the tub, draw water down deep into herself, then stroke her folds over and over, imagining it was her master’s hand, having absurd fantasies of presenting her eggs to her master, no matter that they were both female, no matter that Tahl was near-human. She would rub and imagine it was Tahl’s hand stroking her there, that Tahl’s hand would slowly, teasingly slip inside to stimulate a release and it would feel so good, it would come in waves like the water in the lagoon, and she would lose herself to it, moaning under the water.
She knew humans did similar things, rubbed themselves alone or with lovers. She got older, and then it was her beloved master’s hand stroking her patiently, not just there, but all over, and then it was inside and it was wonderful, it was so much better than doing it alone, and she was so eager they once did it every night for a full week straight and she began to understand why her master so enjoyed visiting with Master Qui-Gon. Then her master had shown her how to pleasure a human female, how to feel a lover in the Force, and what it felt like to make love to someone you shared a bond with, and it was awkward and messy and wonderful as she learned what made her master moan and cry out behind closed doors. It was a beautiful experience, when she had truly learned to feel the Living Force inside herself, to feel another being’s pleasure, and to feel her master’s deeper love through their bond.
[...]
Those strong in the L tended to build bonds in real time, growing slowly, then rapidly expanding if the bond was healthy. Those strong in the U tended to lay the foundations of a bond ahead of time, their brains laying the groundwork so it was ready if needed, often giving the sensation of a spontaneous, often instantaneous connection when contact was made.
Si and Bes after their first kiss:
“You do realize I have sex with Yoda on a fairly regular basis, don’t you?”
Bes’s eyes widened. He had forgotten that in the rush of the kiss.
“He’s less than half my height and more than ten times your age,” Si continued. “And green. And his feet are Force-damn freezing all the time.
[...]
Si wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “Master is the only person I’ve been intimate with in,” he frowned, trying to remember. “Too long. But no, I am not the only lover he keeps. Far from it.” He shook his head. “I can’t keep up with him.” He laughed again. “Besides, even if you and I did eventually decide on an exclusive relationship, Master’s not going to run out of lovers anytime soon.” He snorted. “The horny little toad still has game as they say.”
“Really?” Bes tried not to imagine.
Si chuckled again. “Let’s just say that the Green Dragon is still taking on new riders.”
Quinlan and Bes at the art show:
“Gris Reddy? Yes, he was a contemporary of Si. Maybe a little older. Brilliant man. Worked in Archives in Information Logistics. Spent long hours waiting for intel to come in. Used to paint while he was waiting. He and Si were good friends with each other and also with Nico Aleut. I know Nico sold some of Gris’s work. He even did a show once.”
[...]
“And he has almost all of his own teeth! That’s huge in the rest home.”
Quinlan laughed outright. Psychometric persons learned way too much about their partner’s dental work.
Qui-Gon about Si, to Tahl:
Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. “Monti hasn’t been in the field in twenty years and even then, that was libraries and archeological digs. And Silvanus,” he made a disgusted noise. “He’s always been a . . . “
“A what?” Tahl asked, a note of warning in her voice.
“A powderpuff,” Qui-Gon mumbled.
“A powderpuff?”
“You know, all style, not backed by substance and skill.”
“Because he’s an artist?”
“I suppose as a Temple-based Jedi he had more freedom to indulge his hobbies, but he wasn’t committed, to the Order or the Force.”
“Is that your opinion or your master’s?” Tahl asked.
Jinn grumbled.
“Or do you choose to believe Master Silvanus is shallow in his commitment to the Force because he so often butted heads with you?”
“Master Dooku and I were in agreement in regards to Master Silvanus.”
“Why?” Tahl’s expression revealed she clearly did not agree. “And if I recall correctly, even Master Dooku warned you that Master Silvanus was not to be trifled with in the salle.”
“He . . . associated with half-drunk artists, spent too much time dancing and slept around. A lot.”
[...]
“How do you want it?” she asked as she began to tease him with the lubricated toy, just pressing lightly, not turning it on. “Steady? Increasing? Pre-programmed?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I didn’t realize your toy collection was so fancy.”
She began to press it in slowly, letting him decide when to stop. “My other lovers like them more than you do. I always assumed your strength in the Living Force meant you preferred the joys of the flesh over electric ecstasy.”
Si and Bes alone time:
“If you wanted something less physical, we could perhaps indulge in some erotica. If you wanted something more physical,” he shrugged. “You’ll need to tell me what you had in mind. Simultaneous masturbation is an option, if you aren’t ready for full intimacy. Or we could pleasure each other. Obviously, I have trouble with my hands, but let’s just say I have an embarrassing number of personal devices to help with that.”
“You do?” Bes asked, stunned.
Si rolled his eyes. “Master doesn’t just bring me sweaters.” He sighed. “I try not to imagine who has to order them for him.”
After the locker room:
As they walked through the Temple, Yoda became aware that Obi-Wan’s shields were in shambles and his emotions were too turbulent for him to hide. Yoda paused before they left the complex, surrounding the knight with a protective shield.
--
After the locker room, in Yoda's padawan room:
Many lovers I have had. Eight hundred years old I am. Many padawans I have had too. Told you I did, masters guided padawans in this, long before S-training. The Force very powerful is, strong it is in Jedi. Complicate sexual relationships it can. The Force moves with katas, saber duels, Breggle, meditation. Moves with sex the Force does too. The Force tells of the future and the present, tells us more about our lovers than others see. Different temptations exist for Jedi. Control minds for sex one must not. Most padawans think S-training about emotional control of the self is. Part of it that is, important it is, but not all. S-training is about being a good, responsible adult when sex you have, not controlling passion only. S-training is about letting go of control safely, so control more important things you do. S-training is about healthy relationships to have, about learning sex to enjoy, but to be manipulated by your lovers not.
[...]
“Just checking I was.” He lowered his head. “Lovemaking with humans not so different is, but all the combinations will work not. Small I am. Smaller orifices I have. The sensitive places slightly different are. But in general the same it is. Enjoy touch I do. Enjoy touching I do. My penis very sensitive is, feel very good touch there can. Enjoy kissing I do. When against a lover I rub, very good that can feel. Climax I still can, feel very good it does. Give my partner a climax I can, feel very good also that does. Touch my lovers I do, with my hands, with my body, with my tongue, with my penis, with the Force. Touched I can be the same way. Feel very good lovemaking can, but trust one must have, fear not. Casual sex I can have, sex with friends enjoy I can, but you, trust so much you must. Share this we can if trust me you do.”
[...]
“Yes, a path to the Dark Side attachment can be. A path to pain, strife, and suffering it can be. But many Jedi live and love with bad outcomes not. Some like Qui-Gon are, a primary partner they have, but exclusive they are not. Some like Yan are, no primary partner, but multiple partners he had, with commitment to none. Some have a monogamous partner, live together they might, but on separate missions they go, separate lives they have. Some pair with their working partners do, very careful they must be. Attachment can form from habit as much as from love.”
“Is that why I was too attached to Master Jinn? Because I was around him so much and was accustomed to having him?”
“Not quite. Habit the root of problem was not. Manipulative to you he was. Cold he was. Isolated you he did. Take his love for granted you could never. Withhold affection he did, approval he withheld also. Affirmation he gave you not, and prevent you from getting it elsewhere he did. Much love in you there is to give, greedy for it he was, but give it to you in return he would not. An unhealthy need to please him you had, exploit this he did. Began this when a child you were, stop it you could not, but growing beyond it now you are, every day. Some attachment in a padawan for their master normal is. A mentor they are, a guide they are. Vows to each other made you had. But a vow to the Force you made also. Expect to be loved masters do, but also expected to temper attachment in self and help the padawan the same to do, not to manipulate the padawan into staying attached like Qui-Gon did, like Qui-Gon was with Xanatos. Protect himself he did at your expense. Time spent with me allowed you time to detach. Time it gave you to separate the will of Qui-Gon from the will of the Force. In love, care one must take to separate the will of the self, the desires of the self from the will of the Force you must. A good example of this Master Jinn is not.”
“Really?” Obi-Wan asked. “It wasn’t the will of the Force that he have lovers across the galaxy, or to step in to take someone from their home on every mission and expect the Jedi or the Republic or their government to foot the bill?”
Yoda snorted. “Good thing that Dooku he was not. Bankrupted Serrano would be.” They both giggled.
[...]
“People might talk. I’m much younger than you are in terms of life experience. I may harm your credibility, even if we are discreet.”
“Hmm, yes. Mocked you might be if choose to ride the Green Dragon you do.”
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at the euphemism. “It wouldn’t be the first time I was accused of that,” he admitted.
“Know this I do.”
Obi-Wan grew still. “I always hoped you hadn’t heard.”
“An old man I am, heard it before I have. Teased I was about sleeping with Grandmaster Nehi, but the same species we were, more friendly the teasing was.” He resettled against the knight. “Hostile your peers might be. Hostile my peers might be.”
“Would this upset the Council?”
“For loving me? No.” Yoda patted him reassuringly. “Lovers most Council members do have. Discretion is preferred, flaunt a relationship we must not. A good example I must be. But keeping this a secret is required not. Expect surprise from them I do, tease me they might, but upset they will not be. Question you some of them might. The Grandmaster I am. Ensure that coerced you were not they will want to be.”
“Because I’m a virgin or because they think I’m a child?”
“Because a young man you are, a junior colleague. Check up on each other we do. A child they don’t think you are, but if choose to be with this old lizard you do, be sure by your choice it is they will want to be.”
[...]
Obi-Wan was silent, seriously considering it. “I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like what you’ve suggested. But . . . I don’t think I would have a problem with it. I’m not jealous now. I don’t feel possessive of you. You’re Master Yoda, you were always a gift in my life that was shared. And I wouldn’t ask you for monogamy, even if we choose . . . to move forward. I have no skills or experience. I’m keenly aware that I cannot satisfy your sexual desires on my own and I’m only home rarely. I know my own sex drive is much lower than average, or it usually is anyway. I would not expect I would be enough for you and I would fail to meet your needs by myself.”
“Hmm.” Yoda took a moment to digest this. “Prefer me to have other lovers you would?”
“I think so,” Obi-Wan replied. “I want you to be happy, Master, to have a healthy and fulfilled life.”
“Hmm, take other lovers you will?”
Obi-Wan sighed. “I still haven’t decided on you, Master, much less anyone else. I can barely wrap my mind around that concept. The idea of being with other people, I . . . I can’t imagine trusting anyone else enough to do so. At least not right now.”
[...]
“Hmm,” he sat up and held his hand up to his chest, as if demonstrating a height. “Everything above here, okay to touch is. Gentle with my ears be. Feel good the touch will but lead to more it will not.”
[...]
Obi-Wan carefully used his fingers to ruffle the half-ring of downy white hair at the base of Yoda’s skull. Yoda sighed, and his face flushed, turning a brighter, deeper shade of green, warming to Obi-Wan’s touch. He curled and uncurled his ears contentedly.
[...]
“Strange do I feel?”
“No.” Obi-Wan traced a finger along his cheek, feeling his lover’s skin. “I really don’t touch people often, and those I do aren’t all human. And I’ve held your hands before. Your skin is a little cooler than I was expecting.”
“Run cooler than humans I do. Just a little. Warm humans feel to me, very nice to lay on they are.”
[...]
“Close we have been before. Pressed against each other not but touched before we have.”
“Yes.” Obi-Wan remembered nights when he had cried out his sorrows in this room, shared meditations at sunrise on the balcony, and evenings in the sitting room, watching the holonews or just sitting together as he sought to quiet his mind and find peace during turbulent times. “You were always gentle if I was hurting or wounded. It was safe to be imperfect with you.”
[...]
“Feel your love I can, through our bond, and in the Force. Warm my heart on lonely nights this will, much more than memories of physical love.”
Obi-Wan reached out to stroke Yoda’s hair again. “Are you just saying that so you won’t scare me away?”
“No,” Yoda chuckled. “Strong in the Force I am. The strongest sense of mine it is. Stronger than sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste it is. Feel you in the Force I can. Touch my mind you do.” He tweaked the bond gently, purring as the knight beneath him gasped at the sensation, the pleasure from the contact growing as his brain became attuned to it. “Sharing physical love with me already you are. More that is than anything I thought to have with you. A gift in my life you are. Worry not about going slow. Savor the experience do.”
Yoda settled back down against Obi-Wan’s chest, curling his toes in delight when he felt warm lips brush against the top of his head.
[...]
Yoda laughed harder. “A Force tendril that probably was. Do that sometimes Koli does. Feel my joy they can, want a taste they do.”
“Koli the ficus?” He knew Yoda was very close with his plants, but he only knew their names because their pots were labelled. He had never really bonded with his succulents himself.
“Yes!” Yoda flopped down against him, still giggling in delight.
“And the short one in the kitchen?”
“My herb box that is.” Yoda didn’t name the plants he ate.
Obi-Wan still looked a bit disturbed. “And Koli and his friends decided to show themselves now?” He actually seemed disappointed their intimacy had been so abruptly interrupted. “Did I upset them?”
Yoda broke out into fresh peals of laughter. “No! Always there they have been. See them now you did.”
“I did? Why?”
Yoda kissed his cheek reassuringly. “Discover the other reason for S-training you have.” He managed to quiet his chuckles with effort. “Starting to kindle desire you were. Starting to get aroused you were. Open your mind to the Living Force that can.” He tried to keep a straight face, but giggles still escaped. “Jerk off in the woods you never have?”
Obi-Wan looked vaguely disgusted by the idea of outdoor autoeroticism. “No.”
“Hee, hee. Books there are on that too. And the Passion Garden.” He sighed, serious again. “Teach you this Qui-Gon did not. Sex and masturbation open the mind to the Living Force can. Sex often more so, especially if lean toward the Unifying Force you do. Frighten many virgins this can, even without terrifying houseplants. Move the Force does with lovemaking, with sex. Frighten new lovers this can. So many Jedi very frightened of sex were. That’s why older masters teach younger Jedi do, so afraid of their own power they would not be.”
[...]
Yoda shrugged. “Go to the Passion Garden you could,” he teased. “Warn you I must, some of the trees there less polite than Koli are.”
“Um, no. I’ve had quite enough of gardening tonight, Master. Not to mention the people in the Passion Garden.”
“Hmm, good point. Fond of the Passion Garden Qui-Gon is.”
Obi-Wan grimaced. “Don’t remind me.” He didn’t like to think about how much time his former master tended to spend ‘meditating’ there.
[...]
“Master,” Obi-Wan sounded awed. “You’re made of stars.”
“Yes, my Love,” Yoda continued to stroke him. “Made of stars you are too.”
“I saw the stars inside you.”
Yoda bit back a laugh, amused that Obi-Wan was more stunned by his glimpse of the Living Force than his orgasm. “Saw your Light I did too. Another beautiful gift it was.”
[...]
“Master Jinn always got loud faster.”
“Know this I do. Poor Master Tahl, take his time he does not.”
The next day:
Start with meditation S-training does. Reading. Patience exercises. Self-exploration.
[...]
“Master of the Living Force I am. Very clean you are, no germs you have. Tell me this the Force does.” He patted Obi-Wan again, still chuckling. “Strong in the Unifying Force you are. Expect the Force to tell you this over a healer’s report you should not.”
[...]
“The Jedi teachings don’t discuss reincarnation,” Obi-Wan spoke quietly. “They tell us we release ourselves into the Force and become one with it. That we don’t retain our identities.”
“Come back the same people do not, but the core, the soul recognizable can be. Become one with the Force we do when die we do, but with us the Force is when alive we are. Think I do that gives back some souls the Force does. Know why this is I do not. Know I do not if some return not or if all return but few recognized are. Study this the Jedi do, but figure it out we have not. Someday the teachings change might, but hmm, wrong they are not. Just that more can happen than understand we do.”
[...]
Yoda kissed him on the nearest patch of bare skin. “Told you I did, fear this you should not, but understand it I do. Very nervous I was during my first time. Short woman she was but much taller than I am. So much more experience she had. But a very good teacher she was, patient, kind, and open-minded. Disappointed she was not when came quickly I did.” He chuckled quietly. “Mortified I was, but just laughed she did. Told me she did that my penis just one organ was, other instruments of pleasure I still had. Taught me to use my mouth for better things than swearing she did.” He smiled at the memory. “If enjoyed kissing me you did, thank her you can. Not the only teacher I had she was, but the first one I had who was brave enough to kiss the Green Virgin.”
Obi-Wan laughed. “I don’t recall reading about the Green Virgin in the sagas.”
“Hmm, write sagas she did not, but write poetry she did. Have her book somewhere I do. Show you later I can if interested you are.”
[...]
“Hmm. Smart young man you are.” Yoda snuggled against him. “Start out slow we should. Want to feel your touch I do. Want to feel your lips against my body I do. Want to feel your strong hands on my back I do while kiss the breath out of me you do.” He paused. “When ready you are, want to feel your gentle touch on my penis I do. When close to climax I am, feel your warm hand pressing on my testicles I want, until stop my moaning I cannot.” /// “Hmm, what else I would like?” He chuckled quietly. “Massage I enjoy, feeling your hands on my body. On my back. On my shoulders. Stroking my neck. Want to rub myself on your body I do. With clothes. With clothes not. Want to sit in your lap with our penises between us, stroking, rubbing, gripping them together.” /// “Hmm, want to taste different parts of you, just your mouth and neck not. Hmm, want to find new ways to bring you to climax I do. Want to find new ways for us to climax together I do.” There was a significant pause. “Want to feel you inside my body I do.”
Yoda felt confusion over the bond.
“You aren’t referring to the tongue-kissing, are you?”
“Hmm, no.”
“I’m still not sure what you mean. The only act I can think of you said won’t work.”
Yoda laughed. “Close you are. Your penis still too big is.” He reached back for Obi-Wan’s hand, pulling it across his shoulders to lay on Obi-Wan’s chest in front of his face. “Beautiful, fine fingers you have. If slow and careful we are, fit they will.” Yoda pressed against him, humming in pleasure. “A long time it has been since a good fuck I have had. Toys we would need to start with but, hmm, if ever ready you are,” he shifted, releasing his hot arousal to the Force rather than letting it flow into the bond. “Take your fine fingers into my body I would like. Let you touch me deep inside I would. So warm, so deep, so full it would feel. A lifeless toy not, but part of your body, so deep inside. So much farther than reach I can myself. Every move, every twist, feel it I would. Touch my glands from inside you would, set fire to my nerves your touch would. Cover my mouth with your kiss you would have to, muffle my screams of passion you would.”
“Oh,” Obi-Wan sounded a bit breathless. “I know I’m not ready for that.”
Yoda laughed, sending him loving reassurance. “Ready for that I am not also. A very long time it has been. Less complicated ways to make love there are.” He stroked Obi-Wan’s fingers. “Content to feel your hands on the outside I am.” He wrapped his fist around Obi-Wan’s index finger, testing the girth. “Hmm, yes, narrow enough to take this into my body it is if slow and gentle you are. So good that would feel.” He leaned over, kissing the fingertips. “Be inside your body I could be too, if want that you do. Cover my claws I can. Hurt you I would not.”
[...]
“Know you do that wake up at night I do. Woke I did slowly, warm dreams I was having. Remember them well I do not, but with me you were and in the dream warm our bond was. Touching me I think you were, but in a sexual way not. In my half-awake mind, feel your gentle touch I did, feel like our bond open was, felt like hugging me you were, smell you I could and real that was. All mixed up and half-awake I was.”
“And that made you think I was, um, attractive?”
“No,” Yoda snorted. “Already knew I did that beautiful and sexy you are. Old I am. Blind I am not. Realized my body did that not only platonic love had for you I did. When work up I did, hard I was. Smell you I could with every breath, wrapped up in traces of you in the Force I was. So far away I knew you were.” He ducked his head. Obi-Wan could feel slight heat as Yoda flushed again. “Touch myself I did.”
“Did it feel good?” Obi-Wan asked quietly.
“Yes. Know how to take care of myself well I do. Very good it felt. Closed my eyes I did so that see you I could. Stroked my hard penis I did. Pretended I did that your arms around me were, that hold me you would while pleasure myself I did. That sharing each other’s breath we were. So good it felt, very aroused I was, hard and leaking in my sleep I had been. Soon slippery it was, rub harder and faster I did, and soon moaning your name I was, so close I was getting, so good, but wanted your touch I did, wanted to feel your breath on my neck, wanted to feel your mind touch mine I did, and kriff, wanted your real arms around me because shaking I was, shaking so hard when finally came I did with your face in my mind.”
[...]
“Good to hear this is, Beautiful. Deserve wonders you do.” He stroked down with his foot again. “Kiss me here will you?” He stroked again, savoring Obi-Wan’s sigh of pleasure. “Enjoy being touched here I do too. Caress me here you would, Beautiful?” He slid his foot again. “Caress me here until beg you for climax I do?”
Obi-Wan frowned, even as he trembled. “Would you want that? That sounds cruel.”
“Ah, no,” Yoda chuckled. “An acquired taste that is.” He patted Obi-Wan’s hip reassuringly. “Beg you I would not because denying me you would be. Build slowly the pleasure would, so close to my peak I would be. If kiss me there you would, if take it slow like doing I am now,” he stroked again, waiting for Obi-wan to shudder and sigh, hiding his pleased surprise when their bond pulsed and his own mind warmed in the shared feelings. “Linger on the joyful edge I could, trembling with ecstasy, our bond flooded with our love. When ready to move on, when wait for climax I no longer can, beg you for release I might. Desperate I might feel, but know I do that torment me you would not.” He stroked again, and there was a hitch in the sigh this time.
Wh-what if I couldn’t?” Obi-Wan asked, eyes tightly shut. A damp spot had formed on his pants, though Yoda was fairly sure he hadn’t noticed. “What if I can’t pleasure you like that?”
Yoda leaned over and kissed him right above his waistband. “Told you I did, teach you how to love me I can. Also bossy I can be. Tell you what I want I will. Force you I will never, but shy I am not. But worry you should not. When that worked up I get,” he pressed against Obi-Wan’s hand which had been stroking him intermittently amid understandable distraction. “Your simple touch in the right place, mmm, set me off like a rocket it would.”
“Oh,” Obi-Wan giggled at the mental image.
[...]
Obi-Wan startled at the sensation. “Master? How long is your tongue?”
Yoda pulled away, chortling. “Normal size it is.” He chuckled, kissing Obi-Wan’s belly apologetically. “A lizard I am. Fit in my mouth it does. Short enough for talking it is, but, hmm, stretchy it is.”
“For catching insects?” Obi-Wan asked.
Yoda stroked his foot again, not wanting his lover to lose focus. “No. Sticky it is not. Scientists think for cleaning the ears it is. Small children do that will when grow their ears do, and when shed their skin they do. Very itchy that is.”
He could see Obi-Wan try to imagine this, despite considerable distraction. “That’s rather long.”
“Also good for kissing it is.” Yoda leaned down again, but rather than kiss him, he tickled him with his elongated tongue, chasing after the twitching muscles. “Heh, many uses it has, ready for them all you are not.”
[...]
Yoda chuckled. “Masturbate with your mouth before have you? Short tongue you have but very flexible you are.”
“Not that flexible. Ah!” he gasped as his lover resumed his love-making.
“Hmm, seen you practice Ataru I have.” He licked again. “Flexible enough I think you are. Enough motivation you have not.”
“I c-can’t say I ever tried.”
Yoda snorted. “Difficult for me this is not. Stretchy tongue I have. Teach me not to do that in public Brother Bodan had to do.”
Obi-Wan covered his mouth again, but this time to hold in a laugh. “They left that out of the sagas too.”
Latin being the Ancient Tongue:
“Intus in copore movet. Nam et nos unum sumus.”
The Force moves in me, for we are one.
Vox sonat in manu saecula.”
“The voice of my hand echoes for centuries.”
“Finis incrementum sapienta oblita es.”
“Forgotten wisdom limits our growth.”
“In sapienta ambulate pacificus.”
“Walk with peaceful wisdom,”
“Dance together with the Living Force I do. We walked in the body. We learned in the universe.”
Polyamory was not for the faint of heart, even if it was the norm within the Order.
[...]
Re: whistling noises heard in the Force while Obi-Wan and Yoda meditated together:
“So was the second song your soul?”
Yoda smiled softly. “Yes. Hear your soul call to mine I did. Chose to answer you I did.” He patted Obi-Wan’s hand. “Comes with strong emotions and strong bonds it does. Singing it was because a bond port you had but hearing it you are because developing your mind and your Force connection you have been. Singing in joy your soul is because growing our bond we are.”
Epilogue lunch:
Simet shook his head. When his master chose denial, he committed fully. “Master, when six-year-olds follow you around, it’s because you are bright and shiny in the Force and they can hear your soul-song. When sixteen-year-olds follow you around, even when they are mercilessly mocked for it and continue to do so, it’s because a nascent bond is forming, and it feels good.”
[...]
“Master, as much as it pains me to agree with anything Master Silvanus has to say, in this trivial matter he is correct. You most definitely have a type.”
Yoda looked stunned, but it wasn’t clear if it was because of the opinion or because Yan had actually agreed with Simet.
“You have two very distinctive types, in fact,” Yan continued. “You tend to court wild and uncouth women and bookish, studious men who act like monks.”
[...]
“What brings you back to your old life?” Qui-Gon asked. “I honestly didn’t think you would ever come back, even just to visit.”
“Nonsense, Padawan. I left the Order. I didn’t forget my old friends. I needed some information that the Exploration Corps is the most accurate source for.”
Jocasta preened.
[...]
“A very platonic romance it was,” Yaddle told a rapt audience, still recounting stories of Yoda’s friendship with Brother Maatalous. “Watching them so irritating was. Like a bad holo-drama they were, always waiting for them to kiss we were. Do so they never would. So frustrating it was.”
Ospen gave Turvis a raised eyebrow. “I don’t want to kiss you.”
“Thank the Force,” Turvis replied.
[...]
“Same,” Simet agreed. “Master Yoda is a generous and talented lover.”
“I think it’s his kind heart.” Cin’s smile became a smirk. “And his six-inch long tongue.”
Gi-Ho looked seriously disturbed. Ospen seemed as if he were trying to figure out why that would be appealing.
“Let’s not forget his truly unique penis,” Simet joined in, just to watch Gi-Ho squirm.
“He’s very creative with his technique,” Cin concurred.
“I don’t want to hear anymore!” Gi-Ho whined.
From the ATLL Reference Guide:
102 BBY: Yan Dooku Born
92 BBY: Qui-Gon born in legends and in universe
80 BBY: Qui-Gon born in canon
59 BBY: Quinlan Vos born in universe
57 BBY: Obi-Wan born in canon and in universe
44 BBY: Jedi Apprentice series starts in canon and in universe
32 BBY: TPM in canon and in ubuverse, Obi-Wan is 25, Anakin is 9, Qui-Gon is 60
32-30 BBY: events of ATLL
28 BBY: events of Faithful Friends. Obi-Wan is 29, Anakin is 12, Qui-Gon is 64
Original characters:
Bail Antilles Jr: son of Senator Bail Antilles Sr, and a noble prince of the Elder House of Antilles on Alderaan. A distant cousin to Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is referred to as ‘Bail-Bail’ in the press as his father is ‘Big Bail’ and his older cousin Bail Organa is ‘Little Bail.’
Master Denna: a very powerful, though elderly Twilek Jedi Master who lives on the South Terrace. She had a long career as a diplomat, and authored or edited academic texts and handbooks about becoming more attuned to the Force. Despite her age she is still quite sexually active and is an incorrigible flirt. She is somewhat older than Simet Silvanus, and they are old friends.
Docent From Hell: the docent in charge of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s dorm when he was an initiate. He was not Force-sensitive and lived under the protection of the Jedi. He was reassigned after it was shown he was not serving the children’s needs.
Sister Drish: a Jedi nun who lives on the South Terrace. When she is not working in the retirement home, Sister Drish brings babies and small children to the Jedi Temple for training if their homeworld is relatively close and safe. Sister Drish brought Obi-Wan Kenobi to the temple as a baby. In the retirement home she looks after Master Clearing and the other residents, often at night or in the early morning. She also does crafts, including beading and drawing, and sometimes teaches the Jedi children.
Eller: personal assistant to Master Yoda and Master Windu. She is not a Jedi, is not particularly Force sensitive, but highly intelligent and reads people well. She was poached from a bad job situation by Master Windu and rose through the administration ranks quickly. She makes the Temple run smoothly. She is from Correlia and still has family there. She is a woman of color. Eller is her last name, but whether it is her first or last name is hotly debated by some Jedi.
Healer Les: Yoda and Yaddle’s healer. He is a general healer, but also specializes in their species and has a weakness for Telosian mint candies.
Mann-Gel: the producer of Good Morning, Coruscant! Sometimes can be heard on air, but usually does not appear on camera. A long-lived Kepp, he has been producing the morning news for decades. He is also a producer for other news programs, including Weekend Morning and The Weekend Press.
Jitten “Jitters” Norwal: a Jedi Knight and engineer who works primarily out of the Jedi Temple. He specializes in optimizing interfaces for Force-sensitive users, such as starfighter control panels. He suffers from general and social anxiety and is a patient of Healer Vygor. He is not confident in his saber skills and has a tendency to work all night to his detriment. He is mentored by Master Bert Ogthorne and is working a side project with a neuroscientist to study how the brain adapts to Breggle as a model of Force capacity and neural plasticity. Jitters is a bit younger than Obi-Wan Kenobi and is his neighbor during his young Knight years and was very intimidated by Master Yoda until he got to know him. Kressa Carlin is trying to set him up with Marni. (HLA: Okay, so not Jitendra.)
Marni: a contemporary of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his neighbor during his young knight years. Kressa Carlin is trying to gently set Marni up with Jitters.
Master Bes Skvyiweutj: a retired Kiffar Jedi Master, and former diplomat who specialized in the Inner Rim. A Niman practitioner, he was known as the Master of Ricochet. He is moderately psychometric and a mentor to younger Kiffar Jedi, including Quinlan Vos, with whom he shares a love of art and attends art shows with. He is a double lower leg amputee due to injuries sustained in a starship crash and has prosthetic sockets permanently affixed to his leg stumps, to which he attaches either metal lower legs or walking caps. He medically retired after his amputations (and other related injuries) and lives on the South Terrace because he was never able to regain enough balance and stability to live alone. He is very self-conscious of his scars and missing limbs, and spent a long time avoiding intimate relationships. He is homosexual and is in non-monogamous relationships with Simet Silvanus and Monti Barro. He had a crush on Simet from when he was sixteen years old (when it was inappropriate as Simet is much older) until he was in mid-seventies when he finally confessed. His last name is difficult to say, so he usually just goes by his first name. (His last name is the third result from a random letter generator).
Frazzi Shonk: a Jedi initiate and agemate of Anakin Skywalker hoping to become a padawan. (HLA: this is just a cool name)
Original Locations:
Barracks: temporary housing for Jedi. Barracks A is typically used for visiting students who reside outside the Main Temple. Barracks B typically houses students that have been evicted for disciplinary issues or Jedi that are being housed under supervision but aren’t incarcerated (ie. under curfew). Barracks C typically houses traveling/nomadic Jedi who don’t maintain permanent housing when they are in Temple. Barracks D typically houses Service Corps Jedi who are visiting the Main Temple for training or between assignments. Jedi can also stay temporarily in the Barracks if there is a maintenance issue in their quarters, or if their master or roommate is entertaining an intimate guest. Groups of young padawans sometimes choose to have sleepovers together in Barracks A rather than their master’s quarters. New Knights are sometimes housed temporarily in Barracks C when they return from their first missions until their new quarters are ready.
Chancellor’s Bunker: a secure bunker several levels below the Chancellor’s Official Residence. It is connected to the residence by a well-hidden elevator to allow the Chancellor to escape the residence in an emergency and to either stay in the bunker or to escape on foot to the surface on the edge of the G-Red, close to the Senate District, making it possible to escape from the Senate District entirely (and the planet if necessary) or to reach the Senate Building undetected.
Council Tea Salon Alcoves: a set of alcoves in the Visitor’s Hall, this is where the members of the Jedi High Council hold their tea salons, a place where other Jedi (and to a lesser extent, outside visitors) can meet socially and informally with them over tea. Both business and social development happens in the salons on any given day. Each council member has their own alcove, though there are additional alcoves, some dedicated to preparing tea and small treats, and some for spontaneous gatherings. Visitors and council members alike tend to move back and forth between the alcoves, and not every council member will host on a given day.
Gambling and Red Light District (G-Red): as the name implies, the district on Coruscant where gambling and prostitution are concentrated. There are high class areas for the high rollers and low-class areas that are more sleazy. The Las Vegas of Coruscant.
North Terrace: the section of the Jedi Temple where the Creche and the Initiate Complex are located, as well as the Intake Department where new potential Jedi are processed and quarantined.
Pan-Alderaan Cultural Center: located near the Pan-Alderaan embassy, the cultural center celebrates the culture of Alderaan and its former colony worlds, including Stewjon and Colstev.
Pavillion: a large room within the Jedi Temple, below the Visitor’s Hall. A place where Jedi come together for large in-house gatherings, including holiday folk dancing. It is surrounded by a balcony and there are smaller gathering halls surrounding it.
South Terrace (and lower floors): the South Terrace is where the Jedi Retirement Home is located in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Simet Silvanus, Master Bes, Master Denna, Sophia Loris and Wallace Clearing live here, as do the clergy who take care of the elderly residents. The terrace itself is covered in clear ‘glass’ to let the sunlight in but keep the weather out, and the space has lush lawns and gardens which are tended to by clergy and residents, and events are sometimes held there, though it is primarily a communal social area for the residents and clergy. Adjacent to the terrace are the dorms for the clergy and the resident suites and rooms, and the floors below house the more medically fragile residents who need more extensive care, similar to a nursing home/hospice. The dorms, residences, and lower floors are considered to be part of ‘the South Terrace’ when discussing this area, not just the terrace garden. Not all of the residents are elderly. Some of the residents are medically retired or semi-retired (like Sophia Loris, who has a relapsing illness and doesn’t need assistance all the time), and some are living in the home temporarily (such as Knight Cupro who is young and expected to return to independent living after he is healed enough to be fitted with a permanent leg prosthetic). Residents join the home for a variety of reasons, some age related, but often physical disability or mental disability or decline. Residents tend to live in the retirement home when they can no longer live completely independently, and transition to the lower floors when they need intensive care on a constant basis.
Trell: a planet with a Jedi Satellite Healing Temple and Medical Complex. Trell is much more developed than Arkel IV but is a similar distance from Coruscant and is a short trip through hyperspace. It has a more advanced medical facilities than Arkel IV and is where Jedi are generally sent for long term and specialized rehab. Like Arkel IV, Trell has healers for physical, mental and psychological issues and serves patients outside the Jedi. Many injured field Jedi will take all or part of their rehabilitation on Trell.
Vinland Monastery: a Jedi monastery in the Vinland region of Alderaan where wine is produced. There is an Agri Corps facility here, and the winery is a fundraiser for the Order. Ben Lars was doing research here when Obi-Wan Kenobi was conceived.
Original Culture and World Building:
Affirmation Ritual: a prayer bead meditation ritual. The beads involved have symbols carved on them representing different personal qualities and have sentiments related to the symbol imprinted on them in the Force. The beads for this ritual are typically given as a gift to someone having difficult times or in need of affirmation.
Aldera Biennial Summit: a diplomatic summit hosted by the Alderaani royal family and Elder houses occurring every two years in the palace in Aldera. It serves to bring together opposing factions from either new members of the Republic or prospective members and also serves to advertise Alderaan’s tourism industries to said diplomats. It is useful for resolving small diplomatic squabbles before they become larger conflicts. The Senator usually attends, again to improve diplomatic relations. Yoda, Simet Silvanus, Marcus Jerrold, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Reeft, Garen Muln, Knight Xerin, Quinlan Vos and Kressa Carlin have served at the summit over the years.
Alderaani Court Manners: the Alderaani royal court has specific manners that are followed during formal functions, many of which are emulated in the other Elder houses. Bowing shows respect for the monarch and other royals and nobles. Kissing of the hand indicates fealty to the person being kissed. Flowers are bestored by the monarch/royal/noble to show favor or welcome and they are worn as corsages on the lapel or wrist (though flowers in the hair can simply be fashionable). A kiss on the right cheek indicates romantic intent. A kiss on the left cheek is reserved for family and very close friends. When Queen Mazicia publically kissed Obi-Wan Kenobi on the left cheek, she was formally recognizing him as a member of her family, despite his illegitimacy.
Alderaani Naming Conventions for Illegitimate Children: traditionally illegitimacy was very much frowned upon in Alderaani society and children born outside of wedlock were not considered legally part of either parent’s family, and were considered the start of a new bloodline. They were referred to as ‘kin of’ their parents which developed into new surnames. The illegitimate child was given the surname created by adding a K’ or Ke’ prefix to one of the parent’s names, while their descendants would take a similar surname without the apostrophe. Ringus and Bella Antilles gave their illegitmate grandson the name Ben Lars K’Obi to shame his biological father and shield their daughter Obilessa Antilles, rather than name him Obil Antilles Ke’Lars which would make his mother more obvious and trackable. Not wanting to punish the child nor identify her cousin, Mazicia Organa changed the child’s name to conform with the more modern tradition of not identifying the illegitimate child specifically and skipping to a name his descendants would use, thus naming the child Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi, naming him for both his parents but identifying neither. This tradition has fallen out of favor in most of Alderaan in modern times outside of the most conservative Elder houses and there are few Alderaani who keep their Ken- or Kin- names, though it is more common on Stewjon and Colstev, as many such persons moved to the colonies where they faced less social stigma (though there is little on modern Alderaan).
Alderaani Paradox: a medical phenomenon in which Jedi of Alderaani descent were found to be very sensitive to drugs which are usually dosed by midichlorian count. This was later tied to Jedi of Alderaani descent who had lower blood midichlorian counts than expected, which led to the discovery that these Jedi had blood counts that fluctuate depending on whether they are actively using the Force and with illness. This effect correlates with the strength of their perceived Force presence. Study of the blood counts under different conditions and activities led researchers to realize that the higher counts were more representative of the patient’s Force abilities, and the difference in their Force presence between the resting state and when they are actively using the Force is referred to as their ‘swing’. Knight Jerrold has noted that Obi-Wan Kenobi has a larger swing than most other Force sensitive Alderaani he has met. Healer Mendl has been studying the genetics of the Alderaani Paradox and has confirmed that Obi-Wan has this genetic variant.
Friend Wall: a decorating trend among Jedi. As the Jedi typically don’t have close family, they tend to display pictures of their friends grouped into a gallery on one wall. Obi-Wan Kenobi has done this as a knight, and Yoda’s portrait was added to the gallery along with flat pics of his agemates and friends.
Force Currents: movements in the Force that Jedi sense in different ways. Simet often visualizes Force currents, while to Quinlan Vos they feel like warm or cold air currents. Sometimes they are small (as in how the Force moves in response to a person) and sometimes they are on a larger scale (across a region, a planet, or across space). Jedi often discuss Force currents as one would discuss the weather, and changes in Force currents (fresh currents) can stimulate the minds of Force sensitives and lift mood.
Force Portraits: interpretations of a person’s Force signature expressed visually. They can be made with art materials or sketched with Breggle stones. Yoda taught Obi-Wan how to do this while teaching him different Breggle games. What a Jedi sees depends on their relative Force strength and L/U balance, and therefore every Jedi will not see the same thing or necessarily recognize the subject in another person’s composition.
Jedi Commercial Art: Jedi commercial art was part of community outreach. Artists would paint portraits of Jedi knights, masters, students and clergy, and the paintings and prints would be sold commercially so the people throughout the Republic would know what Jedi looked like in general and to humanize them. These works were popular with government officials and with parents who had given up children to the Jedi.
Jedi Dance Education: all Jedi children are trained in basic dance and Jedi folk dances and there are additional classes for older students who want to relearn these skills or learn more. Most Jedi on the path to knighthood learn basic pair dancing as junior or senior padawans, and can take additional courses, particularly if they are in the Diplomatic Core. Master Chenna Coorlis taught many dance classes, for pairs and individuals. Basic dance classes were also essential for the Tannsi School of saber work.
Jedi Folk Dances: Jedi folk dances were typically done in concentric circles or as line dancing, with some variation depending on the size of the group. While they could be done at any time of the year, large dances were held on solstice holidays. Well known dances include the Warmup Dance, the Opening Dance, the Warrior Dance, the Generations Dance and the Closing Dance.
Jedi Retreats (on Arkel IV): Jedi Retreats serve to help Jedi regain or maintain balance. The Jedi facility on Arkel IV has both outdoor training facilities for training padawans and initiates, as well as recreational facilities, including hiking trails, swimming pools, access to an ocean, areas for camping, gardens, meditation spaces, and lodging (cabins and barracks) for Jedi staying there for training or retreat purposes. There are also medical facilities for Jedi undergoing rehab or recuperation, but not as extensive as on Trell. Anakin has visited Arkel IV for initiate camping trips that give the children exposure to the Living Force and experience being out in nature that they can’t get on Coruscant on a planet that is relatively safe from large predators. Obi-Wan has stayed there for medical rehab, but has also gone on retreat with Yoda, which served as both a chance to commune with the Force and as a couple’s vacation.
Kepp: a very long-lived humanoid species with a lifespan that is centuries long. Kepps often break their lives into different seasons, often being stable in one career or life plan for centuries before making a complete change. They often change their names when they embark on a new type of life. Notable Kepp include Slo Min, the former monk and current Jedi tavern keeper and Mann-Gel, the very longtime producer of Good Morning, Coruscant!
LNOK: Legal Next of Kin. Because Jedi do not have families and have been adopted by the Order, they must choose who is considered their next of kin for legal purposes. There is also a Medical Next Of Kin for medical decisions should a Jedi become incapacitated. The LNOK and the MNOK may be the same person but do not have to be. It is customary to have the person in question formally accept this role (there is paperwork), though backup persons are usually just named at the same time. When he was knighted, Obi-Wan selected Yoda as his LNOK rather than Qui-Gon Jinn.
Masturbation and the Force: masturbation (and sexual stimulation in general) can lead to an enhancement of Living Force abilities. This can be advantageous and Jedi have established techniques to make use of masturbation to help restore balance (self-care meditations), or to sharpen abilities (as when Bant masturbated to help see Obi-Wan’s bond port more clearly after catching a glimpse of it. Jedi do consider masturbation to be primarily a private activity done alone or with lovers, but there are public spaces (the Passion Garden) where Jedi can engage in masturbation/sexual activity amidst a garden setting to hone these abilities or simply enjoy the phenomenon, and there are solo and group masturbation/sexual meditations to help focus or reach beyond ones usual ability. Jedi clergy, while celibate, are encouraged to engage in masturbation for both self-pleasure and for using the Force effectively. The phrase Obi-Wan uttered at orgasm when having sex with Yoda, “Intus in copore movet. Nam et nos unum sumus (the Force moves in me, for we are one)” is a phrase uttered by clergy at climax during such rituals, and was further evidence Obi-Wan had been a monk in a previous life.
Meditations: Celestial Night, Memory Walk, Self-Care,
MNOK: Medical Next of Kin. Because Jedi do not have families and have been adopted by the Order, they must choose who is considered their next of kin for medical purposes should a Jedi become incapacitated. This is separate from the Legal Next of Kin, but they can be the same person. It is customary to have the person in question formally accept this role (there is paperwork), though backup persons are usually just named at the same time. When he was knighted, Obi-Wan selected Healer Vygor as his MNOK rather than Qui-Gon Jinn.
Sexuality Training (S-training): Jedi deal with developing sexuality in their padawans (and to a lesser extent Service Corp Jedi) with S-training. Because young Jedi attune themselves to the Force and develop their Force talents much more than the general population, and because the Force and Force sensitivity respond to sexual stimulation, many young Jedi have difficulty in their earliest sexual experiences and the heightened sensitivity can be distracting or frightening. Additionally, because Jedi have mind-influencing abilities, and vows of non-attachment, there are many ways that early sexual exploration could lead young people astray, far beyond unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. S-training deals with these issues with a focus on developing sexually responsible behaviors in the young adults and the Jedi they will become in their later years. It is tailored to the student’s specie, needs and personality. Many students will prefer to train with their own masters, even if this does not conform to their sexual orientation (such as Master Bes), because trust and attunement to the partner is so essential to the process. Some students have familial feelings toward their masters and end up being trained by someone else though their own masters remain involved (such as Monti Barrow). Some masters partially train their padawans, but at some point, must bring in a partner of the same species as the padawan (as was the case for Tahl and Bant). Masters are responsible for guiding their padawans through their first sexual experiences, either by serving as a sexual partner, or by helping their padawan to find an appropriate partner. This process is typically student led in the sense that the student is not to be coerced into activity, but it is the responsibility of the master to ensure the proper lessons are taught. S-training was added to the curriculum a few centuries ago, including guidance for masters, but before that time such training was carried out informally, sometimes after knighthood as Jedi were knighted at younger ages in these eras. Some padawans and masters will continue to have a sexual relationship after S-training (such as Yoda and Simet Silvanus) but most do not. Qui-Gon Jinn is was censored by the Council and no longer permitted to take padawans because among other issues he neglected to give Obi-Wan Kenobi this training.
Urban Scout Girls: an organization to mentor young girls. While camping is not an option on Coruscant, they do learn to make the most of their urban environment and to protect themselves. They earn merit badges that deal with different aspects of life in general and on Coruscant, and sell cookies and treats as fundraisers. Troops from wealthier levels do manage to go on camping trips on other Core Worlds (such as Arkel IV, though their facilities are not close to the Jedi facilities. There is a stereotype that Urban Scout Girls are terrible campers, but very street smart and tough. Master Bes enjoys the cookies. Girl Scouts in Space.
Vigil: when Jedi are ill or injured enough to need care, but not enough to need hospitalization, they are cared for at home around the clock by friends and fellow Jedi. This also can include hospice care if the patient wants to stay at home. Vigils are assigned a color to indicate what care the patient needs (mild illness, severe illness, contagious illness, severe injury, mobility issues, if the patient is improving, or terminal illness) and traditional lamps displaying that color are put up outside the patients room and in the elevator lobby on their floor to notify others of the vigil so they can remain quiet and calm and also so they can find where the vigil is taking place. Before the Service Corp developed vigils were run by the clergy and many modern clergy will regularly serve at vigils, even for Jedi they do not know personally. Yoda held a vigil for Obi-Wan when he became ill and delirious after his failed mission to Dailfo.
Notes quoted from ATLL and sequels:
"I’m Eller. I’m the personal assistant to Grandmaster Yoda and Mace Windu, the Master of the Order.”
--
Light Nights:
"Many of the staff who attend Sixth Night don’t actually know much beyond basic Jedi culture and etiquette and some attend with spouses or partners who don’t work at the Temple, so there are many attendees who aren’t sure what is allowed or expected. Sixth Night is for community building and inclusion. Don’t dress provocatively, don’t flirt with the clergy, and don’t get drunk. They’ll bring through some younglings in a few dances, so watch your language then, and if you want to pair dance, they will do that in an hour or so, then resume the group dances to close the night.”
...
The drum’s rhythm changed again and all the Jedi faced the center circle. Yoda had hopped from Cin to Mace, as he was the tallest in the group, and Mace was now slowly rotating in the center of the circle. Yaddle had stepped down off Koon to take Windu’s place. Both Yoda and Windu raised their hands and above them, in the large open space above the dance floor, there was a bright sparkling light and joy to open the festivities, a crackling, shining and glittering energy release, not unlike Master Monti’s display during the puppet show but on a much larger scale. The dancers all gave one more clap and the drums and dancers stopped, followed by cheers and applause.
--
More Light Nights:
Qui-Gon shrugged, their shoulders brushing. “I never noticed. And I haven’t been here in years.”
“I know.” Tahl tucked her arm into Qui-Gon’s. “Your master would have you over on Sixth Night so he wouldn’t have to dance with the non-Jedi employees.”
“Having plans is the best antidote to Yoda’s nagging.”
Tahl chuckled. “After you’d release Obi-Wan for the evening he would come here with Yoda, so I guess everyone was happy in the end.”
“Oh,” Qui-Gon blinked. “I did not know that.” Qui-Gon tried not to sound as if he felt that was strange.
...
“I see Yoda,” he said at last. “I can’t tell who he is riding.”
Tahl valiantly stifled a laugh.
There were cheers from the crowd and Qui-Gon could catch Yoda’s name as well as an affectionate name for the Grandmaster in Dai Bendu. Sure enough, when he looked up at the main screen, Yoda’s image was being projected many times larger than life. The giant green master was grinning broadly, arms raised as he perched on the shoulders of one bright-eyed Knight Kenobi, also projected larger than life. In the crowd around him, Qui-Gon could make out several other young knights, including Quinlan Vos, that blonde knight who thought he was a jerk, and Cin Drallig. Clearly Cin must have gotten tired carrying his former master around.
“Found him,” Qui-Gon managed when he finally found his voice. “Obi-Wan is carrying Yoda and they’re on the big screen.”
Tahl let out a distinct giggle. “Good for them.”
“They look very enthusiastic,” Qui-Gon observed as Obi-Wan executed a turn, Yoda perfectly balanced on his shoulders.
--
(Obi-Wan is at least 26 when he becomes Yoda's lover: Vygor: “You’re only twenty-six, Obi-Wan. You’ve only been in a position to really explore your sexuality for a year, and you’re also a busy new knight. People change over time. You certainly have changed a lot just in the short time I’ve known you.”
More Vygr: “The Force is mysterious, but I disagree about this dream self being so very different from who you are now. Clearly casual sex has no appeal for you, or you probably would have made efforts to try it by now. A deeper relationship wherein sex is just one part would be a probable alternative, particularly if this future you is seeking companionship. You said the touch was not particularly arousing, but not unwelcome. It sounds as if your partner probably has a higher sex drive than you do, but that doesn’t make future you uncomfortable. You also have a history of, for lack of a better term, sexual betrayal. The person who you should have had guiding you through your budding sexuality, in whatever form it ultimately takes, was neglectful and restrictive. Based on that history, your personality, and your development over the past year, it is very likely that should you choose a partner, you would have to trust them a great deal, which apparently your dream self does. From an outside perspective, this dream self does sound like someone you could potentially grow into. Would sixteen-year-old you imagine you are you are now?”S)
companionshp vs. attachment
"go to Arkel IV beause they are
From ATLL proper:
“Hold still you will,” Yoda directed. “Let me move arm you will.”
“Okay,” Obi-Wan sounded a bit uncertain. Qui-Gon had helped him loosen muscles when he was a padawan, but when Obi-Wan’s grasp of the Living Force continued to grow at a snail’s pace, he began to focus on more practical tactics like stretching routines. He could feel the tiny master lower the zipper down his back and push his hand further in, probing at more knots and angry tendons. Obi-Wan had been honest, the wound had definitely been iced, and the bruises were mostly gone, but the incident had left him tense all over and with the recent injury the whole area had been primed to cramp up if provoked.
“Move your arm I will. Intense will be. Brace not. Relax if can.”
Obi-Wan released the slightest bit of worry. He knew Master Yoda wouldn’t injure him, but it was hard not to feel on edge with a warning like that.
Yoda shifted his hand under the suit and put his other hand on Obi-Wan’s outstretched arm. Suddenly the Force entered his arm in what he could only describe as a benevolent takeover, and the limb was stretched and pulled across its range of motion to a degree he would be hard-pressed to accomplish voluntarily. He gasped explosively, the knots where Yoda had probed pulsed with heat and energy and after what seemed like much longer than it must have been, his arm returned to the original outstretched position. It had only been a few seconds, but his arm and shoulder felt like it had undergone an hour of therapeutic massage, maybe more.
...
Obi-Wan recognized Yoda’s hopeful tone from when he was trying to cajole him into picking up one more Breggle stone. Whatever Yoda wanted him to do, he knew he would do his best not to disappoint.
---
From ATLL:
Archives works with the Art Department
---
From ATLL:
“Manuscript Illumination was definitely lacking in dating options. I was only sixteen of course, but half of the class was either trying to fulfill their Monastic Studies requirement just ahead of their trials, taking it while they or their masters were convalescing, or were too socially awkward to go on the ‘away’ classes. And the other half were retired knights or on rest period and looking for a hobby and were making bets as to when our instructor would retire and join the monastery.”
“Fifty credits on 3 years from now I have.”
“Four years, ten credits,” Si offered.
Bes blushed. “Two and a half years, fifteen credits.”
“The rest home gets a bit dull,” Si was a touch defensive. He looked at Obi-Wan. “What do you think?”
“About Master Turvis becoming a brother? It would be rude for a student to speculate.” Yoda raised a brow, staring him down. “Didn’t bet, but less than six years, definitely.”
The elders laughed. Yoda patted his knee.
“Attuned to Force you are. Overshare Force does sometimes, yes?”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed.
“Hee, yes, Turvis and Ospen platonic love affair can carry on better if join monastery he does. Happy they would be.”
---
“Did you use the Force to make them feel better?” Bail asked.
“Oh, hell no,” Bes sat up straighter. “I’m not stupid. I wasn’t going to deplete myself to make my enemy feel strong enough to attack again. I used the Force to make their body direct more of their healing energy to the wound. They would heal better and probably hurt less, but it would sap their strength so they would be less likely to try anything dangerous.”
Kressa and Quinlan shared a look.
“Damn, Master Bes. That is a sneaky trick.”
Bes grinned at the compliment. “I confess, I learned that one from Master Yoda.”
---
Quinlan shrugged and took a handful. “Thanks.” Insects were not terribly uncommon in Kiffar cuisine. “You said Master Yoda was your great-grandmaster?”
Obi-Wan swallowed his sandwich. “Yes, I am honored to be able to trace back to Master Yoda in my training lineage. Though he’s technically the only member of my lineage I’m actually on speaking terms with.”
“Oh?”
Obi-Wan shrugged, accepting it as fact rather than tragedy. “I’ve never met Feemor, my master’s first padawan. I helped Qui-Gon track down Xanatos, his second padawan, until his death. Master Jinn and I are not currently on speaking terms, and Master Dooku has left the order. His master was Master Yoda, and if I want to trace back any further, I’ll have to read historical poems and sagas.”
---
Yoda shrugged. “Protective Little Bail is. Big Bail too. Ask him not for favors. Only want to know him do. Work with many Jedi Organas do. Fondness, friendship, but attachment not. Know he does that if Jedi must leave, refuge of family still has. Gives more calm, more balance, not less. Unusual, but unique not. Also helps that title, status he has not. No temptation, just good ally.” He made a scoffing sound. “Master Dooku left Order did, took hereditary title did. Claims Jedi wrong are, suit him not, but title, power tempted him long time have. Prince Obi-Wan is not, even if legitimate was. Pull him away from duty friendship does not. Open new paths does. But cautious always. Understand that Organas do, many would not.”
---
That’s Yan Dooku. He was Qui-Gon Jinn’s master. Wasn’t capable of having fun. Good Breggle player though.”
“The one who left the Order?”
“Yes, he had a hereditary title on Serrano. Very intelligent. Very academic. Very controlled. Excellent duelist.”
“Huh, sounds like Obi-Wan.”
“Oh, Force. Not at all,” Bes scoffed.
Quin gave Bes a questioning look.
“Your friend seems like a rule follower and is very proper and a little uptight. Yan is very . . . proud. Rigid. Supercilious.” Bes shook his head. “I remember Yan complaining when Master Jinn first took your friend on as a padawan. He didn’t think anything was wrong with Obi-Wan specifically, but that Jinn should have been using his time to train a more powerful student. He didn’t think Obi-Wan was good enough for him and made sure to make his opinion clear.” Bes looked sad. “He wasn’t supportive.”
---
Yoda pointed his gimer stick at Obi-Wan. “Made me fat he did.”
“I did?” Obi-Wan seemed stunned.
“Yes. Fat. Gained weight when live with you I did. Both times. When young you were, make tea always you did. Fetch dinner for me you did. Keep pantry stocked you did. Homesick you were. Missed master you did. Growing boy you were, but very stressed. Try to get you to eat I did. Almost chubby I got.”
Si laughed quietly. Obi-Wan looked apologetic.
“Hmm, when young man you were, even worse. Cook you did. Come home I would, dinner made would be. Wake up in morning, make breakfast you would when still trying to wake up I was. Heh, servant I needed not, but make sure fed I was you did.” Yoda leaned back on the couch and patted Obi-Wan’s knee. “Good boy you were. Wanted to take care of me you did. Now good knight you are. Worth it, it was, even if love handles I get.”
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to apologize.
“Oh, please, Master. You don’t have love handles,” Si scoffed.
“Fatter I am.” He pointed at Obi-Wan with his thumb. “All his fault.”
Si leaned over to pick up his tea, staring Yoda down. “I’ve seen you naked. No, you don’t.”
Bes coughed on his tea, slightly scandalized.
“What did Healer Les say about this supposed weight gain?” Si asked.
Yoda sighed. “Healthy weight was. Too thin I was getting.”
Si sighed deeply, a long-suffering look on his face. “Love handles.” He looked at Obi-Wan. “You made him eat and sleep at regular times and forced him to delegate work. He ended up a healthier weight, with better skin and you replaced all the robes he had since Cin was his padawan. You did a good job.” He turned to Bail and Rouge. “You’ve probably seen Cin on the holonews; he is the current Battlemaster.”
ail chuckled. He was pretty sure who Master Si was referring to, and that man was not young.
Yoda patted Obi-Wan’s hand. “Perfect padawan you were. Fed me well, cleaned home. Knighted in three months.”
“I just wanted to not make my problems into your problems, Master.” Obi-Wan was very quiet.
“Problem you never were.” Yoda looked over at Quinlan and Kressa. “Needs to get out more he still does.”
“Master!” Obi-Wan protested.
“Give up, young man,” Si advised. “I’m more than one hundred years old and he still interferes with my social life or lack thereof.”
Bail and Rouge looked stunned. Bes slumped a little in his seat.
---
“Are there any clips of you dancing as opposed to sparring?” Quin asked.
Si shrugged. “Hell if I know. I doubt if any from the camps would be archived anywhere. You have to remember, I wasn’t actually cast in anything, but it’s possible there might be old audition clips for other dancers that I might appear in. Also, the Modern Dance Club here in the Temple used to do a semi-annual recital. I sometimes used to dance with them, but you’d have to dig through the Archives for it.”
“Definitely in Archives they are,” Yoda agreed.
---
“I don’t see it,” Bant grimaced, the Mon Calamari equivalent of a frown.
“Bant can never see the resemblance. Mon Calamari pick up on different features than humans do,” Obi-Wan explained, smiling. “I once tried to do a portrait of her, and she told me it sort of looked like Master Guar.”
“Nautolans are even worse,” Si scoffed. “Master Xeno once commissioned a portrait. Never again.” He shook his head as he sipped his tea. “Archives thought it was very accurate, but every time another Nautolan saw it, they burst out laughing. I finally just told Archives to get a native artist, I was not fixing it again.”
Bant was giggling, well aware of the neural discrepancy, but unable to really describe where they were going wrong.
---
Nori was a top aerialist and probably is still excellent, though aerials are a young Jedi’s game. Gi-Ho is one of the best kata masters. Knows them all, backwards, forwards, all variations. Windu is a master of Vapad, of course he invented it. Dooku is a master of Makashi. Rettel of Shien. Kurvis of Djem So. Poku of Niman. Brettel of Soresu. But they are all getting older. I don’t know who the up and comers are.”
“But if you had to pick just one, who is the best of the best?” Rouge pressed.
“Hmm,” Si pretended to think it over. “I’d have to say that if push came to shove, I’d never want to find myself at odds with the Green Dragon.” He leaned over and made a show of cautiously peeking at the art print on the friend wall. “He is gracious on the mats, but a demon in the field.”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed. “Master Yoda is very polite when he pounds your face into the practice mats.”
Yoda patted his knee amid the giggles. “Hope you still have mud mask left I do. Pound your face I will later.”
“I know, Master.”
“Wait until better you are I will. Make sure ready to return to field I will.”
“I look forward to witnessing your superior skill, Master.”
Si and Bes chuckled knowingly.
---
Bes pondered this. For a human, Si was very active for his age and certainly didn’t look 105 when he cleaned himself up. And yes, 105 was on the far end of life expectancy for most humans, but not terribly exceptional for retired Jedi who managed not to die in the field. Hell, Denna was 117, and 120 was not uncommon, though most Jedi of that age and older lived on the floor below, with more attentive care by geriatric and palliative healers, rather than clergy.
--
Master Yoda was perched on the Crystal Master’s shoulder (he liked to spread the ‘riding duties’ around, it let him socialize more easily and he was aware he was surprisingly heavy for his size).
--
Not for the first time, Cin wondered how fast the entire Jedi Order would grind to a halt if Eller caught a cold.
--
Obi-Wan’s eyes were riveted to the screen now, and he was breathing hard. “He followed that tattooed abomination into a Sith-damned deathtrap and let him separate us because he was so damn arrogant he thought he was winning! That fucking asshole!”
--
“Someone he respects . . . Master Drallig?”
“The Battlemaster?” Vygor considered it. “He doesn’t talk about him much, but he does respect him very much.”
Yoda sighed. “Barking up wrong tree that would be. Prefer women Cin does.”
-fin-
link to the ATLL series
Tea on the South Terrace:
A white-haired Kiffar with prosthetic legs introduced himself as Master Bes and was inordinately delighted when Obi-Wan held out the tray and let him select his own cup rather than handing him one.
“You have good Kiffar manners, Knight Obi-Wan,” he smiled. “The docents are nice enough, but they don’t get a chance to learn finer diplomacy.”
“One of my neighbors is Kiffar,” Obi-Wan explained. “And I’ve been to Kiffu before.”
--
Tea on the South Terrace:
Master Yoda gestured around the circle. “Master Bes excellent field Jedi was. Very good negotiator. Retired now.” He nodded at the Twilek. “Master Denna. Also field Jedi and researcher. Editor of meditation book gave you I did.”
“Ah,” Obi-Wan nodded at the elderly woman. “I’ve found your book to be very helpful.”
“Good to hear Jedi are still reading it.” She sipped her tea. “Master Yoda drafted a few of the telekinetic meditations. That was a challenge to edit.” She leaned forward. “Have you read chapter six?”
“Um, it was very informative.”
“Teasing you she is.”
Obi-Wan turned to Yoda in surprise. “You asked me the same thing.”
Yoda laughed. “Yes, my job to ask it is. Watch out for you someone must. Ask everyone Denna does.”
“Meditation is self care,” Denna replied. “All forms are important.”
“Knight Sophia Loris,” Yoda spoke quickly to head off a lecture none of them wanted to hear. “Worked with Tahl in archives did. Help us old people sometimes does. Helped find file for art print.”
Knight Loris laughed. “That was a bit of a challenge, Master. ‘Find a six-hundred-year-old painting in the Archives for a fairly obscure artist with a huge portfolio of commercial work, can’t remember the title. It’s a Jedi with a lightsaber.’ From a Jedi artist. All of her portrait work was of Jedi, nearly all of them with lightsabers.”
--
Tea on the South Terrace:
“Commercial work?” Obi-Wan asked.
“Oh, yes,” Sophia put down her cup, eyes lighting up. “She painted portraits of knights, masters, padawans, all sorts of Jedi for a PR campaign. Painting and prints would go to embassies, satellite temples, hostels that Jedi would stay at. Monarchs and political leaders would display them to show support of the Jedi. Families who gave up children to the Jedi also bought many of the prints. They served to help people empathize with the Jedi, make us seem less other.”
“Helped connect to people did.” Yoda rolled his eyes. “Enjoy posing I did not.”
--
Tea on the South Terrace:
Knight Sophia pulled the pic up on her comm and passed it around to all except Yoda’s delight. “When I finally found it there was great debate amongst the staff as to whether it was Master Yoda or not.”
Obi-Wan laughed. “I thought it was obvious myself, but I’d have to say it’s split about fifty-fifty with my visitors, half of which ask if it’s Master Yoda or comment that it looks like him, and the other half who think the print is everything from a Jedi from the ancient sagas, a character from mythology, and even from a holonet role-playing game. There is general consensus that his hair is awe-inspiring.”
Si laughed. Yoda poked Obi-Wan with his gimer stick. “Tease you should not,” but he smiled when he said it.
“I was serious,” Obi-Wan protested. “I saw two of my neighbors trying to do hair wraps on each other.” The group laughed.
Yoda sighed. “Fashion icon I am not.”
“You have a style that is your own, Master.”
Master Bes coughed ‘diplomat’ under his breath before passing the pic on.
--
Tea on the South Terrace (end):
Yoda put his hand on the palm reader. “Promise I do, next time no chores, no sparring. Make tea you still might.”
“I don’t mind, Master. You have a good night. May the Force be with you.”
“May the Force be with you. Don’t sleep on shoulder.”
Obi-Wan laughed as he headed back toward the lifts, his spirit lighter and his mind full.
--
Master Gi-Ho,katas expert
From Quin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda, Breggle at Obi-Wan's:
“This is much more interesting that the art history classes I’ve taken. This is actual history.”
Obi-Wan leaned his forehead onto his hand, as if he were sensing some foreboding in the Force.
“Heh, history not. Memory is.” He wiggled his ears again. “Young in painting, Green Dragon is. Kind? Hmm, yes, but young. Busy. Not patient enough. Kinder later. Grouch? Hrmm. Surly sometimes. Not grouch unless very bad times. Strong in Force, yes, but learning still what abilities had. Unifying yes. Living yes. More Living a bit at this time. Not mature enough yet to sense time, to feel how fast future comes.” He pointed at Obi-Wan with his gimer stick. “Have that problem you do not.” He turned back to Vos. “More balanced later.” He leaned back again, thinking. “Break Code? Hmm, depends on interpretation. Stub toe in dark and curse, break Code. Take joy in Force, break Code. Emotions we have. Be ruled by them we should not. Have joy he did. Have sorrow he did. Moments of anger, yes. Dark times, yes. Fear, doubts, yes. Long life he had. Find love, yes, few times. Lose love, yes. Turn to Darkness, no. Grieve loss, yes. Attachment, always struggle is, but shirk duty for love, no.”
Both Obi-Wan and Quinlan stared at his with rapt attention.
“Ladies’ man?” He snorted. “Definitely not. Too short.”
“Really?” Quinlan looked back, scrutinizing the print again. “Huh, there really aren’t any landmarks to tell us how tall he was. He’s very proportionate.”
Yoda wiggled his ears more vigorously. Obi-Wan bit his lip.
“A few nice ladies, relationship with he had. Overlook size they could.” Yoda sipped his tea. “A few nice gentlemen too. Monogamous, no. Promiscuous, not really. Jedi then like now. Multiple partners, avoid attachment.”
“Did that work better then?” Quinlan asked, in all seriousness.
“Balance love and attachment eternal struggle is for Jedi. No one answer for everyone is. Find own path each must.”
[...]
Yoda wiped his eyes with his napkin. “Laugh that hard in a long time I have not.” He straightened in his seat, putting his robes to rights as Quinlan sat back down, still laughing himself. “Ladies man I definitely was not.” He raised his hand level with the top of the head. “Tiny I am. Get new partner, grateful I was. Not lonely, but swinging bachelor not.”
[...]
Yoda frowned. “Make face I do?”
“You do,” Obi-Wan confirmed. “But when I’ve seen it, you were usually holding your morning caff, not your lightsaber, contemplating some aspect of the Force that was beyond my perception.”
This set off another fit of giggles in the ancient master. “Contemplating Force I am not. Waiting for caffeine hit I am.”
Quinlan barked out a laugh of his own.
Obi-Wan shrugged. “Well, you made it look very deep and professional, Master.”
[...]
Yoda almost looked mischievous. “Understand context you must. Take very long it does my species to grow up. Spend whole youth at Temple I did not. When small was, learned of Force, learned meditation, learned reading, learned maths. Too small was for saber drills. Too fine bones were. Body not catch up to brain. Left Jedi I did, go out into galaxy. Meet people. Get bigger. Came back when stronger I was, then padawan I became.”
“And when you came back, they called you Dragon?”
“Hmm, yes. Dragon I was called. Took while to adjust, fit back into Jedi path. Not raised in Temple, so adjustment anyway, but away from Jedi long time was before commit I did.” Both knights were looking at him intently. “Understand you must, traveled several years I did with spacefarers. Not diplomatic ships. Freight haulers. Miners. Refugee ships. When back I came, quiet I was not. Feisty I was. Loud I was.” He paused, peering at each of them. “Potty mouth I had.”
Quinlan slapped a hand over his mouth, failing to smother his laughter. Kenobi fared no better.
“Oh, Master Yoda, you really did breathe fire!” Vos was laughing so hard he was gasping for air.
[...]
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to talk me up to the other knights.”
“Yes, I do.” Yoda’s eyes twinkled. “Talk you up you will not. Master Jinn can’t brag about you. Finish job he did not. Clearly, my job this is.”
Obi-Wan shook his head as he straightened up. “I’m making friends.”
“You are,” Yoda sounded pleased. “Like you Knight Vos does.”
“You are as bad as Bant. I’m not looking to date anyone.”
“Not ready you are?” There was no judgement.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. “Master Yoda, I, . . . I don’t really feel lust for other people.” He braced himself for the response.
“Hmm, surprise me this does not.”
[...]
Yoda reached out with the Force to move the crate to the floor in front of the couch, then slid over until he was sitting next to Obi-Wan. “Strange you are not. Get to know people you do here,” he tapped Obi-Wan’s forehead. “Trust them here, before trust them here you do,” he tapped Obi-Wan’s chest. “Like this you have always been, even as child.” Yoda sighed. “Understand you Master Jinn did not. Feels people he does first with heart, not head. Sometimes first with Force. Sometimes first with gonads. Confuse these he can, but realize this he does not.”
[...]
“So how did you find someone? Did you just . . . trust the Force?”
“Hrmm, yes. Trusted Force. Opened mind.” He put his hand on Obi-Wan’s knee to emphasize the point. “Discovered short women.”
“Short women?”
“Height closer, work better did. Point is, not everything problem is. Seemed insurmountable at time, no one like me there was. In end, matter not. Know I do not what work for you will, but complicated as you think it is not.”
--
“That’s standard Jedi training, navigating by the Force and the stars.”
--
Yoda stretched again, then kicked him gently on the thigh. “Go. Play. Old master take nap will.”
Amused to be kicked out of his own bed, Si stood up and slipped into his silk robe, put on his spectacles, then sat in a chair with an art pad and charcoal. He glanced around the room for inspiration, before settling on Yoda, who had laid back down on his stomach, chin resting on his crossed arms. He began to sketch quickly, knowing his hands would soon be shaking too much to continue.
[...]
“In my will it says to put this pad under my body before the pyre is lit. You’re welcome to keep it of course, but hopefully that will prevent any trauma after I’m gone.” He sketched in the relaxed curve of Yoda’s ears, the graceful lines of the master in repose. “You’re surprisingly well-muscled, given your age.”
“Pot, kettle meet.”
“Old habits and P.T.” He began putting in some shading.
--
“The rest home gets a bit dull,” Si was a touch defensive. He looked at Obi-Wan. “What do you think?”
“About Master Turvis becoming a brother? It would be rude for a student to speculate.” Yoda raised a brow, staring him down. “Didn’t bet, but less than six years, definitely.”
The elders laughed. Yoda patted his knee.
“Attuned to Force you are. Overshare Force does sometimes, yes?”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed.
“Hee, yes, Turvis and Ospen platonic love affair can carry on better if join monastery he does. Happy they would be.”
--
“Did you use the Force to make them feel better?” Bail asked.
“Oh, hell no,” Bes sat up straighter. “I’m not stupid. I wasn’t going to deplete myself to make my enemy feel strong enough to attack again. I used the Force to make their body direct more of their healing energy to the wound. They would heal better and probably hurt less, but it would sap their strength so they would be less likely to try anything dangerous.”
--
Yoda pointed his gimer stick at Obi-Wan. “Made me fat he did.”
“I did?” Obi-Wan seemed stunned.
“Yes. Fat. Gained weight when live with you I did. Both times. When young you were, make tea always you did. Fetch dinner for me you did. Keep pantry stocked you did. Homesick you were. Missed master you did. Growing boy you were, but very stressed. Try to get you to eat I did. Almost chubby I got.”
Si laughed quietly. Obi-Wan looked apologetic.
“Hmm, when young man you were, even worse. Cook you did. Come home I would, dinner made would be. Wake up in morning, make breakfast you would when still trying to wake up I was. Heh, servant I needed not, but make sure fed I was you did.” Yoda leaned back on the couch and patted Obi-Wan’s knee. “Good boy you were. Wanted to take care of me you did. Now good knight you are. Worth it, it was, even if love handles I get.”
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to apologize.
“Oh, please, Master. You don’t have love handles,” Si scoffed.
“Fatter I am.” He pointed at Obi-Wan with his thumb. “All his fault.”
Si leaned over to pick up his tea, staring Yoda down. “I’ve seen you naked. No, you don’t.”
Bes coughed on his tea, slightly scandalized.
“What did Healer Les say about this supposed weight gain?” Si asked.
Yoda sighed. “Healthy weight was. Too thin I was getting.”
Si sighed deeply, a long-suffering look on his face. “Love handles.” He looked at Obi-Wan. “You made him eat and sleep at regular times and forced him to delegate work. He ended up a healthier weight, with better skin and you replaced all the robes he had since Cin was his padawan. You did a good job.”
--
Yoda shrugged. “Pry I did not, see enough I did. Would have guessed if see I did not.” Yoda grew quiet a moment. “Healers thought escaped you did before rape?”
“Yes.” He wrapped his arms around himself. “They threatened and manhandled me, but I escaped before they got very far.”
“Use the rock you did to fight off attacker?”
Obi-Wan winced, not realizing Yoda had seen so much. “Yes, Master.”
Yoda leaned forward and patted his knee. “Good boy. Resourceful you are.”
“Master Drallig told us that the skills used in Breggle could be applied to combat and defense.”
“Yes, very useful skills they are.” Yoda looked at him intently, though Obi-Wan had lowered his head. “Hurt like that before you have been?”
“No.” Obi-Wan made himself raise his head and look Yoda in the eye, despite the twin anchors of anxiety and fatigue weighing him down. “No. It’s not the first near miss I’ve had, but I’ve never been raped.” He hunched in on himself. “This was the first time I was captured when I was alone in the field.”
--
From force thread Yoda saw:
“Quinlan, I don’t know how much you can sense but,” he took a deep breath. “I don’t feel lust like most people. I have to trust someone very much, and care about them before I feel any attraction.”
Qui-Gon and Anakin and Marcus at Dex's:
“I don’t want to live with Master Yoda,” Ani colored in another speeder on his menu, this one yellow. “Mookie says that the ceiling is really low, and all the visitors have to crawl around his quarters.”
Marcus and Qui-Gon burst out laughing.
“Are the initiates still telling each other that?” Marcus snickered, then looked at Anakin. “That isn’t true.”
“His ceiling is little bit low, but even I only have to stoop a little bit.”
Before going to Dex's with Jitters, Vos, and Carlin:
Kenobi was coming out of his own room again and when he caught back up to Jitters he handed him a ration bar. “To tide you over until we get there.”
Jitters was going to decline, but his suddenly howling stomach clearly had other ideas. “Thanks.” He dug in as they waited for the lift, hungry enough that the bland, cardboard-flavored bar tasted great.
In therapy:
Vygor shook his head. “I think you misunderstood me. Retaining old training bonds after knighting is not unusual. Very often they develop into bonds of friendship as they lose the pendantic aspects, and former masters take on new padawans and young knights take padawans of their own.
Scrip account, Stores:
“What the hell am I going to do with thirty-two thousand credits in scrip?”
Bes giggled some more. “Buy Master Yoda socks and underwear?”
“He doesn’t wear socks.” Si seemed bewildered. “His underwear is custom made though. He used to complain about padawan underwear being so much cheaper until I convinced Stores to make a bulk order because he would live long enough to use it all.”
--
In the middle of the night, Master Yoda woke up as was his wont, and decided to check his messages. There were a few updates on Council business, some personal correspondence, some automatic notices.
Obi-Wan and Bant's swamp camping trip:
Bant knew her own S-evaluation was less extensive than was typical for humans due to having a mating season. Siri had reported hers had gone on *forever* due to her history of emotional volatility.
[...]
Bant thought back on how Obi-Wan had spoken of Satine when he and Master Qui-Gon had returned from that mission. They were all quite sure Obi-Wan had a crush on the girl, and equally sure he hadn’t acted on it, but she had always assumed he had wanted to, that he would take time for himself to think of her and stimulate his privates when he was alone, the same way she would lie submerged in the tub, draw water down deep into herself, then stroke her folds over and over, imagining it was her master’s hand, having absurd fantasies of presenting her eggs to her master, no matter that they were both female, no matter that Tahl was near-human. She would rub and imagine it was Tahl’s hand stroking her there, that Tahl’s hand would slowly, teasingly slip inside to stimulate a release and it would feel so good, it would come in waves like the water in the lagoon, and she would lose herself to it, moaning under the water.
She knew humans did similar things, rubbed themselves alone or with lovers. She got older, and then it was her beloved master’s hand stroking her patiently, not just there, but all over, and then it was inside and it was wonderful, it was so much better than doing it alone, and she was so eager they once did it every night for a full week straight and she began to understand why her master so enjoyed visiting with Master Qui-Gon. Then her master had shown her how to pleasure a human female, how to feel a lover in the Force, and what it felt like to make love to someone you shared a bond with, and it was awkward and messy and wonderful as she learned what made her master moan and cry out behind closed doors. It was a beautiful experience, when she had truly learned to feel the Living Force inside herself, to feel another being’s pleasure, and to feel her master’s deeper love through their bond.
[...]
Those strong in the L tended to build bonds in real time, growing slowly, then rapidly expanding if the bond was healthy. Those strong in the U tended to lay the foundations of a bond ahead of time, their brains laying the groundwork so it was ready if needed, often giving the sensation of a spontaneous, often instantaneous connection when contact was made.
Si and Bes after their first kiss:
“You do realize I have sex with Yoda on a fairly regular basis, don’t you?”
Bes’s eyes widened. He had forgotten that in the rush of the kiss.
“He’s less than half my height and more than ten times your age,” Si continued. “And green. And his feet are Force-damn freezing all the time.
[...]
Si wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “Master is the only person I’ve been intimate with in,” he frowned, trying to remember. “Too long. But no, I am not the only lover he keeps. Far from it.” He shook his head. “I can’t keep up with him.” He laughed again. “Besides, even if you and I did eventually decide on an exclusive relationship, Master’s not going to run out of lovers anytime soon.” He snorted. “The horny little toad still has game as they say.”
“Really?” Bes tried not to imagine.
Si chuckled again. “Let’s just say that the Green Dragon is still taking on new riders.”
Quinlan and Bes at the art show:
“Gris Reddy? Yes, he was a contemporary of Si. Maybe a little older. Brilliant man. Worked in Archives in Information Logistics. Spent long hours waiting for intel to come in. Used to paint while he was waiting. He and Si were good friends with each other and also with Nico Aleut. I know Nico sold some of Gris’s work. He even did a show once.”
[...]
“And he has almost all of his own teeth! That’s huge in the rest home.”
Quinlan laughed outright. Psychometric persons learned way too much about their partner’s dental work.
Qui-Gon about Si, to Tahl:
Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. “Monti hasn’t been in the field in twenty years and even then, that was libraries and archeological digs. And Silvanus,” he made a disgusted noise. “He’s always been a . . . “
“A what?” Tahl asked, a note of warning in her voice.
“A powderpuff,” Qui-Gon mumbled.
“A powderpuff?”
“You know, all style, not backed by substance and skill.”
“Because he’s an artist?”
“I suppose as a Temple-based Jedi he had more freedom to indulge his hobbies, but he wasn’t committed, to the Order or the Force.”
“Is that your opinion or your master’s?” Tahl asked.
Jinn grumbled.
“Or do you choose to believe Master Silvanus is shallow in his commitment to the Force because he so often butted heads with you?”
“Master Dooku and I were in agreement in regards to Master Silvanus.”
“Why?” Tahl’s expression revealed she clearly did not agree. “And if I recall correctly, even Master Dooku warned you that Master Silvanus was not to be trifled with in the salle.”
“He . . . associated with half-drunk artists, spent too much time dancing and slept around. A lot.”
[...]
“How do you want it?” she asked as she began to tease him with the lubricated toy, just pressing lightly, not turning it on. “Steady? Increasing? Pre-programmed?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I didn’t realize your toy collection was so fancy.”
She began to press it in slowly, letting him decide when to stop. “My other lovers like them more than you do. I always assumed your strength in the Living Force meant you preferred the joys of the flesh over electric ecstasy.”
Si and Bes alone time:
“If you wanted something less physical, we could perhaps indulge in some erotica. If you wanted something more physical,” he shrugged. “You’ll need to tell me what you had in mind. Simultaneous masturbation is an option, if you aren’t ready for full intimacy. Or we could pleasure each other. Obviously, I have trouble with my hands, but let’s just say I have an embarrassing number of personal devices to help with that.”
“You do?” Bes asked, stunned.
Si rolled his eyes. “Master doesn’t just bring me sweaters.” He sighed. “I try not to imagine who has to order them for him.”
After the locker room:
As they walked through the Temple, Yoda became aware that Obi-Wan’s shields were in shambles and his emotions were too turbulent for him to hide. Yoda paused before they left the complex, surrounding the knight with a protective shield.
--
After the locker room, in Yoda's padawan room:
Many lovers I have had. Eight hundred years old I am. Many padawans I have had too. Told you I did, masters guided padawans in this, long before S-training. The Force very powerful is, strong it is in Jedi. Complicate sexual relationships it can. The Force moves with katas, saber duels, Breggle, meditation. Moves with sex the Force does too. The Force tells of the future and the present, tells us more about our lovers than others see. Different temptations exist for Jedi. Control minds for sex one must not. Most padawans think S-training about emotional control of the self is. Part of it that is, important it is, but not all. S-training is about being a good, responsible adult when sex you have, not controlling passion only. S-training is about letting go of control safely, so control more important things you do. S-training is about healthy relationships to have, about learning sex to enjoy, but to be manipulated by your lovers not.
[...]
“Just checking I was.” He lowered his head. “Lovemaking with humans not so different is, but all the combinations will work not. Small I am. Smaller orifices I have. The sensitive places slightly different are. But in general the same it is. Enjoy touch I do. Enjoy touching I do. My penis very sensitive is, feel very good touch there can. Enjoy kissing I do. When against a lover I rub, very good that can feel. Climax I still can, feel very good it does. Give my partner a climax I can, feel very good also that does. Touch my lovers I do, with my hands, with my body, with my tongue, with my penis, with the Force. Touched I can be the same way. Feel very good lovemaking can, but trust one must have, fear not. Casual sex I can have, sex with friends enjoy I can, but you, trust so much you must. Share this we can if trust me you do.”
[...]
“Yes, a path to the Dark Side attachment can be. A path to pain, strife, and suffering it can be. But many Jedi live and love with bad outcomes not. Some like Qui-Gon are, a primary partner they have, but exclusive they are not. Some like Yan are, no primary partner, but multiple partners he had, with commitment to none. Some have a monogamous partner, live together they might, but on separate missions they go, separate lives they have. Some pair with their working partners do, very careful they must be. Attachment can form from habit as much as from love.”
“Is that why I was too attached to Master Jinn? Because I was around him so much and was accustomed to having him?”
“Not quite. Habit the root of problem was not. Manipulative to you he was. Cold he was. Isolated you he did. Take his love for granted you could never. Withhold affection he did, approval he withheld also. Affirmation he gave you not, and prevent you from getting it elsewhere he did. Much love in you there is to give, greedy for it he was, but give it to you in return he would not. An unhealthy need to please him you had, exploit this he did. Began this when a child you were, stop it you could not, but growing beyond it now you are, every day. Some attachment in a padawan for their master normal is. A mentor they are, a guide they are. Vows to each other made you had. But a vow to the Force you made also. Expect to be loved masters do, but also expected to temper attachment in self and help the padawan the same to do, not to manipulate the padawan into staying attached like Qui-Gon did, like Qui-Gon was with Xanatos. Protect himself he did at your expense. Time spent with me allowed you time to detach. Time it gave you to separate the will of Qui-Gon from the will of the Force. In love, care one must take to separate the will of the self, the desires of the self from the will of the Force you must. A good example of this Master Jinn is not.”
“Really?” Obi-Wan asked. “It wasn’t the will of the Force that he have lovers across the galaxy, or to step in to take someone from their home on every mission and expect the Jedi or the Republic or their government to foot the bill?”
Yoda snorted. “Good thing that Dooku he was not. Bankrupted Serrano would be.” They both giggled.
[...]
“People might talk. I’m much younger than you are in terms of life experience. I may harm your credibility, even if we are discreet.”
“Hmm, yes. Mocked you might be if choose to ride the Green Dragon you do.”
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at the euphemism. “It wouldn’t be the first time I was accused of that,” he admitted.
“Know this I do.”
Obi-Wan grew still. “I always hoped you hadn’t heard.”
“An old man I am, heard it before I have. Teased I was about sleeping with Grandmaster Nehi, but the same species we were, more friendly the teasing was.” He resettled against the knight. “Hostile your peers might be. Hostile my peers might be.”
“Would this upset the Council?”
“For loving me? No.” Yoda patted him reassuringly. “Lovers most Council members do have. Discretion is preferred, flaunt a relationship we must not. A good example I must be. But keeping this a secret is required not. Expect surprise from them I do, tease me they might, but upset they will not be. Question you some of them might. The Grandmaster I am. Ensure that coerced you were not they will want to be.”
“Because I’m a virgin or because they think I’m a child?”
“Because a young man you are, a junior colleague. Check up on each other we do. A child they don’t think you are, but if choose to be with this old lizard you do, be sure by your choice it is they will want to be.”
[...]
Obi-Wan was silent, seriously considering it. “I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like what you’ve suggested. But . . . I don’t think I would have a problem with it. I’m not jealous now. I don’t feel possessive of you. You’re Master Yoda, you were always a gift in my life that was shared. And I wouldn’t ask you for monogamy, even if we choose . . . to move forward. I have no skills or experience. I’m keenly aware that I cannot satisfy your sexual desires on my own and I’m only home rarely. I know my own sex drive is much lower than average, or it usually is anyway. I would not expect I would be enough for you and I would fail to meet your needs by myself.”
“Hmm.” Yoda took a moment to digest this. “Prefer me to have other lovers you would?”
“I think so,” Obi-Wan replied. “I want you to be happy, Master, to have a healthy and fulfilled life.”
“Hmm, take other lovers you will?”
Obi-Wan sighed. “I still haven’t decided on you, Master, much less anyone else. I can barely wrap my mind around that concept. The idea of being with other people, I . . . I can’t imagine trusting anyone else enough to do so. At least not right now.”
[...]
“Hmm,” he sat up and held his hand up to his chest, as if demonstrating a height. “Everything above here, okay to touch is. Gentle with my ears be. Feel good the touch will but lead to more it will not.”
[...]
Obi-Wan carefully used his fingers to ruffle the half-ring of downy white hair at the base of Yoda’s skull. Yoda sighed, and his face flushed, turning a brighter, deeper shade of green, warming to Obi-Wan’s touch. He curled and uncurled his ears contentedly.
[...]
“Strange do I feel?”
“No.” Obi-Wan traced a finger along his cheek, feeling his lover’s skin. “I really don’t touch people often, and those I do aren’t all human. And I’ve held your hands before. Your skin is a little cooler than I was expecting.”
“Run cooler than humans I do. Just a little. Warm humans feel to me, very nice to lay on they are.”
[...]
“Close we have been before. Pressed against each other not but touched before we have.”
“Yes.” Obi-Wan remembered nights when he had cried out his sorrows in this room, shared meditations at sunrise on the balcony, and evenings in the sitting room, watching the holonews or just sitting together as he sought to quiet his mind and find peace during turbulent times. “You were always gentle if I was hurting or wounded. It was safe to be imperfect with you.”
[...]
“Feel your love I can, through our bond, and in the Force. Warm my heart on lonely nights this will, much more than memories of physical love.”
Obi-Wan reached out to stroke Yoda’s hair again. “Are you just saying that so you won’t scare me away?”
“No,” Yoda chuckled. “Strong in the Force I am. The strongest sense of mine it is. Stronger than sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste it is. Feel you in the Force I can. Touch my mind you do.” He tweaked the bond gently, purring as the knight beneath him gasped at the sensation, the pleasure from the contact growing as his brain became attuned to it. “Sharing physical love with me already you are. More that is than anything I thought to have with you. A gift in my life you are. Worry not about going slow. Savor the experience do.”
Yoda settled back down against Obi-Wan’s chest, curling his toes in delight when he felt warm lips brush against the top of his head.
[...]
Yoda laughed harder. “A Force tendril that probably was. Do that sometimes Koli does. Feel my joy they can, want a taste they do.”
“Koli the ficus?” He knew Yoda was very close with his plants, but he only knew their names because their pots were labelled. He had never really bonded with his succulents himself.
“Yes!” Yoda flopped down against him, still giggling in delight.
“And the short one in the kitchen?”
“My herb box that is.” Yoda didn’t name the plants he ate.
Obi-Wan still looked a bit disturbed. “And Koli and his friends decided to show themselves now?” He actually seemed disappointed their intimacy had been so abruptly interrupted. “Did I upset them?”
Yoda broke out into fresh peals of laughter. “No! Always there they have been. See them now you did.”
“I did? Why?”
Yoda kissed his cheek reassuringly. “Discover the other reason for S-training you have.” He managed to quiet his chuckles with effort. “Starting to kindle desire you were. Starting to get aroused you were. Open your mind to the Living Force that can.” He tried to keep a straight face, but giggles still escaped. “Jerk off in the woods you never have?”
Obi-Wan looked vaguely disgusted by the idea of outdoor autoeroticism. “No.”
“Hee, hee. Books there are on that too. And the Passion Garden.” He sighed, serious again. “Teach you this Qui-Gon did not. Sex and masturbation open the mind to the Living Force can. Sex often more so, especially if lean toward the Unifying Force you do. Frighten many virgins this can, even without terrifying houseplants. Move the Force does with lovemaking, with sex. Frighten new lovers this can. So many Jedi very frightened of sex were. That’s why older masters teach younger Jedi do, so afraid of their own power they would not be.”
[...]
Yoda shrugged. “Go to the Passion Garden you could,” he teased. “Warn you I must, some of the trees there less polite than Koli are.”
“Um, no. I’ve had quite enough of gardening tonight, Master. Not to mention the people in the Passion Garden.”
“Hmm, good point. Fond of the Passion Garden Qui-Gon is.”
Obi-Wan grimaced. “Don’t remind me.” He didn’t like to think about how much time his former master tended to spend ‘meditating’ there.
[...]
“Master,” Obi-Wan sounded awed. “You’re made of stars.”
“Yes, my Love,” Yoda continued to stroke him. “Made of stars you are too.”
“I saw the stars inside you.”
Yoda bit back a laugh, amused that Obi-Wan was more stunned by his glimpse of the Living Force than his orgasm. “Saw your Light I did too. Another beautiful gift it was.”
[...]
“Master Jinn always got loud faster.”
“Know this I do. Poor Master Tahl, take his time he does not.”
The next day:
Start with meditation S-training does. Reading. Patience exercises. Self-exploration.
[...]
“Master of the Living Force I am. Very clean you are, no germs you have. Tell me this the Force does.” He patted Obi-Wan again, still chuckling. “Strong in the Unifying Force you are. Expect the Force to tell you this over a healer’s report you should not.”
[...]
“The Jedi teachings don’t discuss reincarnation,” Obi-Wan spoke quietly. “They tell us we release ourselves into the Force and become one with it. That we don’t retain our identities.”
“Come back the same people do not, but the core, the soul recognizable can be. Become one with the Force we do when die we do, but with us the Force is when alive we are. Think I do that gives back some souls the Force does. Know why this is I do not. Know I do not if some return not or if all return but few recognized are. Study this the Jedi do, but figure it out we have not. Someday the teachings change might, but hmm, wrong they are not. Just that more can happen than understand we do.”
[...]
Yoda kissed him on the nearest patch of bare skin. “Told you I did, fear this you should not, but understand it I do. Very nervous I was during my first time. Short woman she was but much taller than I am. So much more experience she had. But a very good teacher she was, patient, kind, and open-minded. Disappointed she was not when came quickly I did.” He chuckled quietly. “Mortified I was, but just laughed she did. Told me she did that my penis just one organ was, other instruments of pleasure I still had. Taught me to use my mouth for better things than swearing she did.” He smiled at the memory. “If enjoyed kissing me you did, thank her you can. Not the only teacher I had she was, but the first one I had who was brave enough to kiss the Green Virgin.”
Obi-Wan laughed. “I don’t recall reading about the Green Virgin in the sagas.”
“Hmm, write sagas she did not, but write poetry she did. Have her book somewhere I do. Show you later I can if interested you are.”
[...]
“Hmm. Smart young man you are.” Yoda snuggled against him. “Start out slow we should. Want to feel your touch I do. Want to feel your lips against my body I do. Want to feel your strong hands on my back I do while kiss the breath out of me you do.” He paused. “When ready you are, want to feel your gentle touch on my penis I do. When close to climax I am, feel your warm hand pressing on my testicles I want, until stop my moaning I cannot.” /// “Hmm, what else I would like?” He chuckled quietly. “Massage I enjoy, feeling your hands on my body. On my back. On my shoulders. Stroking my neck. Want to rub myself on your body I do. With clothes. With clothes not. Want to sit in your lap with our penises between us, stroking, rubbing, gripping them together.” /// “Hmm, want to taste different parts of you, just your mouth and neck not. Hmm, want to find new ways to bring you to climax I do. Want to find new ways for us to climax together I do.” There was a significant pause. “Want to feel you inside my body I do.”
Yoda felt confusion over the bond.
“You aren’t referring to the tongue-kissing, are you?”
“Hmm, no.”
“I’m still not sure what you mean. The only act I can think of you said won’t work.”
Yoda laughed. “Close you are. Your penis still too big is.” He reached back for Obi-Wan’s hand, pulling it across his shoulders to lay on Obi-Wan’s chest in front of his face. “Beautiful, fine fingers you have. If slow and careful we are, fit they will.” Yoda pressed against him, humming in pleasure. “A long time it has been since a good fuck I have had. Toys we would need to start with but, hmm, if ever ready you are,” he shifted, releasing his hot arousal to the Force rather than letting it flow into the bond. “Take your fine fingers into my body I would like. Let you touch me deep inside I would. So warm, so deep, so full it would feel. A lifeless toy not, but part of your body, so deep inside. So much farther than reach I can myself. Every move, every twist, feel it I would. Touch my glands from inside you would, set fire to my nerves your touch would. Cover my mouth with your kiss you would have to, muffle my screams of passion you would.”
“Oh,” Obi-Wan sounded a bit breathless. “I know I’m not ready for that.”
Yoda laughed, sending him loving reassurance. “Ready for that I am not also. A very long time it has been. Less complicated ways to make love there are.” He stroked Obi-Wan’s fingers. “Content to feel your hands on the outside I am.” He wrapped his fist around Obi-Wan’s index finger, testing the girth. “Hmm, yes, narrow enough to take this into my body it is if slow and gentle you are. So good that would feel.” He leaned over, kissing the fingertips. “Be inside your body I could be too, if want that you do. Cover my claws I can. Hurt you I would not.”
[...]
“Know you do that wake up at night I do. Woke I did slowly, warm dreams I was having. Remember them well I do not, but with me you were and in the dream warm our bond was. Touching me I think you were, but in a sexual way not. In my half-awake mind, feel your gentle touch I did, feel like our bond open was, felt like hugging me you were, smell you I could and real that was. All mixed up and half-awake I was.”
“And that made you think I was, um, attractive?”
“No,” Yoda snorted. “Already knew I did that beautiful and sexy you are. Old I am. Blind I am not. Realized my body did that not only platonic love had for you I did. When work up I did, hard I was. Smell you I could with every breath, wrapped up in traces of you in the Force I was. So far away I knew you were.” He ducked his head. Obi-Wan could feel slight heat as Yoda flushed again. “Touch myself I did.”
“Did it feel good?” Obi-Wan asked quietly.
“Yes. Know how to take care of myself well I do. Very good it felt. Closed my eyes I did so that see you I could. Stroked my hard penis I did. Pretended I did that your arms around me were, that hold me you would while pleasure myself I did. That sharing each other’s breath we were. So good it felt, very aroused I was, hard and leaking in my sleep I had been. Soon slippery it was, rub harder and faster I did, and soon moaning your name I was, so close I was getting, so good, but wanted your touch I did, wanted to feel your breath on my neck, wanted to feel your mind touch mine I did, and kriff, wanted your real arms around me because shaking I was, shaking so hard when finally came I did with your face in my mind.”
[...]
“Good to hear this is, Beautiful. Deserve wonders you do.” He stroked down with his foot again. “Kiss me here will you?” He stroked again, savoring Obi-Wan’s sigh of pleasure. “Enjoy being touched here I do too. Caress me here you would, Beautiful?” He slid his foot again. “Caress me here until beg you for climax I do?”
Obi-Wan frowned, even as he trembled. “Would you want that? That sounds cruel.”
“Ah, no,” Yoda chuckled. “An acquired taste that is.” He patted Obi-Wan’s hip reassuringly. “Beg you I would not because denying me you would be. Build slowly the pleasure would, so close to my peak I would be. If kiss me there you would, if take it slow like doing I am now,” he stroked again, waiting for Obi-wan to shudder and sigh, hiding his pleased surprise when their bond pulsed and his own mind warmed in the shared feelings. “Linger on the joyful edge I could, trembling with ecstasy, our bond flooded with our love. When ready to move on, when wait for climax I no longer can, beg you for release I might. Desperate I might feel, but know I do that torment me you would not.” He stroked again, and there was a hitch in the sigh this time.
Wh-what if I couldn’t?” Obi-Wan asked, eyes tightly shut. A damp spot had formed on his pants, though Yoda was fairly sure he hadn’t noticed. “What if I can’t pleasure you like that?”
Yoda leaned over and kissed him right above his waistband. “Told you I did, teach you how to love me I can. Also bossy I can be. Tell you what I want I will. Force you I will never, but shy I am not. But worry you should not. When that worked up I get,” he pressed against Obi-Wan’s hand which had been stroking him intermittently amid understandable distraction. “Your simple touch in the right place, mmm, set me off like a rocket it would.”
“Oh,” Obi-Wan giggled at the mental image.
[...]
Obi-Wan startled at the sensation. “Master? How long is your tongue?”
Yoda pulled away, chortling. “Normal size it is.” He chuckled, kissing Obi-Wan’s belly apologetically. “A lizard I am. Fit in my mouth it does. Short enough for talking it is, but, hmm, stretchy it is.”
“For catching insects?” Obi-Wan asked.
Yoda stroked his foot again, not wanting his lover to lose focus. “No. Sticky it is not. Scientists think for cleaning the ears it is. Small children do that will when grow their ears do, and when shed their skin they do. Very itchy that is.”
He could see Obi-Wan try to imagine this, despite considerable distraction. “That’s rather long.”
“Also good for kissing it is.” Yoda leaned down again, but rather than kiss him, he tickled him with his elongated tongue, chasing after the twitching muscles. “Heh, many uses it has, ready for them all you are not.”
[...]
Yoda chuckled. “Masturbate with your mouth before have you? Short tongue you have but very flexible you are.”
“Not that flexible. Ah!” he gasped as his lover resumed his love-making.
“Hmm, seen you practice Ataru I have.” He licked again. “Flexible enough I think you are. Enough motivation you have not.”
“I c-can’t say I ever tried.”
Yoda snorted. “Difficult for me this is not. Stretchy tongue I have. Teach me not to do that in public Brother Bodan had to do.”
Obi-Wan covered his mouth again, but this time to hold in a laugh. “They left that out of the sagas too.”
Latin being the Ancient Tongue:
“Intus in copore movet. Nam et nos unum sumus.”
The Force moves in me, for we are one.
Vox sonat in manu saecula.”
“The voice of my hand echoes for centuries.”
“Finis incrementum sapienta oblita es.”
“Forgotten wisdom limits our growth.”
“In sapienta ambulate pacificus.”
“Walk with peaceful wisdom,”
“Dance together with the Living Force I do. We walked in the body. We learned in the universe.”
Polyamory was not for the faint of heart, even if it was the norm within the Order.
[...]
Re: whistling noises heard in the Force while Obi-Wan and Yoda meditated together:
“So was the second song your soul?”
Yoda smiled softly. “Yes. Hear your soul call to mine I did. Chose to answer you I did.” He patted Obi-Wan’s hand. “Comes with strong emotions and strong bonds it does. Singing it was because a bond port you had but hearing it you are because developing your mind and your Force connection you have been. Singing in joy your soul is because growing our bond we are.”
Epilogue lunch:
Simet shook his head. When his master chose denial, he committed fully. “Master, when six-year-olds follow you around, it’s because you are bright and shiny in the Force and they can hear your soul-song. When sixteen-year-olds follow you around, even when they are mercilessly mocked for it and continue to do so, it’s because a nascent bond is forming, and it feels good.”
[...]
“Master, as much as it pains me to agree with anything Master Silvanus has to say, in this trivial matter he is correct. You most definitely have a type.”
Yoda looked stunned, but it wasn’t clear if it was because of the opinion or because Yan had actually agreed with Simet.
“You have two very distinctive types, in fact,” Yan continued. “You tend to court wild and uncouth women and bookish, studious men who act like monks.”
[...]
“What brings you back to your old life?” Qui-Gon asked. “I honestly didn’t think you would ever come back, even just to visit.”
“Nonsense, Padawan. I left the Order. I didn’t forget my old friends. I needed some information that the Exploration Corps is the most accurate source for.”
Jocasta preened.
[...]
“A very platonic romance it was,” Yaddle told a rapt audience, still recounting stories of Yoda’s friendship with Brother Maatalous. “Watching them so irritating was. Like a bad holo-drama they were, always waiting for them to kiss we were. Do so they never would. So frustrating it was.”
Ospen gave Turvis a raised eyebrow. “I don’t want to kiss you.”
“Thank the Force,” Turvis replied.
[...]
“Same,” Simet agreed. “Master Yoda is a generous and talented lover.”
“I think it’s his kind heart.” Cin’s smile became a smirk. “And his six-inch long tongue.”
Gi-Ho looked seriously disturbed. Ospen seemed as if he were trying to figure out why that would be appealing.
“Let’s not forget his truly unique penis,” Simet joined in, just to watch Gi-Ho squirm.
“He’s very creative with his technique,” Cin concurred.
“I don’t want to hear anymore!” Gi-Ho whined.
From the ATLL Reference Guide:
102 BBY: Yan Dooku Born
92 BBY: Qui-Gon born in legends and in universe
80 BBY: Qui-Gon born in canon
59 BBY: Quinlan Vos born in universe
57 BBY: Obi-Wan born in canon and in universe
44 BBY: Jedi Apprentice series starts in canon and in universe
32 BBY: TPM in canon and in ubuverse, Obi-Wan is 25, Anakin is 9, Qui-Gon is 60
32-30 BBY: events of ATLL
28 BBY: events of Faithful Friends. Obi-Wan is 29, Anakin is 12, Qui-Gon is 64
Original characters:
Bail Antilles Jr: son of Senator Bail Antilles Sr, and a noble prince of the Elder House of Antilles on Alderaan. A distant cousin to Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is referred to as ‘Bail-Bail’ in the press as his father is ‘Big Bail’ and his older cousin Bail Organa is ‘Little Bail.’
Master Denna: a very powerful, though elderly Twilek Jedi Master who lives on the South Terrace. She had a long career as a diplomat, and authored or edited academic texts and handbooks about becoming more attuned to the Force. Despite her age she is still quite sexually active and is an incorrigible flirt. She is somewhat older than Simet Silvanus, and they are old friends.
Docent From Hell: the docent in charge of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s dorm when he was an initiate. He was not Force-sensitive and lived under the protection of the Jedi. He was reassigned after it was shown he was not serving the children’s needs.
Sister Drish: a Jedi nun who lives on the South Terrace. When she is not working in the retirement home, Sister Drish brings babies and small children to the Jedi Temple for training if their homeworld is relatively close and safe. Sister Drish brought Obi-Wan Kenobi to the temple as a baby. In the retirement home she looks after Master Clearing and the other residents, often at night or in the early morning. She also does crafts, including beading and drawing, and sometimes teaches the Jedi children.
Eller: personal assistant to Master Yoda and Master Windu. She is not a Jedi, is not particularly Force sensitive, but highly intelligent and reads people well. She was poached from a bad job situation by Master Windu and rose through the administration ranks quickly. She makes the Temple run smoothly. She is from Correlia and still has family there. She is a woman of color. Eller is her last name, but whether it is her first or last name is hotly debated by some Jedi.
Healer Les: Yoda and Yaddle’s healer. He is a general healer, but also specializes in their species and has a weakness for Telosian mint candies.
Mann-Gel: the producer of Good Morning, Coruscant! Sometimes can be heard on air, but usually does not appear on camera. A long-lived Kepp, he has been producing the morning news for decades. He is also a producer for other news programs, including Weekend Morning and The Weekend Press.
Jitten “Jitters” Norwal: a Jedi Knight and engineer who works primarily out of the Jedi Temple. He specializes in optimizing interfaces for Force-sensitive users, such as starfighter control panels. He suffers from general and social anxiety and is a patient of Healer Vygor. He is not confident in his saber skills and has a tendency to work all night to his detriment. He is mentored by Master Bert Ogthorne and is working a side project with a neuroscientist to study how the brain adapts to Breggle as a model of Force capacity and neural plasticity. Jitters is a bit younger than Obi-Wan Kenobi and is his neighbor during his young Knight years and was very intimidated by Master Yoda until he got to know him. Kressa Carlin is trying to set him up with Marni. (HLA: Okay, so not Jitendra.)
Marni: a contemporary of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his neighbor during his young knight years. Kressa Carlin is trying to gently set Marni up with Jitters.
Master Bes Skvyiweutj: a retired Kiffar Jedi Master, and former diplomat who specialized in the Inner Rim. A Niman practitioner, he was known as the Master of Ricochet. He is moderately psychometric and a mentor to younger Kiffar Jedi, including Quinlan Vos, with whom he shares a love of art and attends art shows with. He is a double lower leg amputee due to injuries sustained in a starship crash and has prosthetic sockets permanently affixed to his leg stumps, to which he attaches either metal lower legs or walking caps. He medically retired after his amputations (and other related injuries) and lives on the South Terrace because he was never able to regain enough balance and stability to live alone. He is very self-conscious of his scars and missing limbs, and spent a long time avoiding intimate relationships. He is homosexual and is in non-monogamous relationships with Simet Silvanus and Monti Barro. He had a crush on Simet from when he was sixteen years old (when it was inappropriate as Simet is much older) until he was in mid-seventies when he finally confessed. His last name is difficult to say, so he usually just goes by his first name. (His last name is the third result from a random letter generator).
Frazzi Shonk: a Jedi initiate and agemate of Anakin Skywalker hoping to become a padawan. (HLA: this is just a cool name)
Original Locations:
Barracks: temporary housing for Jedi. Barracks A is typically used for visiting students who reside outside the Main Temple. Barracks B typically houses students that have been evicted for disciplinary issues or Jedi that are being housed under supervision but aren’t incarcerated (ie. under curfew). Barracks C typically houses traveling/nomadic Jedi who don’t maintain permanent housing when they are in Temple. Barracks D typically houses Service Corps Jedi who are visiting the Main Temple for training or between assignments. Jedi can also stay temporarily in the Barracks if there is a maintenance issue in their quarters, or if their master or roommate is entertaining an intimate guest. Groups of young padawans sometimes choose to have sleepovers together in Barracks A rather than their master’s quarters. New Knights are sometimes housed temporarily in Barracks C when they return from their first missions until their new quarters are ready.
Chancellor’s Bunker: a secure bunker several levels below the Chancellor’s Official Residence. It is connected to the residence by a well-hidden elevator to allow the Chancellor to escape the residence in an emergency and to either stay in the bunker or to escape on foot to the surface on the edge of the G-Red, close to the Senate District, making it possible to escape from the Senate District entirely (and the planet if necessary) or to reach the Senate Building undetected.
Council Tea Salon Alcoves: a set of alcoves in the Visitor’s Hall, this is where the members of the Jedi High Council hold their tea salons, a place where other Jedi (and to a lesser extent, outside visitors) can meet socially and informally with them over tea. Both business and social development happens in the salons on any given day. Each council member has their own alcove, though there are additional alcoves, some dedicated to preparing tea and small treats, and some for spontaneous gatherings. Visitors and council members alike tend to move back and forth between the alcoves, and not every council member will host on a given day.
Gambling and Red Light District (G-Red): as the name implies, the district on Coruscant where gambling and prostitution are concentrated. There are high class areas for the high rollers and low-class areas that are more sleazy. The Las Vegas of Coruscant.
North Terrace: the section of the Jedi Temple where the Creche and the Initiate Complex are located, as well as the Intake Department where new potential Jedi are processed and quarantined.
Pan-Alderaan Cultural Center: located near the Pan-Alderaan embassy, the cultural center celebrates the culture of Alderaan and its former colony worlds, including Stewjon and Colstev.
Pavillion: a large room within the Jedi Temple, below the Visitor’s Hall. A place where Jedi come together for large in-house gatherings, including holiday folk dancing. It is surrounded by a balcony and there are smaller gathering halls surrounding it.
South Terrace (and lower floors): the South Terrace is where the Jedi Retirement Home is located in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Simet Silvanus, Master Bes, Master Denna, Sophia Loris and Wallace Clearing live here, as do the clergy who take care of the elderly residents. The terrace itself is covered in clear ‘glass’ to let the sunlight in but keep the weather out, and the space has lush lawns and gardens which are tended to by clergy and residents, and events are sometimes held there, though it is primarily a communal social area for the residents and clergy. Adjacent to the terrace are the dorms for the clergy and the resident suites and rooms, and the floors below house the more medically fragile residents who need more extensive care, similar to a nursing home/hospice. The dorms, residences, and lower floors are considered to be part of ‘the South Terrace’ when discussing this area, not just the terrace garden. Not all of the residents are elderly. Some of the residents are medically retired or semi-retired (like Sophia Loris, who has a relapsing illness and doesn’t need assistance all the time), and some are living in the home temporarily (such as Knight Cupro who is young and expected to return to independent living after he is healed enough to be fitted with a permanent leg prosthetic). Residents join the home for a variety of reasons, some age related, but often physical disability or mental disability or decline. Residents tend to live in the retirement home when they can no longer live completely independently, and transition to the lower floors when they need intensive care on a constant basis.
Trell: a planet with a Jedi Satellite Healing Temple and Medical Complex. Trell is much more developed than Arkel IV but is a similar distance from Coruscant and is a short trip through hyperspace. It has a more advanced medical facilities than Arkel IV and is where Jedi are generally sent for long term and specialized rehab. Like Arkel IV, Trell has healers for physical, mental and psychological issues and serves patients outside the Jedi. Many injured field Jedi will take all or part of their rehabilitation on Trell.
Vinland Monastery: a Jedi monastery in the Vinland region of Alderaan where wine is produced. There is an Agri Corps facility here, and the winery is a fundraiser for the Order. Ben Lars was doing research here when Obi-Wan Kenobi was conceived.
Original Culture and World Building:
Affirmation Ritual: a prayer bead meditation ritual. The beads involved have symbols carved on them representing different personal qualities and have sentiments related to the symbol imprinted on them in the Force. The beads for this ritual are typically given as a gift to someone having difficult times or in need of affirmation.
Aldera Biennial Summit: a diplomatic summit hosted by the Alderaani royal family and Elder houses occurring every two years in the palace in Aldera. It serves to bring together opposing factions from either new members of the Republic or prospective members and also serves to advertise Alderaan’s tourism industries to said diplomats. It is useful for resolving small diplomatic squabbles before they become larger conflicts. The Senator usually attends, again to improve diplomatic relations. Yoda, Simet Silvanus, Marcus Jerrold, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Reeft, Garen Muln, Knight Xerin, Quinlan Vos and Kressa Carlin have served at the summit over the years.
Alderaani Court Manners: the Alderaani royal court has specific manners that are followed during formal functions, many of which are emulated in the other Elder houses. Bowing shows respect for the monarch and other royals and nobles. Kissing of the hand indicates fealty to the person being kissed. Flowers are bestored by the monarch/royal/noble to show favor or welcome and they are worn as corsages on the lapel or wrist (though flowers in the hair can simply be fashionable). A kiss on the right cheek indicates romantic intent. A kiss on the left cheek is reserved for family and very close friends. When Queen Mazicia publically kissed Obi-Wan Kenobi on the left cheek, she was formally recognizing him as a member of her family, despite his illegitimacy.
Alderaani Naming Conventions for Illegitimate Children: traditionally illegitimacy was very much frowned upon in Alderaani society and children born outside of wedlock were not considered legally part of either parent’s family, and were considered the start of a new bloodline. They were referred to as ‘kin of’ their parents which developed into new surnames. The illegitimate child was given the surname created by adding a K’ or Ke’ prefix to one of the parent’s names, while their descendants would take a similar surname without the apostrophe. Ringus and Bella Antilles gave their illegitmate grandson the name Ben Lars K’Obi to shame his biological father and shield their daughter Obilessa Antilles, rather than name him Obil Antilles Ke’Lars which would make his mother more obvious and trackable. Not wanting to punish the child nor identify her cousin, Mazicia Organa changed the child’s name to conform with the more modern tradition of not identifying the illegitimate child specifically and skipping to a name his descendants would use, thus naming the child Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi, naming him for both his parents but identifying neither. This tradition has fallen out of favor in most of Alderaan in modern times outside of the most conservative Elder houses and there are few Alderaani who keep their Ken- or Kin- names, though it is more common on Stewjon and Colstev, as many such persons moved to the colonies where they faced less social stigma (though there is little on modern Alderaan).
Alderaani Paradox: a medical phenomenon in which Jedi of Alderaani descent were found to be very sensitive to drugs which are usually dosed by midichlorian count. This was later tied to Jedi of Alderaani descent who had lower blood midichlorian counts than expected, which led to the discovery that these Jedi had blood counts that fluctuate depending on whether they are actively using the Force and with illness. This effect correlates with the strength of their perceived Force presence. Study of the blood counts under different conditions and activities led researchers to realize that the higher counts were more representative of the patient’s Force abilities, and the difference in their Force presence between the resting state and when they are actively using the Force is referred to as their ‘swing’. Knight Jerrold has noted that Obi-Wan Kenobi has a larger swing than most other Force sensitive Alderaani he has met. Healer Mendl has been studying the genetics of the Alderaani Paradox and has confirmed that Obi-Wan has this genetic variant.
Friend Wall: a decorating trend among Jedi. As the Jedi typically don’t have close family, they tend to display pictures of their friends grouped into a gallery on one wall. Obi-Wan Kenobi has done this as a knight, and Yoda’s portrait was added to the gallery along with flat pics of his agemates and friends.
Force Currents: movements in the Force that Jedi sense in different ways. Simet often visualizes Force currents, while to Quinlan Vos they feel like warm or cold air currents. Sometimes they are small (as in how the Force moves in response to a person) and sometimes they are on a larger scale (across a region, a planet, or across space). Jedi often discuss Force currents as one would discuss the weather, and changes in Force currents (fresh currents) can stimulate the minds of Force sensitives and lift mood.
Force Portraits: interpretations of a person’s Force signature expressed visually. They can be made with art materials or sketched with Breggle stones. Yoda taught Obi-Wan how to do this while teaching him different Breggle games. What a Jedi sees depends on their relative Force strength and L/U balance, and therefore every Jedi will not see the same thing or necessarily recognize the subject in another person’s composition.
Jedi Commercial Art: Jedi commercial art was part of community outreach. Artists would paint portraits of Jedi knights, masters, students and clergy, and the paintings and prints would be sold commercially so the people throughout the Republic would know what Jedi looked like in general and to humanize them. These works were popular with government officials and with parents who had given up children to the Jedi.
Jedi Dance Education: all Jedi children are trained in basic dance and Jedi folk dances and there are additional classes for older students who want to relearn these skills or learn more. Most Jedi on the path to knighthood learn basic pair dancing as junior or senior padawans, and can take additional courses, particularly if they are in the Diplomatic Core. Master Chenna Coorlis taught many dance classes, for pairs and individuals. Basic dance classes were also essential for the Tannsi School of saber work.
Jedi Folk Dances: Jedi folk dances were typically done in concentric circles or as line dancing, with some variation depending on the size of the group. While they could be done at any time of the year, large dances were held on solstice holidays. Well known dances include the Warmup Dance, the Opening Dance, the Warrior Dance, the Generations Dance and the Closing Dance.
Jedi Retreats (on Arkel IV): Jedi Retreats serve to help Jedi regain or maintain balance. The Jedi facility on Arkel IV has both outdoor training facilities for training padawans and initiates, as well as recreational facilities, including hiking trails, swimming pools, access to an ocean, areas for camping, gardens, meditation spaces, and lodging (cabins and barracks) for Jedi staying there for training or retreat purposes. There are also medical facilities for Jedi undergoing rehab or recuperation, but not as extensive as on Trell. Anakin has visited Arkel IV for initiate camping trips that give the children exposure to the Living Force and experience being out in nature that they can’t get on Coruscant on a planet that is relatively safe from large predators. Obi-Wan has stayed there for medical rehab, but has also gone on retreat with Yoda, which served as both a chance to commune with the Force and as a couple’s vacation.
Kepp: a very long-lived humanoid species with a lifespan that is centuries long. Kepps often break their lives into different seasons, often being stable in one career or life plan for centuries before making a complete change. They often change their names when they embark on a new type of life. Notable Kepp include Slo Min, the former monk and current Jedi tavern keeper and Mann-Gel, the very longtime producer of Good Morning, Coruscant!
LNOK: Legal Next of Kin. Because Jedi do not have families and have been adopted by the Order, they must choose who is considered their next of kin for legal purposes. There is also a Medical Next Of Kin for medical decisions should a Jedi become incapacitated. The LNOK and the MNOK may be the same person but do not have to be. It is customary to have the person in question formally accept this role (there is paperwork), though backup persons are usually just named at the same time. When he was knighted, Obi-Wan selected Yoda as his LNOK rather than Qui-Gon Jinn.
Masturbation and the Force: masturbation (and sexual stimulation in general) can lead to an enhancement of Living Force abilities. This can be advantageous and Jedi have established techniques to make use of masturbation to help restore balance (self-care meditations), or to sharpen abilities (as when Bant masturbated to help see Obi-Wan’s bond port more clearly after catching a glimpse of it. Jedi do consider masturbation to be primarily a private activity done alone or with lovers, but there are public spaces (the Passion Garden) where Jedi can engage in masturbation/sexual activity amidst a garden setting to hone these abilities or simply enjoy the phenomenon, and there are solo and group masturbation/sexual meditations to help focus or reach beyond ones usual ability. Jedi clergy, while celibate, are encouraged to engage in masturbation for both self-pleasure and for using the Force effectively. The phrase Obi-Wan uttered at orgasm when having sex with Yoda, “Intus in copore movet. Nam et nos unum sumus (the Force moves in me, for we are one)” is a phrase uttered by clergy at climax during such rituals, and was further evidence Obi-Wan had been a monk in a previous life.
Meditations: Celestial Night, Memory Walk, Self-Care,
MNOK: Medical Next of Kin. Because Jedi do not have families and have been adopted by the Order, they must choose who is considered their next of kin for medical purposes should a Jedi become incapacitated. This is separate from the Legal Next of Kin, but they can be the same person. It is customary to have the person in question formally accept this role (there is paperwork), though backup persons are usually just named at the same time. When he was knighted, Obi-Wan selected Healer Vygor as his MNOK rather than Qui-Gon Jinn.
Sexuality Training (S-training): Jedi deal with developing sexuality in their padawans (and to a lesser extent Service Corp Jedi) with S-training. Because young Jedi attune themselves to the Force and develop their Force talents much more than the general population, and because the Force and Force sensitivity respond to sexual stimulation, many young Jedi have difficulty in their earliest sexual experiences and the heightened sensitivity can be distracting or frightening. Additionally, because Jedi have mind-influencing abilities, and vows of non-attachment, there are many ways that early sexual exploration could lead young people astray, far beyond unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. S-training deals with these issues with a focus on developing sexually responsible behaviors in the young adults and the Jedi they will become in their later years. It is tailored to the student’s specie, needs and personality. Many students will prefer to train with their own masters, even if this does not conform to their sexual orientation (such as Master Bes), because trust and attunement to the partner is so essential to the process. Some students have familial feelings toward their masters and end up being trained by someone else though their own masters remain involved (such as Monti Barrow). Some masters partially train their padawans, but at some point, must bring in a partner of the same species as the padawan (as was the case for Tahl and Bant). Masters are responsible for guiding their padawans through their first sexual experiences, either by serving as a sexual partner, or by helping their padawan to find an appropriate partner. This process is typically student led in the sense that the student is not to be coerced into activity, but it is the responsibility of the master to ensure the proper lessons are taught. S-training was added to the curriculum a few centuries ago, including guidance for masters, but before that time such training was carried out informally, sometimes after knighthood as Jedi were knighted at younger ages in these eras. Some padawans and masters will continue to have a sexual relationship after S-training (such as Yoda and Simet Silvanus) but most do not. Qui-Gon Jinn is was censored by the Council and no longer permitted to take padawans because among other issues he neglected to give Obi-Wan Kenobi this training.
Urban Scout Girls: an organization to mentor young girls. While camping is not an option on Coruscant, they do learn to make the most of their urban environment and to protect themselves. They earn merit badges that deal with different aspects of life in general and on Coruscant, and sell cookies and treats as fundraisers. Troops from wealthier levels do manage to go on camping trips on other Core Worlds (such as Arkel IV, though their facilities are not close to the Jedi facilities. There is a stereotype that Urban Scout Girls are terrible campers, but very street smart and tough. Master Bes enjoys the cookies. Girl Scouts in Space.
Vigil: when Jedi are ill or injured enough to need care, but not enough to need hospitalization, they are cared for at home around the clock by friends and fellow Jedi. This also can include hospice care if the patient wants to stay at home. Vigils are assigned a color to indicate what care the patient needs (mild illness, severe illness, contagious illness, severe injury, mobility issues, if the patient is improving, or terminal illness) and traditional lamps displaying that color are put up outside the patients room and in the elevator lobby on their floor to notify others of the vigil so they can remain quiet and calm and also so they can find where the vigil is taking place. Before the Service Corp developed vigils were run by the clergy and many modern clergy will regularly serve at vigils, even for Jedi they do not know personally. Yoda held a vigil for Obi-Wan when he became ill and delirious after his failed mission to Dailfo.
Notes quoted from ATLL and sequels:
"I’m Eller. I’m the personal assistant to Grandmaster Yoda and Mace Windu, the Master of the Order.”
--
Light Nights:
"Many of the staff who attend Sixth Night don’t actually know much beyond basic Jedi culture and etiquette and some attend with spouses or partners who don’t work at the Temple, so there are many attendees who aren’t sure what is allowed or expected. Sixth Night is for community building and inclusion. Don’t dress provocatively, don’t flirt with the clergy, and don’t get drunk. They’ll bring through some younglings in a few dances, so watch your language then, and if you want to pair dance, they will do that in an hour or so, then resume the group dances to close the night.”
...
The drum’s rhythm changed again and all the Jedi faced the center circle. Yoda had hopped from Cin to Mace, as he was the tallest in the group, and Mace was now slowly rotating in the center of the circle. Yaddle had stepped down off Koon to take Windu’s place. Both Yoda and Windu raised their hands and above them, in the large open space above the dance floor, there was a bright sparkling light and joy to open the festivities, a crackling, shining and glittering energy release, not unlike Master Monti’s display during the puppet show but on a much larger scale. The dancers all gave one more clap and the drums and dancers stopped, followed by cheers and applause.
--
More Light Nights:
Qui-Gon shrugged, their shoulders brushing. “I never noticed. And I haven’t been here in years.”
“I know.” Tahl tucked her arm into Qui-Gon’s. “Your master would have you over on Sixth Night so he wouldn’t have to dance with the non-Jedi employees.”
“Having plans is the best antidote to Yoda’s nagging.”
Tahl chuckled. “After you’d release Obi-Wan for the evening he would come here with Yoda, so I guess everyone was happy in the end.”
“Oh,” Qui-Gon blinked. “I did not know that.” Qui-Gon tried not to sound as if he felt that was strange.
...
“I see Yoda,” he said at last. “I can’t tell who he is riding.”
Tahl valiantly stifled a laugh.
There were cheers from the crowd and Qui-Gon could catch Yoda’s name as well as an affectionate name for the Grandmaster in Dai Bendu. Sure enough, when he looked up at the main screen, Yoda’s image was being projected many times larger than life. The giant green master was grinning broadly, arms raised as he perched on the shoulders of one bright-eyed Knight Kenobi, also projected larger than life. In the crowd around him, Qui-Gon could make out several other young knights, including Quinlan Vos, that blonde knight who thought he was a jerk, and Cin Drallig. Clearly Cin must have gotten tired carrying his former master around.
“Found him,” Qui-Gon managed when he finally found his voice. “Obi-Wan is carrying Yoda and they’re on the big screen.”
Tahl let out a distinct giggle. “Good for them.”
“They look very enthusiastic,” Qui-Gon observed as Obi-Wan executed a turn, Yoda perfectly balanced on his shoulders.
--
(Obi-Wan is at least 26 when he becomes Yoda's lover: Vygor: “You’re only twenty-six, Obi-Wan. You’ve only been in a position to really explore your sexuality for a year, and you’re also a busy new knight. People change over time. You certainly have changed a lot just in the short time I’ve known you.”
More Vygr: “The Force is mysterious, but I disagree about this dream self being so very different from who you are now. Clearly casual sex has no appeal for you, or you probably would have made efforts to try it by now. A deeper relationship wherein sex is just one part would be a probable alternative, particularly if this future you is seeking companionship. You said the touch was not particularly arousing, but not unwelcome. It sounds as if your partner probably has a higher sex drive than you do, but that doesn’t make future you uncomfortable. You also have a history of, for lack of a better term, sexual betrayal. The person who you should have had guiding you through your budding sexuality, in whatever form it ultimately takes, was neglectful and restrictive. Based on that history, your personality, and your development over the past year, it is very likely that should you choose a partner, you would have to trust them a great deal, which apparently your dream self does. From an outside perspective, this dream self does sound like someone you could potentially grow into. Would sixteen-year-old you imagine you are you are now?”S)
companionshp vs. attachment
"go to Arkel IV beause they are
From ATLL proper:
“Hold still you will,” Yoda directed. “Let me move arm you will.”
“Okay,” Obi-Wan sounded a bit uncertain. Qui-Gon had helped him loosen muscles when he was a padawan, but when Obi-Wan’s grasp of the Living Force continued to grow at a snail’s pace, he began to focus on more practical tactics like stretching routines. He could feel the tiny master lower the zipper down his back and push his hand further in, probing at more knots and angry tendons. Obi-Wan had been honest, the wound had definitely been iced, and the bruises were mostly gone, but the incident had left him tense all over and with the recent injury the whole area had been primed to cramp up if provoked.
“Move your arm I will. Intense will be. Brace not. Relax if can.”
Obi-Wan released the slightest bit of worry. He knew Master Yoda wouldn’t injure him, but it was hard not to feel on edge with a warning like that.
Yoda shifted his hand under the suit and put his other hand on Obi-Wan’s outstretched arm. Suddenly the Force entered his arm in what he could only describe as a benevolent takeover, and the limb was stretched and pulled across its range of motion to a degree he would be hard-pressed to accomplish voluntarily. He gasped explosively, the knots where Yoda had probed pulsed with heat and energy and after what seemed like much longer than it must have been, his arm returned to the original outstretched position. It had only been a few seconds, but his arm and shoulder felt like it had undergone an hour of therapeutic massage, maybe more.
...
Obi-Wan recognized Yoda’s hopeful tone from when he was trying to cajole him into picking up one more Breggle stone. Whatever Yoda wanted him to do, he knew he would do his best not to disappoint.
---
From ATLL:
Archives works with the Art Department
---
From ATLL:
“Manuscript Illumination was definitely lacking in dating options. I was only sixteen of course, but half of the class was either trying to fulfill their Monastic Studies requirement just ahead of their trials, taking it while they or their masters were convalescing, or were too socially awkward to go on the ‘away’ classes. And the other half were retired knights or on rest period and looking for a hobby and were making bets as to when our instructor would retire and join the monastery.”
“Fifty credits on 3 years from now I have.”
“Four years, ten credits,” Si offered.
Bes blushed. “Two and a half years, fifteen credits.”
“The rest home gets a bit dull,” Si was a touch defensive. He looked at Obi-Wan. “What do you think?”
“About Master Turvis becoming a brother? It would be rude for a student to speculate.” Yoda raised a brow, staring him down. “Didn’t bet, but less than six years, definitely.”
The elders laughed. Yoda patted his knee.
“Attuned to Force you are. Overshare Force does sometimes, yes?”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed.
“Hee, yes, Turvis and Ospen platonic love affair can carry on better if join monastery he does. Happy they would be.”
---
“Did you use the Force to make them feel better?” Bail asked.
“Oh, hell no,” Bes sat up straighter. “I’m not stupid. I wasn’t going to deplete myself to make my enemy feel strong enough to attack again. I used the Force to make their body direct more of their healing energy to the wound. They would heal better and probably hurt less, but it would sap their strength so they would be less likely to try anything dangerous.”
Kressa and Quinlan shared a look.
“Damn, Master Bes. That is a sneaky trick.”
Bes grinned at the compliment. “I confess, I learned that one from Master Yoda.”
---
Quinlan shrugged and took a handful. “Thanks.” Insects were not terribly uncommon in Kiffar cuisine. “You said Master Yoda was your great-grandmaster?”
Obi-Wan swallowed his sandwich. “Yes, I am honored to be able to trace back to Master Yoda in my training lineage. Though he’s technically the only member of my lineage I’m actually on speaking terms with.”
“Oh?”
Obi-Wan shrugged, accepting it as fact rather than tragedy. “I’ve never met Feemor, my master’s first padawan. I helped Qui-Gon track down Xanatos, his second padawan, until his death. Master Jinn and I are not currently on speaking terms, and Master Dooku has left the order. His master was Master Yoda, and if I want to trace back any further, I’ll have to read historical poems and sagas.”
---
Yoda shrugged. “Protective Little Bail is. Big Bail too. Ask him not for favors. Only want to know him do. Work with many Jedi Organas do. Fondness, friendship, but attachment not. Know he does that if Jedi must leave, refuge of family still has. Gives more calm, more balance, not less. Unusual, but unique not. Also helps that title, status he has not. No temptation, just good ally.” He made a scoffing sound. “Master Dooku left Order did, took hereditary title did. Claims Jedi wrong are, suit him not, but title, power tempted him long time have. Prince Obi-Wan is not, even if legitimate was. Pull him away from duty friendship does not. Open new paths does. But cautious always. Understand that Organas do, many would not.”
---
That’s Yan Dooku. He was Qui-Gon Jinn’s master. Wasn’t capable of having fun. Good Breggle player though.”
“The one who left the Order?”
“Yes, he had a hereditary title on Serrano. Very intelligent. Very academic. Very controlled. Excellent duelist.”
“Huh, sounds like Obi-Wan.”
“Oh, Force. Not at all,” Bes scoffed.
Quin gave Bes a questioning look.
“Your friend seems like a rule follower and is very proper and a little uptight. Yan is very . . . proud. Rigid. Supercilious.” Bes shook his head. “I remember Yan complaining when Master Jinn first took your friend on as a padawan. He didn’t think anything was wrong with Obi-Wan specifically, but that Jinn should have been using his time to train a more powerful student. He didn’t think Obi-Wan was good enough for him and made sure to make his opinion clear.” Bes looked sad. “He wasn’t supportive.”
---
Yoda pointed his gimer stick at Obi-Wan. “Made me fat he did.”
“I did?” Obi-Wan seemed stunned.
“Yes. Fat. Gained weight when live with you I did. Both times. When young you were, make tea always you did. Fetch dinner for me you did. Keep pantry stocked you did. Homesick you were. Missed master you did. Growing boy you were, but very stressed. Try to get you to eat I did. Almost chubby I got.”
Si laughed quietly. Obi-Wan looked apologetic.
“Hmm, when young man you were, even worse. Cook you did. Come home I would, dinner made would be. Wake up in morning, make breakfast you would when still trying to wake up I was. Heh, servant I needed not, but make sure fed I was you did.” Yoda leaned back on the couch and patted Obi-Wan’s knee. “Good boy you were. Wanted to take care of me you did. Now good knight you are. Worth it, it was, even if love handles I get.”
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to apologize.
“Oh, please, Master. You don’t have love handles,” Si scoffed.
“Fatter I am.” He pointed at Obi-Wan with his thumb. “All his fault.”
Si leaned over to pick up his tea, staring Yoda down. “I’ve seen you naked. No, you don’t.”
Bes coughed on his tea, slightly scandalized.
“What did Healer Les say about this supposed weight gain?” Si asked.
Yoda sighed. “Healthy weight was. Too thin I was getting.”
Si sighed deeply, a long-suffering look on his face. “Love handles.” He looked at Obi-Wan. “You made him eat and sleep at regular times and forced him to delegate work. He ended up a healthier weight, with better skin and you replaced all the robes he had since Cin was his padawan. You did a good job.” He turned to Bail and Rouge. “You’ve probably seen Cin on the holonews; he is the current Battlemaster.”
ail chuckled. He was pretty sure who Master Si was referring to, and that man was not young.
Yoda patted Obi-Wan’s hand. “Perfect padawan you were. Fed me well, cleaned home. Knighted in three months.”
“I just wanted to not make my problems into your problems, Master.” Obi-Wan was very quiet.
“Problem you never were.” Yoda looked over at Quinlan and Kressa. “Needs to get out more he still does.”
“Master!” Obi-Wan protested.
“Give up, young man,” Si advised. “I’m more than one hundred years old and he still interferes with my social life or lack thereof.”
Bail and Rouge looked stunned. Bes slumped a little in his seat.
---
“Are there any clips of you dancing as opposed to sparring?” Quin asked.
Si shrugged. “Hell if I know. I doubt if any from the camps would be archived anywhere. You have to remember, I wasn’t actually cast in anything, but it’s possible there might be old audition clips for other dancers that I might appear in. Also, the Modern Dance Club here in the Temple used to do a semi-annual recital. I sometimes used to dance with them, but you’d have to dig through the Archives for it.”
“Definitely in Archives they are,” Yoda agreed.
---
“I don’t see it,” Bant grimaced, the Mon Calamari equivalent of a frown.
“Bant can never see the resemblance. Mon Calamari pick up on different features than humans do,” Obi-Wan explained, smiling. “I once tried to do a portrait of her, and she told me it sort of looked like Master Guar.”
“Nautolans are even worse,” Si scoffed. “Master Xeno once commissioned a portrait. Never again.” He shook his head as he sipped his tea. “Archives thought it was very accurate, but every time another Nautolan saw it, they burst out laughing. I finally just told Archives to get a native artist, I was not fixing it again.”
Bant was giggling, well aware of the neural discrepancy, but unable to really describe where they were going wrong.
---
Nori was a top aerialist and probably is still excellent, though aerials are a young Jedi’s game. Gi-Ho is one of the best kata masters. Knows them all, backwards, forwards, all variations. Windu is a master of Vapad, of course he invented it. Dooku is a master of Makashi. Rettel of Shien. Kurvis of Djem So. Poku of Niman. Brettel of Soresu. But they are all getting older. I don’t know who the up and comers are.”
“But if you had to pick just one, who is the best of the best?” Rouge pressed.
“Hmm,” Si pretended to think it over. “I’d have to say that if push came to shove, I’d never want to find myself at odds with the Green Dragon.” He leaned over and made a show of cautiously peeking at the art print on the friend wall. “He is gracious on the mats, but a demon in the field.”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan agreed. “Master Yoda is very polite when he pounds your face into the practice mats.”
Yoda patted his knee amid the giggles. “Hope you still have mud mask left I do. Pound your face I will later.”
“I know, Master.”
“Wait until better you are I will. Make sure ready to return to field I will.”
“I look forward to witnessing your superior skill, Master.”
Si and Bes chuckled knowingly.
---
Bes pondered this. For a human, Si was very active for his age and certainly didn’t look 105 when he cleaned himself up. And yes, 105 was on the far end of life expectancy for most humans, but not terribly exceptional for retired Jedi who managed not to die in the field. Hell, Denna was 117, and 120 was not uncommon, though most Jedi of that age and older lived on the floor below, with more attentive care by geriatric and palliative healers, rather than clergy.
--
Master Yoda was perched on the Crystal Master’s shoulder (he liked to spread the ‘riding duties’ around, it let him socialize more easily and he was aware he was surprisingly heavy for his size).
--
Not for the first time, Cin wondered how fast the entire Jedi Order would grind to a halt if Eller caught a cold.
--
Obi-Wan’s eyes were riveted to the screen now, and he was breathing hard. “He followed that tattooed abomination into a Sith-damned deathtrap and let him separate us because he was so damn arrogant he thought he was winning! That fucking asshole!”
--
“Someone he respects . . . Master Drallig?”
“The Battlemaster?” Vygor considered it. “He doesn’t talk about him much, but he does respect him very much.”
Yoda sighed. “Barking up wrong tree that would be. Prefer women Cin does.”
-fin-
