(no subject)

[beardstrokes]

Who: Itty Bitty Obi-Wan + You
Broadcast: Y
Action: SS Huntress
When: Now

[ Video ]

[ The feed shakes for a few minutes before it centers on a young thirteen year old boy. He has the trademark padawan braid and robes as he sits on his knees in front of the camera. His expression is quiet and muted, though it seems like he hasn't had much sleep. His eyes are red-rimmed and tired. ]

Hello. If you could tell me if this ship is heading to Coruscant, I would be grateful. If not, I'd be happy to earn my way there through any duties you deem necessary.

[ He hesitates, pausing for far too long, biting on his lip. ] And if you -- you have seen Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

Thank you.

[ Action ]

[ Obi-Wan weaves himself through the ship, his shoulders hunched and his saber in a tight white-knuckled grip. Surely Qui-Gon wouldn't have left him here . . . not after coming back. Not after their discussion.

Then again, what rights did Obi-Wan even possess?

He tugs the hood over his face and keeps a wary eye on everyone who came close. This was a strange vessel and their responses got even more confusing. Best to keep to himself until he got to Coruscant. ]

Comments

[beardstrokes]

She . . . someone died. I was there. If I had been a better Jedi, maybe it wouldn't have happened.

[nerdeology]

I'm sorry to hear that... you shouldn't blame yourself, though. Surely you did all you could.

[By what he knows of Obi-Wan, that's pretty likely.]

[beardstrokes]

I don't know. It doesn't feel like I did. I was right there. I . . . I had her in my arms. And she died anyway.

[nerdeology]

May I ask what happened?

[beardstrokes]

We were fighting a civil war. I had managed to end it but the aftermath took time. Cerasi and I were trying to stop another outbreak from happening and someone shot her from afar.

Then I watched her die.

[nerdeology]

...I see... my condolences. But how would you have prevented that? Surely the senses of a Jedi can only predict so much.

[beardstrokes]

Jedi have instincts for the turning of the event. I'm sure Master Qui-Gon would have saved her.

I could have. I was there.

[nerdeology]

Sometimes, there are people you can't save. Part of being mortal, I believe, is learning to accept that as fact.

[He pauses, then shakes his head.]

No, that's inaccurate. It's just part of being alive, regardless of what you are.

[beardstrokes]

I don't understand. How is it a part of being alive?

[nerdeology]

No matter where you are, or what you are, it's difficult to go through life without forming connections with other living beings. To do otherwise would be too lonely for most people to stand.

Forming those connections means it's likely that some of them will die before you do. It could be old age, or some untimely event. But I'd wager there isn't a soul in the universe that hasn't felt death touch their life in some way.

Those that live have to also accept death. That's all it means.

[beardstrokes]

The Jedi have a saying . . . there is no death, there is only the Force. The idea is that . . . nobody is truly gone.

It feels like cold comfort now.

[nerdeology]

...I... can understand that. My kind are immortal in that we don't die of old age, but can still be killed. When one of us dies, it's said that they return to the world, and their mana is used to create new life, so they aren't truly gone.

But it's something of an empty sentiment when someone you care about is gone forever.

[beardstrokes]

[ He wipes his face on his sleeve. ]

She was a little younger than me. We all were.

[nerdeology]

It happens that way, sometimes. I'm very sorry.

[He's not really sure what else to say. Sorey would be so much better at this.]

[beardstrokes]

[ He shakes his head. He knows who is to blame. And it wasn't Obi-Wan. Still . . . still. ]

Thanks anyway.

[nerdeology]

[Well, he's officially useless.]

Can I at least give you a tour of the ship, if you like? Or guide you to your room, if you need time.

[beardstrokes]

I have a room?

[ He nods hesitantly. ] If you don't mind?

[nerdeology]

It's not a problem at all. Can you see me enough to follow me, or do I need to hold something?

[He knows it had been shaky the first time he'd met the older Obi-Wan, so he doesn't want to get the poor guy lost on his "first" day.]

[beardstrokes]

[ Obi-Wan nods. ]

I can manage it. It must be harder for you.

[nerdeology]

[Welp, starting down the hall then.]

Not especially- I'm used to it. Sometimes it's inconvenient, but it's much easier here than it was on my own world.

[beardstrokes]

Can't they see you on your own world?

[ That would make the most sense. ]

[nerdeology]

No, most can't. It's a rare thing to meet a human who can see or hear my kind where I'm from.

[beardstrokes]

[ He nods. He doesn't mention his sympathies because Obi-Wan is aware of how life takes shape in different ways in the galaxy. ]

Does your planet have a name?

[nerdeology]

If it does, I'm not aware of it. Travel among the stars is unheard of, and travel between the continents is expensive and time-consuming, I've heard. When you believe there's only one of something, there doesn't seem to be much point in coming up with a name for it.

[People are one thing, but the planet itself? This is all new to him.]

Glenwood is the continent I grew up on, that's the only name I'd recognize.

[beardstrokes]

[ He nods. ]

There are planets like that, on the outer Rim. Planets that don't have contact with other planets and ships.

Being in a place like this must be scary.