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Many things went down on the Jedi training mats. Bets, competitions, rivalries and challenges are one of the reasons many Jedi come to train with their lightsabers and practice in the salles with their friends and colleagues. Some were there because they relished the exercise or just liked to perfect their technics. But there were also rare instances when Jedi flirted with another Jedi through lightsaber duels. My Padawan was one of those rare examples even if he seemed not to be conscious of it. We went down to the training salles for our usual noon practices, when we encountered Dooku and his new Padawan already there practicing their routine. I wanted just to ignore them and go about our business, but my Padawan immediately latched onto the lasting duel and watched with rapid attention.
He practically ate him up with his eyes and I would not be surprised if he suddenly started drooling, even if it was unbecoming of a senior Padawan. I haven’t known why, but ever since he met Dooku’s new Padawan on these mats, Obi-Wan became obsessed with the Kaleesh, even more than he was obsessed with Ventress and that was saying something. Maybe he saw a worthy rival, a possible friend or something more (Please Force let it not be ‘that’. I am not ready to let my Padawan go just yet). Nevertheless, whatever the reason for it, it still wasn’t a good excuse for missing training. “Obi-Wan, we should start,” I tried to get his attention and I partially succeeded. He followed me to the mats, but still kept most of his attention on the duel between the Kaleesh Padawan and another Jedi. What was his name again? Quirrel? Qualan? Quiran?
“Qymaen! Focus on your opponent!” Dooku shouted out and unknowingly answered my dilemma. Returning my attention to the problem at hand, I started to instruct Obi-Wan in the Ataru form and when he made a mistake, correct it with a word or a presentation if one was needed. However, my training did not last long because as soon as the duel finished the Kaleesh shouted out for Obi-Wan to fight with him. “Obi-Wan Kenobi! Fight with me and let’s see who a better duelist is!”
Obi-Wan of course pleaded with his eyes for me to let him go and in the absence of a better option I gave him my blessing. He threw me a big smile and ran over to join the duel. I sighed in exasperation and slowly walked closer to see how Obi-Wan would do against this bigger opponent. Dooku was watching all of this with a blank face and still didn’t say anything about his own training being interrupted by us. “Hello Master,” I greeted him politely and Dooku turned around and threw me his best disappointed look. “Hello, Knight Qui-Gon. Why is your Padawan dueling my Padawan?”
“Because your Padawan asked for it,” I answered and if it sounded like an accusation, in my opinion it was worth it for the look on Dooku’s face. I looked up at the Padawans and followed their fight with a critical glance. Both were very good. Even if Qymaen was taller and had a wider reach than Obi-Wan, it still did nothing to disrupt my Padawan’s flow and affect his Ataru or his Djem Sho. “Why am I letting this farce continue?” Dooku asked no one in particular and even if I knew he didn’t want an answer I still gave him one: “Because it makes our Padawan’s happy.”
It seemed like Dooku didn’t have anything to say to that, so we watched the duel in blessed silence, while our Padawan’s strained, flipped and paired the other opponent. “It does not make me happy to watch this impromptu flirting session, while they act as oblivious as children playing hooky,” the older Master grumbled in reply, and I had to fight with myself not to laugh at his long-suffering remark toward our unaware Padawans. “Master Dooku, just watch the duel and make notes. They are still fighting even if it is not with the same intention, we wanted them to fight for,” I whispered and Dooku huffed but still complied and turned his attention over to them.
The fight was flashier than it is usually expected, and I could see both Obi-Wan and Qymaen were too much into showing off their skills, which made this an unnecessarily long and dragged-out duel. It was also not really realistic, because as soon as one stumbled the other waited for him to recover and then the cycle repeated again in almost the same manner. I could feel Dooku’s patience slipping up and it made it easier for me to watch all of this. I looked over at him and as our eyes met, I could feel our shared suffering toward this whole situation we ended up in. In the end even our shared camaraderie couldn’t satisfy Dooku, so he shouted out a warning to end the duel immediately. Qymaen and Obi-Wan stopped at the same time, both radiating confusion and disappointment in waves.
“I think you have proven what you wanted and showed off enough to Qui-Gon’s Padawan, so it is time for us to retire,” Dooku clearly stated and turned around not even waiting for his Padawan to answer. Expecting to be obeyed he strolled through the training arena and didn’t slow his stride even when some colleagues stopped to greet him. Qymaen looked over at Obi-Wan and gave him a slight nod, before dashing over to follow after his Master. Obi-Wan looked like a kicked tooka and waved after Qymaen’s retreat like he wanted to apologize for their interrupted duel. I stood beside him and patted him on the shoulder trying to both comfort him and show support. He gave me a weak smile in response and returned his lightsaber back to its hanging place.
“You know….. you could ask him out, instead of only dueling him for prestige,” I said and watched his cheeks color in the bright shade of red. “It’s not like that!” He petulantly answered and it reminded me of easier times when I didn’t have to worry about my Padawan’s love life or the absence of any. I patiently waited him out, while he was battling inside himself trying to decide if he should tell me or not. Then with his decision made, Obi-Wan sighed and whispered a question: “Do you think he will accept it?”
I smiled at him brightly, trying to hide my rising amusement at his lovesick uncertainty and answered honestly: “Yes, I think he will. Even if he doesn’t, at least you know you tried.” Obi-Wan quietly considered my words and nodded in answer, giving me an assurance that he will do as I asked. I patted him on the head in relief and approval and decided that we were dallying here enough. “I would have asked you to continue your training, but I don’t think it will be much effective. So what do you say to a quiet night out with the two of us? My treat of course.” Obi-Wan enthusiastically agreed and I patted him on the head again, before going in the direction of our fun night out.