#obi-wan insert

Ah, another WIP Wednesday ask! Thank you.

Honestly I should rename it Weekday WIP at this point alfjksjd. Also this ended up being WAY longer than originally anticipated, my bad lmao

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“You fought well, but you hold much anger within you.”

Obi-wan Kenobi pulls up short, blinking rapidly as they stare at the absolute goliath of a man that looks over them. There’s something about the guy’s presence that almost feels threatening, in a way. The emotions that emanate from him, what little can be sensed past the impressively fortified shields that befit any master, are tinged with something that tastes like judgement and final resolution.

As if this man had taken one look at Obi-wan before they had even stepped out into the tournament ring and had already decided his opinion of them.

Which is exactly what Quigon Jinn had done. In fact, even before setting eyes on Obi-wan, they know that Jinn had already made up his mind. Coming to the tournament to watch them fight had the sole motivation of finding some excuse to reject them as quickly as possible.

Which is fine. Jinn doesn’t want a padawan and Obi-wan knew that from the beginning. In fact, they find the meddling of the council — or perhaps one person on the council — quite insane and manipulative. They had no right to force Jinn to basically adopt another child when he didn’t want one.

And trying to force a child upon someone who doesn’t want one never ends well, so isn’t that sort of like putting Obi-wan themself in danger?

So, in this one thing, Obi-wan is on Jinn’s side.

But nowhere else.

Obi-Wan wants to scowl. They already have the answer to this. They have their entire life here. Quigon Jinn is a nonentity.

Except, here he is. Here to bring the mood of the room plummeting down.

Instead of scowling, though, they keep their face passive. There’s little need to give Jinn even more ammunition. Even if the fact that this grown ass adult man has decided to scorn a child for something out of either of their control absolutely burns.

“Everyone holds anger within them, Master Jinn.” They reply politely, sketching a bow that they already know doesn’t have a single fault. The very perfection of it makes Jinn’s frown even more severe. “It’s the consequence of sentience, to have emotions about the universe around you.”

It makes Obi-wan want to needle the man even more.

“Allowing those emotions to control you is a very different matter than simply having them, Initiate Kenobi.”

Wow, the emphasis on that word, as if this grown ass man is trying to make a clear point. Well, point very much made!

The gall.

Obi-wan takes a slow, steadying breath, passive mask barely flinching. Inside, though —

Maybe Jinn is right. They are filled with rage. Curious, however, that the only time they’ve ever felt like this is when confronted with Jinn himself.

Really makes one think.

Theyre lost in thought, they realize, and flit their eyes upward again just in time to catch Jinn shaking his head firmly.

“I will not take you as my padawan.”

Obi-wan simply blinks.

Feeling uncharitable, they reply, “Master Jinn? Were you looking for one? It’s only; last that I heard, you were against the notion.”

That gets him. The man straightens up, blinking in a somewhat startled fashion before his expression goes purposefully blank.

Obi-wan does not allow any victory to show on their face.

“I’m sorry if you were disappointed in my tournament exhibition. Now that the topic is brought up, though, I must say that I have to agree with you. As a practitioner of the Living Force, you’re absolutely correct to pass over me as a student. Our paths in the Force are far too different to work well together.” Obi-wan shrugs lightly, glancing across the room to watch impassive masters and knights pass by on the catwalk below the viewing room that they’re in.

He turns back to find Jinn staring at him with an unreadable expression.

“It’s unwise to claim that you have little to learn from me. Arrogant, even.”

It’s not like he even wants to be their teacher anyway! Why is he so offended at the hint that Obi-wan might reject him?

Fucking adults and their superiority complexes. Fucking men and their egos.

Also! Putting words into their mouth! That’s one of their fucking pet peeves.

Obi-wan smiles politely, as serene as can be.

Maybe going Sith isn’t such a bad idea…

No. If they did that then maybe the council would send Jinn after them. The consequences were not worth the freedom of being able to do whatever the hell they wanted (and look hot while doing it. Fuck you Palpatine, you did it all wrong).

They let their smile drop. Jinn is a grown man, and he’s right here purposefully antagonizing a child.

They are a child. Just a little twelve year old.

Obi-wan blinks rapidly and breathes in through their nose a little too sharply. They turn slightly to look away, but watch from the corner of their eye as a grimace takes over Jinn’s face.

Eat the consequences of your actions, you sorry excuse of an adult.

“Now, I know that you are close to aging out…” the man begins, likely about to say something along the lines of ‘maybe another master will chose you in the next few weeks’ in an attempt to placate them and stop the floodgates, but Obi-Wan interrupts before he can.

“It’s okay, Master Jinn.” They say, gently. They give the pathetic man standing before them a small, somewhat watery smile. “You don’t have to try and make me feel better. I have to experience feelings for myself or I’ll never be able to understand them and let them go properly. I…”

They swallow, blinking a lot — maybe more than they really need to, their eyes are feeling quite dry despite the tearful quality they’ve achieved — and take a small step back.

“My crechemate, Bruck — my opponent for the exhibition, in fact — taught me that. I’m grateful that he did, because it ensured I knew not to hope for the impossible.”

There’s an uncomfortable expression on Jinn’s face. Obi-wan’s smile widens just barely, and they hope the sharpness of it is still on the inside.

They sketch a light bow, one much stiffer than the one they’d given in greeting initially. Show discomfort, hesitance.

“I have some bags to pack, so I’m afraid I’ll be leaving you first, Master Jinn.” They say. “Please do have a wonderful evening.”

They turn on their heel and book it out of there. Ideally, it looks like they’re barely holding back tears and don’t want the esteemed master to see them vulnerable, but mostly they just need to get out of that goddamn room.

Here’s to hoping that they never have to be in the same space as Jinn ever again.