oh dear. Tiny Toddler Obi Wan is like a cat, getting into the strangest places without being seen. Might he find his way down to the under parts of the ancient Temple, maybe finding dust, strange bolt holes, artifacts? And little innocent charms the Sith ghost, by being nice to her? Chortle! And she doesn’t want him to leave…

Dolan shifted slowly, his frown deep as he counted the Initiates
again before slowly reaching for his comms.

Obi-Wan was missing again.

Not unusual but he was missing right about after lunch, that meant he
had been gone for four hours now and Dolan was starting to feel a
faint sense of dread in the bottom of his stomach as he called up the
guards to see if they could find Obi-Wan anywhere and to put out a
message on the common board for all the Jedi to please return Obi-Wan
if they had found the Initiate somewhere.

Honestly it had become standard practice by now when Obi-Wan did
indeed go missing to put out a general message to the Jedi’s to
return him and to make the guards look around in case he was in a
room alone or out on the stairs again…

But Dolan had a bad feeling.

No scratch that, he had a dreadful feeling in the bottom of his
stomach and he hoped to Force that it was just his nerves speaking
for him and not an actual bad thing happening.

‘We should have just put a tracking chip on him like Knight Windu
suggested, would have been safer for sure.’ He ran his hand over
his hair before turning to apprentice Yanda.

He looked at Dolan in return and sighed in realization before
smiling. “I’m sure Obi-Wan will return soon, you know he always
comes back eventually, sometimes feed and given juice boxes and all.”

Snorting dourly, Dolan crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d
rather he didn’t go missing at all.” He went sullenly mute for a
few moments. Yanda’s brows drew together, the nautolan apprentice
feeling the draw of worry in the Force.

“Master?” He questioned.

“…I have a bad feeling this time.” Dolan sighed.

()()()

Tucking his cold hands into his chest, Obi-Wan blearily peeked around
the dark hallway with a tired gaze.

He was really thirsty and he was not feeling good but he had no idea
how to get out of the big dusty hall at all and he couldn’t seem to
figure out how to find the elevator that had taken him down in the
first time again.

How long had he been down here?

He hoped Master Dooku or Knight Mace would come find him…

Or that nice padawan he meet.

Or Master Dolan or some of the guards…

Anyone really.

He was getting really cold.

Shuffling closer to the pillar he was sitting against, Obi-Wan gave a
quiet sniffle. ‘I’m thirsty…’

He was also so tired but at least he wasn’t hungry.

Wait was that a good thing?

He should be hungry but he was too tired to think about that as he
curled more against the pillar.

He wondered what Bant, Reeft and Garen were doing right now.

Perhaps it was fruit snack time?

He liked the honey melon and Bant would always give her his portion
of honey melon when they had it.

A fresh shiver wracked through Obi-Wan’s body and he sniffed a bit
more and tucked his face into his knees with a tiny sob.

Being back in the creche was the only thing he wanted to be.

oh dear. Tiny Toddler Obi Wan is like a cat, getting into the strangest places without being seen. Might he find his way down to the under parts of the ancient Temple, maybe finding dust, strange bolt holes, artifacts? And little innocent charms the Sith ghost, by being nice to her? Chortle! And she doesn’t want him to leave…

Dolan shifted slowly, his frown deep as he counted the Initiates
again before slowly reaching for his comms.

Obi-Wan was missing again.

Not unusual but he was missing right about after lunch, that meant he
had been gone for four hours now and Dolan was starting to feel a
faint sense of dread in the bottom of his stomach as he called up the
guards to see if they could find Obi-Wan anywhere and to put out a
message on the common board for all the Jedi to please return Obi-Wan
if they had found the Initiate somewhere.

Honestly it had become standard practice by now when Obi-Wan did
indeed go missing to put out a general message to the Jedi’s to
return him and to make the guards look around in case he was in a
room alone or out on the stairs again…

But Dolan had a bad feeling.

No scratch that, he had a dreadful feeling in the bottom of his
stomach and he hoped to Force that it was just his nerves speaking
for him and not an actual bad thing happening.

‘We should have just put a tracking chip on him like Knight Windu
suggested, would have been safer for sure.’ He ran his hand over
his hair before turning to apprentice Yanda.

He looked at Dolan in return and sighed in realization before
smiling. “I’m sure Obi-Wan will return soon, you know he always
comes back eventually, sometimes feed and given juice boxes and all.”

Snorting dourly, Dolan crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d
rather he didn’t go missing at all.” He went sullenly mute for a
few moments. Yanda’s brows drew together, the nautolan apprentice
feeling the draw of worry in the Force.

“Master?” He questioned.

“…I have a bad feeling this time.” Dolan sighed.

()()()

Tucking his cold hands into his chest, Obi-Wan blearily peeked around
the dark hallway with a tired gaze.

He was really thirsty and he was not feeling good but he had no idea
how to get out of the big dusty hall at all and he couldn’t seem to
figure out how to find the elevator that had taken him down in the
first time again.

How long had he been down here?

He hoped Master Dooku or Knight Mace would come find him…

Or that nice padawan he meet.

Or Master Dolan or some of the guards…

Anyone really.

He was getting really cold.

Shuffling closer to the pillar he was sitting against, Obi-Wan gave a
quiet sniffle. ‘I’m thirsty…’

He was also so tired but at least he wasn’t hungry.

Wait was that a good thing?

He should be hungry but he was too tired to think about that as he
curled more against the pillar.

He wondered what Bant, Reeft and Garen were doing right now.

Perhaps it was fruit snack time?

He liked the honey melon and Bant would always give her his portion
of honey melon when they had it.

A fresh shiver wracked through Obi-Wan’s body and he sniffed a bit
more and tucked his face into his knees with a tiny sob.

Being back in the creche was the only thing he wanted to be.

Mmmmm, sandtrap, I so want to try Shmi’s baking! In lieu of, may we have a peek at Obi and Anakin’s date night? Does Anakin recognize the name? Does Anakin know the mechanic, Savage, from the next city over? Who has maybe been pumping Anakin for information on the very cool guy Anakin really likes?? (evil, evil, evil, plot, plot, plot)

Rolling Obi-Wan up the ramp and inside, Anakin glanced around the restaurant
curiously before grinning at the various smells he could smell coming
from the kitchen every time the doors opened up when the waiters or
waitresses slipped in and out. “This looks like a very nice place.”
He said happily.

Laughing, Obi-Wan tilted his head enough to look over his shoulder at
him. “It is, my friend Reeft Yula owns the place so I go here
because I know he always has a table for me that’s easily
accessible.” He smiled a bit more wryly at that.

Smiling in return, Anakin and Obi-Wan waited for someone to come show
them to said table, the twi’lek instantly recognizing Obi-Wan
though leveling Anakin a curiously intrigued look as she got them
settled, got their drink orders and left the menus for them to
browse.

“You can order whatever you like. Reeft never makes me pay so its
basically all on me here.” Obi-Wan chuckled faintly.

Grinning, Anakin gave a glance at the menu. “There’s some really
fancy things here I never even heard of.” He scratched his nape,
the bun keeping his hair tucked away.

Wiggling his hand, Obi-Wan hummed. “Reeft makes fancy food a staple
of the restaurant but the ingredients are all good. If I might make a
recommendation based on what you get at your mothers cafe though…?”
At Anakin’s nod he gave a wide smile and continued. “Then I
recommend the spicy rice with sausage and well mixed sea food.” He
grinned.

Anakin blinked before grinning. “So…jambalaya?” He laughed when
Obi-Wan gave a happy nod. “Now there’s something I like.” He
rubbed his hands together and smiled happily when his soda arrived.

He hadn’t wanted alcohol in case he was driving.

Obi-Wan meanwhile had an order of wine to go with his own meal,
tender chicken breast, garlic bread and a nice salad.

Once the waitress had their order they were left alone.

Quickly, so not to be left in an awkward silence, Anakin questioned
Obi-Wan about his day.

“I visited my old police district, talked to my old Captain though
he’s now a Major.” He grinned a bit, tucking his hair behind his
ear. “Had a pleasant chat though…” Obi-Wan took a deep breath.
“I have something to confess I fear.”

Shifting a bit at that and feeling a bad sensation curl up his spine,
Anakin nodded. “Okay…?”

Licking his lips, Obi-Wan sighed. “First of I hope you will listen
out but that said, I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me
after this date.”

‘That bad?’ Anakin blinked.

And with that the sordid affair of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Maul Opress
started.

“I don’t even know what made him focus on me, I was part of the
group that arrested him and his gang sure but I wasn’t the only
one.” Obi-Wan fiddled with his glass. “But he fixated on me,
became obsessed, when he got out… he started stalking me. I always
saw him somewhere I was, shopping, with friends, at work…” He
swallowed, settling the glass down.

Anakin could see where this was leading and reached out, catching
Obi-Wan’s hand on the table, squeezing it to gain his attention.

Obi-Wan meet his eyes and once he was sure he had his attention,
Anakin smiled encouragingly.

Smiling meekly in return at that and seemingly taking courage from
it, Obi-Wan sat up a bit in his chair. “In the end he broke into my
home and attacked both my adoptive father and me. He…he killed my
father and permanently injured me which is how I landed in this
chair.”

“…He’s in jail now right?” Anakin whispered, clinging to
Obi-Wan’s hand.

“Yes but he’s making a ruckus… he might be planning how to
escape or so is the fear of those who are aware of him which is why
I’ve been warned.” Obi-Wan licked his lips. “And why I’m
telling you because he could get out or he could escape depending on
what he has planned and I…” His shoulders slumped and while he
wouldn’t admit it out loud, Anakin felt a wave of pity at how sad
Obi-Wan looked.

Obi-Wan would not like that though and instead Anakin squeezed his
hand gently. “Thank you for telling me but I’m not going
anywhere, psychotic stalker or not.” He smiled for his benefit.

He stroked Obi-Wan’s hand when the other peered at him from beneath
his bangs for a few moments before relaxing, the redhead joining him
in the smile. “I… thank you. I didn’t want you to go into this
blind.”

Shrugging, Anakin laughed. “Talking about pasts, I used to be a
racer until I was in a crash. Now I just fix the racer Steela has and
sponsor her runs.” He grinned.

Beaming at that, Obi-Wan instantly started asking questions about
racing and Anakin’s past, only interrupted when the food arrived
though he kept asking about various things between bites.

It made Anakin feel… good, feel that Obi-Wan was interested in him.

It felt a lot better then that Savage mechanic Saw just hired who
kept asking odd questions at least.

Mmmmm, sandtrap, I so want to try Shmi’s baking! In lieu of, may we have a peek at Obi and Anakin’s date night? Does Anakin recognize the name? Does Anakin know the mechanic, Savage, from the next city over? Who has maybe been pumping Anakin for information on the very cool guy Anakin really likes?? (evil, evil, evil, plot, plot, plot)

Rolling Obi-Wan up the ramp and inside, Anakin glanced around the restaurant
curiously before grinning at the various smells he could smell coming
from the kitchen every time the doors opened up when the waiters or
waitresses slipped in and out. “This looks like a very nice place.”
He said happily.

Laughing, Obi-Wan tilted his head enough to look over his shoulder at
him. “It is, my friend Reeft Yula owns the place so I go here
because I know he always has a table for me that’s easily
accessible.” He smiled a bit more wryly at that.

Smiling in return, Anakin and Obi-Wan waited for someone to come show
them to said table, the twi’lek instantly recognizing Obi-Wan
though leveling Anakin a curiously intrigued look as she got them
settled, got their drink orders and left the menus for them to
browse.

“You can order whatever you like. Reeft never makes me pay so its
basically all on me here.” Obi-Wan chuckled faintly.

Grinning, Anakin gave a glance at the menu. “There’s some really
fancy things here I never even heard of.” He scratched his nape,
the bun keeping his hair tucked away.

Wiggling his hand, Obi-Wan hummed. “Reeft makes fancy food a staple
of the restaurant but the ingredients are all good. If I might make a
recommendation based on what you get at your mothers cafe though…?”
At Anakin’s nod he gave a wide smile and continued. “Then I
recommend the spicy rice with sausage and well mixed sea food.” He
grinned.

Anakin blinked before grinning. “So…jambalaya?” He laughed when
Obi-Wan gave a happy nod. “Now there’s something I like.” He
rubbed his hands together and smiled happily when his soda arrived.

He hadn’t wanted alcohol in case he was driving.

Obi-Wan meanwhile had an order of wine to go with his own meal,
tender chicken breast, garlic bread and a nice salad.

Once the waitress had their order they were left alone.

Quickly, so not to be left in an awkward silence, Anakin questioned
Obi-Wan about his day.

“I visited my old police district, talked to my old Captain though
he’s now a Major.” He grinned a bit, tucking his hair behind his
ear. “Had a pleasant chat though…” Obi-Wan took a deep breath.
“I have something to confess I fear.”

Shifting a bit at that and feeling a bad sensation curl up his spine,
Anakin nodded. “Okay…?”

Licking his lips, Obi-Wan sighed. “First of I hope you will listen
out but that said, I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me
after this date.”

‘That bad?’ Anakin blinked.

And with that the sordid affair of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Maul Opress
started.

“I don’t even know what made him focus on me, I was part of the
group that arrested him and his gang sure but I wasn’t the only
one.” Obi-Wan fiddled with his glass. “But he fixated on me,
became obsessed, when he got out… he started stalking me. I always
saw him somewhere I was, shopping, with friends, at work…” He
swallowed, settling the glass down.

Anakin could see where this was leading and reached out, catching
Obi-Wan’s hand on the table, squeezing it to gain his attention.

Obi-Wan meet his eyes and once he was sure he had his attention,
Anakin smiled encouragingly.

Smiling meekly in return at that and seemingly taking courage from
it, Obi-Wan sat up a bit in his chair. “In the end he broke into my
home and attacked both my adoptive father and me. He…he killed my
father and permanently injured me which is how I landed in this
chair.”

“…He’s in jail now right?” Anakin whispered, clinging to
Obi-Wan’s hand.

“Yes but he’s making a ruckus… he might be planning how to
escape or so is the fear of those who are aware of him which is why
I’ve been warned.” Obi-Wan licked his lips. “And why I’m
telling you because he could get out or he could escape depending on
what he has planned and I…” His shoulders slumped and while he
wouldn’t admit it out loud, Anakin felt a wave of pity at how sad
Obi-Wan looked.

Obi-Wan would not like that though and instead Anakin squeezed his
hand gently. “Thank you for telling me but I’m not going
anywhere, psychotic stalker or not.” He smiled for his benefit.

He stroked Obi-Wan’s hand when the other peered at him from beneath
his bangs for a few moments before relaxing, the redhead joining him
in the smile. “I… thank you. I didn’t want you to go into this
blind.”

Shrugging, Anakin laughed. “Talking about pasts, I used to be a
racer until I was in a crash. Now I just fix the racer Steela has and
sponsor her runs.” He grinned.

Beaming at that, Obi-Wan instantly started asking questions about
racing and Anakin’s past, only interrupted when the food arrived
though he kept asking about various things between bites.

It made Anakin feel… good, feel that Obi-Wan was interested in him.

It felt a lot better then that Savage mechanic Saw just hired who
kept asking odd questions at least.

heh heh heh, in ‘sweet tooth!’ I can imagine Palp’s frustration, maybe he decides to start feeding this kid, like he bloody well SHOULD BE if he’s keeping Anakin THAT long (hiss), and starts serving delicacies from the best chefs… and Anakin keeps commenting «good, but Obi Wan makes it better.» BWAHAHA, so very very frustrated… and wondering WTH is Obi Wan making??? (LOL)

Face turning from a stormy scowl to a look of shock, Anakin stared at
the couch for a long moment where he could see the tops of the all to
familiar monterals peeking over it. “…Ahsoka?” He whispered.

The togruta peeked over then smiled sheepishly. “He refused to let
me leave without feeding me.” She offered meekly, pointing at the
kitchen.

Turning his head slowly, Anakin caught sight of Obi-Wan in his older
tunic, arms pulled up to his elbows in his pink striped apron that
had been a gift from Master Vos ages ago.

“Well I couldn’t let her leave.” Obi-Wan murmured, kneading
dough in a bowl. “Without at least ensuring she was well feed when
she went and that she knew where to go. I mean what kind of man would
I be.” He shook his head, scowling into the bowl before muttering.
“Wait… did I add salt to this?” He questioned, glancing at the
counter.

Licking his lips, Anakin made his way to the couch to see the entire
coffee table overloaded with different trays of baked goods with a
pot hidden between them and a cup in Ahsoka’s hands with a plate in
her lap.

She shrugged a bit. “I don’t think I can eat all this Skyguy.”
She whispered, before glancing towards the kitchen, brows knitting
together worriedly. “But he was so adamant.”

Peering at her and then at the kitchen, Anakin nodded. “Eat what
you can, I’ll put some of your favorites in a storage box…and let
me handle master.” He moved towards the kitchen, catching Obi-Wan
in his arms and pulling him in tight, trapping the redhead.

“Anaki-”

“Shhh, she’s alright, now stop baking. You’re stress baking
again. Shhh…” Anakin tightened his grasp, feeling the struggle go
out of Obi-Wan.

“But…” Obi-Wan swallowed.

“You did what you could for her, I know you did but you can’t…”
Sighing, Anakin glanced back at Ahsoka who was watching them in
return. “…You can’t make her return and after what the council
did to her-” Here Obi-Wan flinched. “I understand that she
doesn’t want to return. I don’t have to like it but I
understand.”

Breathing out a bit, Obi-Wan nodded into his chest. “…I’m still
going to damn well feed her.”

“You have.” Anakin carefully undid the apron and pulled it up and
off the redhead. “Go take a shower, I’m going to speak to Ahsoka
and help her get some in a stasis box… she doesn’t want to stay
Obi-Wan.” He gently puffed the other towards the fresher.

Obi-Wan hesitated before nodding, heading to the fresher though he
stopped to give Ahsoka’s monterals a little rub before he continued
in his flour coated clothes.

The two watched him go before Ahsoka looked to Anakin.

“…Share some of those meat pies?” Anakin smiled bleakly,
joining the other on the couch.

()()()

About ready to rip his hair out in frustration, Sheev forced a
pleasant smile onto his face instead. “Indeed, well master Kenobi
must be quite the master baker for that to be true.”

Anakin shrugged, carefully prying the lid of the pie up to peek at
the filling. “I guess, its his hobby so he got good at it.
Filling’s a bit dry…” He noted and Sheev would happily strangle
Kenobi at this moment if he just could.

Just wrap his fingers around the mans throat, watch his eyes bulge as
his face turned and he gasped for air as Sheev slowly choked him to
death.

“Yeah… Obi-Wan’s a much better baker then whoever made this.”
Anakin repeated his previous assessment before taking a small bite.
“Guess its decent enough.”

heh heh heh, in ‘sweet tooth!’ I can imagine Palp’s frustration, maybe he decides to start feeding this kid, like he bloody well SHOULD BE if he’s keeping Anakin THAT long (hiss), and starts serving delicacies from the best chefs… and Anakin keeps commenting «good, but Obi Wan makes it better.» BWAHAHA, so very very frustrated… and wondering WTH is Obi Wan making??? (LOL)

Face turning from a stormy scowl to a look of shock, Anakin stared at
the couch for a long moment where he could see the tops of the all to
familiar monterals peeking over it. “…Ahsoka?” He whispered.

The togruta peeked over then smiled sheepishly. “He refused to let
me leave without feeding me.” She offered meekly, pointing at the
kitchen.

Turning his head slowly, Anakin caught sight of Obi-Wan in his older
tunic, arms pulled up to his elbows in his pink striped apron that
had been a gift from Master Vos ages ago.

“Well I couldn’t let her leave.” Obi-Wan murmured, kneading
dough in a bowl. “Without at least ensuring she was well feed when
she went and that she knew where to go. I mean what kind of man would
I be.” He shook his head, scowling into the bowl before muttering.
“Wait… did I add salt to this?” He questioned, glancing at the
counter.

Licking his lips, Anakin made his way to the couch to see the entire
coffee table overloaded with different trays of baked goods with a
pot hidden between them and a cup in Ahsoka’s hands with a plate in
her lap.

She shrugged a bit. “I don’t think I can eat all this Skyguy.”
She whispered, before glancing towards the kitchen, brows knitting
together worriedly. “But he was so adamant.”

Peering at her and then at the kitchen, Anakin nodded. “Eat what
you can, I’ll put some of your favorites in a storage box…and let
me handle master.” He moved towards the kitchen, catching Obi-Wan
in his arms and pulling him in tight, trapping the redhead.

“Anaki-”

“Shhh, she’s alright, now stop baking. You’re stress baking
again. Shhh…” Anakin tightened his grasp, feeling the struggle go
out of Obi-Wan.

“But…” Obi-Wan swallowed.

“You did what you could for her, I know you did but you can’t…”
Sighing, Anakin glanced back at Ahsoka who was watching them in
return. “…You can’t make her return and after what the council
did to her-” Here Obi-Wan flinched. “I understand that she
doesn’t want to return. I don’t have to like it but I
understand.”

Breathing out a bit, Obi-Wan nodded into his chest. “…I’m still
going to damn well feed her.”

“You have.” Anakin carefully undid the apron and pulled it up and
off the redhead. “Go take a shower, I’m going to speak to Ahsoka
and help her get some in a stasis box… she doesn’t want to stay
Obi-Wan.” He gently puffed the other towards the fresher.

Obi-Wan hesitated before nodding, heading to the fresher though he
stopped to give Ahsoka’s monterals a little rub before he continued
in his flour coated clothes.

The two watched him go before Ahsoka looked to Anakin.

“…Share some of those meat pies?” Anakin smiled bleakly,
joining the other on the couch.

()()()

About ready to rip his hair out in frustration, Sheev forced a
pleasant smile onto his face instead. “Indeed, well master Kenobi
must be quite the master baker for that to be true.”

Anakin shrugged, carefully prying the lid of the pie up to peek at
the filling. “I guess, its his hobby so he got good at it.
Filling’s a bit dry…” He noted and Sheev would happily strangle
Kenobi at this moment if he just could.

Just wrap his fingers around the mans throat, watch his eyes bulge as
his face turned and he gasped for air as Sheev slowly choked him to
death.

“Yeah… Obi-Wan’s a much better baker then whoever made this.”
Anakin repeated his previous assessment before taking a small bite.
“Guess its decent enough.”

YES! OBI WAN (iamben) FINDS BABY MAUL! Or, you know, toddler/tween? But before Palps? Or stealthy steal from Palps? A rescue? Please? Please with maple fudge icing?

Warily pulling his hood up, Maul glanced about the slum of Coruscant
with narrowed eyes.

He had a feeling someone was wa- “Hello.”

Pulling his viroblade from his belt, bypassing his saberstaff, Maul
snarled as he eyed the redhead smiling at him from the shadows of a
canopy above him.

‘Robe… short hair, signs of a recently cut braid. A fresh Jedi
knight.’ He tightened his grasp on his blade. Had he been disco-

The redhead waved his hand and the viroblade pulled itself from
Maul’s grip to float lazily away from them. “You won’t need
that, I’m not here to harm you. I’m here to give you choice Maul
Opress.” The knight stepped further into the light, Maul now able
to pick out the freckles of his skin and the greenness of his eyes as the viroblade was dropped to the ground.

“…How do you know my name?” Maul growled.

Flickering his fingers again, the Jedi pushed back Maul’s hood. “I
know a lot. I know that Sheev Palpatine abducted you from your
mother. I know he brainwashed you. I know he put you through torture
and it didn’t break you though you resorted to much to survive.”

Maul’s lips pulled up in a snarl at that, hands clenched.

The Jedi tilted his head. “I’m not here to taunt you or hurt you
unless you attack me first.” He announced.

The Force rang with truth to Maul’s confusion and he slowly slumped
his shoulders from their tense position. “…You want to give me a
choice?”

“A way off Coruscant. Back home or wherever you want to go. Sheev
Palpatine is planning to throw you away, eventually he will throw you
away for a new shiny ‘toy’.” The Jedi sighed a bit, wrapping
his arms around himself. “And ruin the galaxy in his ploy to
power…”

Maul narrowed his eyes. “…He has a master, his master would no-”

“He kills his master.” The Jedi raised his brows at him. “That
is the way of Sith. You know this better then me though you are not
yet a lord… you could follow your own way instead of being
discarded like a broken tool.”

Growling a bit, Maul stepped back when the Jedi suddenly lifted one
hand from himself, holding it out towards Maul.

It was a slender hand he noted absently.

“I can show you what happens if you continue this path. Show you
where it leads. What pains you encounter… not all of it, only in
glimpses. But I promise on the Force that it is genuine.” The
redhead murmured.

Maul stared at the others hand for a long moment before slowly moving
towards him, hand hovering a bit before he took the Jedi’s hand in
his, clenching down hard when he felt the soft whisper of someone
trailing against his shields before he allowed the man into the
forefront of his mind.

()()()

Staring at the leaving ship, Obi-Wan wondered where this teenage Maul
would go now.

Perhaps it wouldn’t matter.

Perhaps it would come back to bite him.

But for now he was one less tool and toy for Palpatine to push around
the chessboard that was their lives.

He hated playing the part but he had to pull some of the strings or
everything would unravel…

With a sigh he let the Force sweep him into a quiet ball of
meditation as he listed a bit on the platform. For how long he
couldn’t tell until the soft pressure of a hand on his shoulder
brought him back, finding Qui-Gon beside him with one arm firmly
wrapped around Ben’s waist to keep him on his feet along with the
hand squeezing his shoulder.

The other was staring down at him, brow furrowed. “…Are you
alright? You’ve been gone half the night from the temple, I tried
to locate you but… it was as if you were gone until you cropped up
about an hour ago.” He murmured while carefully letting go of Ben
now that he was supporting himself and not lost in the Force

Brushing off himself, Ben took a deep breath then nodded, a small
smile on his lips. “I am. I was just removing one of the tools the
Sith lord used against us… not sure how good it is but I tried at
least.”

Qui-Gon stared at him before shaking his head. “I see. Hmm, I
wanted to speak about the bond but… I get the feeling you don’t
want to.” He murmured.

YES! OBI WAN (iamben) FINDS BABY MAUL! Or, you know, toddler/tween? But before Palps? Or stealthy steal from Palps? A rescue? Please? Please with maple fudge icing?

Warily pulling his hood up, Maul glanced about the slum of Coruscant
with narrowed eyes.

He had a feeling someone was wa- “Hello.”

Pulling his viroblade from his belt, bypassing his saberstaff, Maul
snarled as he eyed the redhead smiling at him from the shadows of a
canopy above him.

‘Robe… short hair, signs of a recently cut braid. A fresh Jedi
knight.’ He tightened his grasp on his blade. Had he been disco-

The redhead waved his hand and the viroblade pulled itself from
Maul’s grip to float lazily away from them. “You won’t need
that, I’m not here to harm you. I’m here to give you choice Maul
Opress.” The knight stepped further into the light, Maul now able
to pick out the freckles of his skin and the greenness of his eyes as the viroblade was dropped to the ground.

“…How do you know my name?” Maul growled.

Flickering his fingers again, the Jedi pushed back Maul’s hood. “I
know a lot. I know that Sheev Palpatine abducted you from your
mother. I know he brainwashed you. I know he put you through torture
and it didn’t break you though you resorted to much to survive.”

Maul’s lips pulled up in a snarl at that, hands clenched.

The Jedi tilted his head. “I’m not here to taunt you or hurt you
unless you attack me first.” He announced.

The Force rang with truth to Maul’s confusion and he slowly slumped
his shoulders from their tense position. “…You want to give me a
choice?”

“A way off Coruscant. Back home or wherever you want to go. Sheev
Palpatine is planning to throw you away, eventually he will throw you
away for a new shiny ‘toy’.” The Jedi sighed a bit, wrapping
his arms around himself. “And ruin the galaxy in his ploy to
power…”

Maul narrowed his eyes. “…He has a master, his master would no-”

“He kills his master.” The Jedi raised his brows at him. “That
is the way of Sith. You know this better then me though you are not
yet a lord… you could follow your own way instead of being
discarded like a broken tool.”

Growling a bit, Maul stepped back when the Jedi suddenly lifted one
hand from himself, holding it out towards Maul.

It was a slender hand he noted absently.

“I can show you what happens if you continue this path. Show you
where it leads. What pains you encounter… not all of it, only in
glimpses. But I promise on the Force that it is genuine.” The
redhead murmured.

Maul stared at the others hand for a long moment before slowly moving
towards him, hand hovering a bit before he took the Jedi’s hand in
his, clenching down hard when he felt the soft whisper of someone
trailing against his shields before he allowed the man into the
forefront of his mind.

()()()

Staring at the leaving ship, Obi-Wan wondered where this teenage Maul
would go now.

Perhaps it wouldn’t matter.

Perhaps it would come back to bite him.

But for now he was one less tool and toy for Palpatine to push around
the chessboard that was their lives.

He hated playing the part but he had to pull some of the strings or
everything would unravel…

With a sigh he let the Force sweep him into a quiet ball of
meditation as he listed a bit on the platform. For how long he
couldn’t tell until the soft pressure of a hand on his shoulder
brought him back, finding Qui-Gon beside him with one arm firmly
wrapped around Ben’s waist to keep him on his feet along with the
hand squeezing his shoulder.

The other was staring down at him, brow furrowed. “…Are you
alright? You’ve been gone half the night from the temple, I tried
to locate you but… it was as if you were gone until you cropped up
about an hour ago.” He murmured while carefully letting go of Ben
now that he was supporting himself and not lost in the Force

Brushing off himself, Ben took a deep breath then nodded, a small
smile on his lips. “I am. I was just removing one of the tools the
Sith lord used against us… not sure how good it is but I tried at
least.”

Qui-Gon stared at him before shaking his head. “I see. Hmm, I
wanted to speak about the bond but… I get the feeling you don’t
want to.” He murmured.

so, ‘freeforme’… three Force sensitive babies in one room… what next? Vader decides everybody will be much safer with him, and the argument starts the fussy/screaming team? Will Vader discover that he HAS to keep his temper under control or screaming babies? Will he try and blackmail Obi Wan and/or Padme? Just, WHAT NEXT?? (Lady, you are killing me with the suspense!! THANK YOU!)

“You promised, you swore an oath.” Padme hissed at Vader.

Obi-Wan quietly watched them, snuggling Waxer against his chest as he
tried to absorb the dream he had…though perhaps Obi-Wan had a
vision?

It could have been.

Waxer, Luke and Leia, all with their own sabers and decorated braids,
all smiling, all bright eyed and eager…

It made him smile as he nuzzled slowly at his baby, all calm compared
to Vader and Padme’s angry hissing at each other.

“You’d be safer with me, all of you. You can’t honestly think
bringing the babies back to the Rebellion is a good idea?” Vader
growled.

“The Alliance is a much better place for them then the Empire who
brainwashes and enslaves. Look at poor Obi-Wan, the father of his
child tried to SHOT him.” She snapped right back, waving her hand
at him.

Obi-Wan looked up at them before quietly getting up and cuddling
Waxer against him as he stepped back slowly and steadily, warily
eyeing Luke and Leia, both who had wibbling bottom lips.

“You are safer with me, I can take care of all of you. Obi-Wan got
captured seeking medical aid for his baby, whose to say that will not
happen again and next time it will be the Emperor who will have no
kindness for a former Jedi!” Their voices were getting louder.

“Um, Padme…Vader… please.” Obi-Wan tried reaching out.

“Obi-Wan was in hiding! He’s coming back with me now!” Padme
yelled.

The sounds and the darkness made it all unravel and with a loud,
hiccuping cry, Luke was the first of the wee ones to scream, big fat
tears rolling down his face with Leia following her twin quickly
afterward and prompting Waxer to join in on the crying despite being
comforted by his parent.

As they screamed, several light fixtures above their heads started to
fizzle and flicker and then blow out, glass spraying everywhere even
as Obi-Wan yelped and threw his arm up around himself and Waxer to
protect his boy.

Vader flailed and then quickly picked up Leia, bouncing and cooing at
her as Padme did the same with Luke, all three adults desperately
trying to calm the crying kids down.

A sharp, short wail caused a cabinet to almost fall over if it hadn’t
been for Vader quickly settling his side against it and Padme quickly
sidestepped some glass so not to crunch on it.

Obi-Wan luckily escaped most of it since he had backed away.

Once the kids calmed he breathed out then leveled sever look at both
of them. “For Force sake, you two need to keep calm. They are Force
sensitive babes, powerful at that. Emotions are powerful tools in
their possession so please lets not upset them more then necessary.”
He sighed and rested his head on Waxer, cooing softly when he quietly
hiccuped. “That’s it little light, its alright. Dry your little
tears.”

“…Apologies Obi-Wan.”

“Yes, I’m sorry Obi-Wan.”

The quiet chorus came from the other side and the redhead sighed
quietly, nodding. “…Look, you are both right, neither the
Alliance or the Empire are places to raise these babies but this is
the situation we are in. Do you honestly think the Emperor would
leave me or your babies be Darth Vader?” Obi-Wan leveled him a
look. “No. There will be no peace. There will be no rest. The
Emperor will kill, he will take your children and he will corrupt
them as he enslaves the galaxy to his bidding. This is the future…
if you don’t let us GO.” He stared earnestly. “Search your
feelings… please.”

Vader stared at him before slowly looking down at Leia in his arms,
stroking her little tears off her face with a fingertip.

In the end…

He let them go, Obi-Wan leaving with Padme and the twins as quickly
as they could manage.

so, ‘freeforme’… three Force sensitive babies in one room… what next? Vader decides everybody will be much safer with him, and the argument starts the fussy/screaming team? Will Vader discover that he HAS to keep his temper under control or screaming babies? Will he try and blackmail Obi Wan and/or Padme? Just, WHAT NEXT?? (Lady, you are killing me with the suspense!! THANK YOU!)

“You promised, you swore an oath.” Padme hissed at Vader.

Obi-Wan quietly watched them, snuggling Waxer against his chest as he
tried to absorb the dream he had…though perhaps Obi-Wan had a
vision?

It could have been.

Waxer, Luke and Leia, all with their own sabers and decorated braids,
all smiling, all bright eyed and eager…

It made him smile as he nuzzled slowly at his baby, all calm compared
to Vader and Padme’s angry hissing at each other.

“You’d be safer with me, all of you. You can’t honestly think
bringing the babies back to the Rebellion is a good idea?” Vader
growled.

“The Alliance is a much better place for them then the Empire who
brainwashes and enslaves. Look at poor Obi-Wan, the father of his
child tried to SHOT him.” She snapped right back, waving her hand
at him.

Obi-Wan looked up at them before quietly getting up and cuddling
Waxer against him as he stepped back slowly and steadily, warily
eyeing Luke and Leia, both who had wibbling bottom lips.

“You are safer with me, I can take care of all of you. Obi-Wan got
captured seeking medical aid for his baby, whose to say that will not
happen again and next time it will be the Emperor who will have no
kindness for a former Jedi!” Their voices were getting louder.

“Um, Padme…Vader… please.” Obi-Wan tried reaching out.

“Obi-Wan was in hiding! He’s coming back with me now!” Padme
yelled.

The sounds and the darkness made it all unravel and with a loud,
hiccuping cry, Luke was the first of the wee ones to scream, big fat
tears rolling down his face with Leia following her twin quickly
afterward and prompting Waxer to join in on the crying despite being
comforted by his parent.

As they screamed, several light fixtures above their heads started to
fizzle and flicker and then blow out, glass spraying everywhere even
as Obi-Wan yelped and threw his arm up around himself and Waxer to
protect his boy.

Vader flailed and then quickly picked up Leia, bouncing and cooing at
her as Padme did the same with Luke, all three adults desperately
trying to calm the crying kids down.

A sharp, short wail caused a cabinet to almost fall over if it hadn’t
been for Vader quickly settling his side against it and Padme quickly
sidestepped some glass so not to crunch on it.

Obi-Wan luckily escaped most of it since he had backed away.

Once the kids calmed he breathed out then leveled sever look at both
of them. “For Force sake, you two need to keep calm. They are Force
sensitive babes, powerful at that. Emotions are powerful tools in
their possession so please lets not upset them more then necessary.”
He sighed and rested his head on Waxer, cooing softly when he quietly
hiccuped. “That’s it little light, its alright. Dry your little
tears.”

“…Apologies Obi-Wan.”

“Yes, I’m sorry Obi-Wan.”

The quiet chorus came from the other side and the redhead sighed
quietly, nodding. “…Look, you are both right, neither the
Alliance or the Empire are places to raise these babies but this is
the situation we are in. Do you honestly think the Emperor would
leave me or your babies be Darth Vader?” Obi-Wan leveled him a
look. “No. There will be no peace. There will be no rest. The
Emperor will kill, he will take your children and he will corrupt
them as he enslaves the galaxy to his bidding. This is the future…
if you don’t let us GO.” He stared earnestly. “Search your
feelings… please.”

Vader stared at him before slowly looking down at Leia in his arms,
stroking her little tears off her face with a fingertip.

In the end…

He let them go, Obi-Wan leaving with Padme and the twins as quickly
as they could manage.