a/n: A short story -in-progress; three chapters long, currently, written in October and published during November, as I work on my NaNo. Comments make the world go 'round! : - )

"You know, Master Yoda, in all technicalities I have no obligation to take on another Padawan." Obi-Wan frowned as he gazed out into the sea of younglings, all hoping to be noticed by a Master as they fake-dueled and fake-tried-to-kill each other. "In fact, it might be better if I didn't get another. After all, I frequently go into high-risk situations that would be extremely dangerous for a youngling."

"Care about that, you think I do?" Yoda squinted out into the mix. "Outrank you, I do! Do whatever the kark I tell you to, you must."

"Yes, Master." He really couldn't argue with that. "But if I don't really want to take one on I'll never be able to form a bond and then that'll not make for a nice situation growing up, as they will constantly strive for attention and love and never get any and then one day I will abandon him or her for a new, shinier Padawan and then I'll die," he added, angsting just a little.

"Dead, Qui-Gon is! Get over that, you must."

"I feel as though I should be allowed my own period of time to mourn."

"No. Anyway, picked out a Padawan for you, I have!"

"Oh, really? And who might that be?" Obi-Wan figured it was just better to pretend to say he would take a new apprentice, and then go to Jabiim and get tortured, or something.

"There, in the center of arena, is she!" He pointed a trembling, green finger to where a girl with hair so black it was as though some divine figure had poured coffee of the deepest sort onto it. "Rhiannon Moonfire, she is called."

"Ahh." He wanted to comment on the foolishness of the name, but living for a decade with someone called "Skywalker" made him stop. He watched as she stabbed an opponent with her shining silver lightsaber and squealed so loudly upon being pronounced the winner that he could hear her from where he stood. "Two quick questions: Why does she have a silver lightsaber, and is she a good duelist?"

"A silver lightsaber she has because she is special and powerful above all others, and shown, that must be! And yes, a good duelist is she. Never lost one since she came here, has she! Of course, having only come here a year ago, not hard, that is."

"A year ago! Are we just taking in every Force-sensitive kid we find?"

"Yeah, pretty much. And a kid, she is not! Fifteen, is she. Had three Masters already, the poor dear has."

"Three Masters in a year? How did she manage that?"

"An unknown tragedy, what happened to the first two is. Lasted a full six months did the last one, before running away and screaming something about being 'unable to take it anymore.'" Yoda shrugged. "A hard, terrible life, has this one lived! Born to poor parents and had to teach herself to read, she did, and-"

"Okay, I get the picture." Obi-Wan nodded. "She's a super-special prodigy. But do I have to take her on? I thought that nobody, not even the Council, could force an unwilling Master to take on a Padawan. And I'm a member of the Council myself!"

"Want Ahsoka, Anakin did not at first! Look how beautifully they are shaping out, you must."

"Master, she's the most disobedient member of her age-group who has no respect for authority."

"A teenager, you say? Agree, I do. And retconned the rules, we did! Do whatever we tell you, you must."

"But I am the Council. Or a member, at least."

"Oh, deal with it, you will!"

Obi-Wan sighed. "Will anything positive come out of my arguing?"

"Kriff, no!"

"Fine. I'll try to make things work with her." He figured he could just say he took her on and then turn all of the actual training over to Anakin. Teach him a lesson. "I'll pick her up from the Room o' Lost Souls in half an hour." (For what it was worth, he hadn't voted for that name for the Initiates' quarters, but apparently his fellow Council Members had a bizarre sense of humour.)

"Good! Never argue, you should. Always give into peer pressure, you must!" Yoda gently patted Obi-Wan's knee. "A last thing, there is: Has a midi-chlorian count of twenty-thousand, she does, and Asajj Ventress's sister, she is."

"Twenty-thousand? What? That can't be right! That's-" he continued protesting as the aged green Master hobbled off to his apartments.

This would not be fun.

-Room o' Lost Souls-

"Could it perhaps be that my life is turning around?" Rhiannon swept into the girls' room, shock written all over her pale-as-the-virgin-snow face. "At last, a Master has taken humble me on! I am in shock!"

Irr'Ellavent, a female Twi'lek who was made homely by comparison to the girl with eyes like the ever-changing twilight, gasped. "Oh, Rhiannon! How wonderful. Do tell, who has had the fortune of taking you on?"

"You flatter me, beloved friend! Master Kenobi has kindly agreed to train me to the best of his wide ability."

"Master Kenobi? That piece of gorgeous dreaminess? You lucky girl! I should be jealous of you, and yet I cannot bring myself to be."

"Oh, but do not worry, Ella. You might not be as pretty or as talented or as charismatic as me, but I'm sure somebody will like you!" Rhiannon smiled dreamily.

"Perhaps you are right, but still, I worry. You see-" the Twi'lek was about to continue when the sound of melting durasteel reached cut through the peace with a screech. Both of them turned around, startled to see a lightsaber's shining blue blade cutting through the door. It burned out a neat circle, which the person controlling the tool kicked in, before jumping through the molten-edged space.

"Eek! A man!" Ella jumped, while Rhiannon kept her dignity, though a startled look did appear on her face at the sight of another, male Padawan.

"Johun! What is the meaning of this untimely disturbance?"

"I have heard the news, Rhiannon!" He crossed the room in three great strides, an expression of grief written on his face. "They've come to take you away! Oh, darling, I've never told you, but I've always loved you!" He grasped her hand and knelt on the floor, staring up into her beautiful, swirling eyes. "Don't leave me, now!"

"Oh, Johun! I am sorry, but I must!" She sighed tragically. "Visit me, please! I now depart to meet with my new Master, but I will never forget my humble beginnings!"

She picked out the pre-packed bags she always kept with her and swept out of the room, never looking back to where Ella sobbed and Johun cried out, "Rhiannon! I promise you heaven if you stay! Don't leave me, now!"

Somewhere far in the distance, Obi-Wan felt his destiny approaching…