To Temba or Not to Temba

[hadthehighground]

WHO: Obi-Wan Kenobi and YOU
WHERE: Temba and Not-Temba
WHAT: Exploring and such!
WHEN: During the event
WARNINGS: None atm


[Train and Arrival]

While several piled onto the first train out of Temba, Obi-Wan hung back for a bit. He had a lot to consider after all before he took off. That included making sure animals were taken care of. That things were worked out with Padme and the twins. As well as checking in with all of his padawans. There had to be at least a little bit of a plan and some organization before he left.

Eventually though, he did board a train with some supplies to take with him. The train is largely empty, and if he's alone he'll sit by himself and stare out a window until the train goes into the tunnel. But if there's someone there, he will meander over and gesture at a nearby seat. "May I?" Because one might as well pass the time with some conversation.

When they finally arrive though he will step off the train and either look for any familiar faces or go about exploring on his own.

[The Forest for the Trees]

Upon coming into the city, Obi-Wan can't help but be fascinated by all of the life that is thriving here. It may not be sentient life, but it is life nonetheless. The wild reclaiming much of the city with huge trees that one can't help but marvel at. The Jedi found admiring the tall plant life as he circled around one of the massive trunks. Then with seemingly little effort, the man makes a spectacular jump, one that should be impossible for an average human.

Jumping from limb to limb, the Jedi makes his way higher and higher into one of the tallest of the massive trees. Eventually going as high up as he could safely, taking a moment to look out at the view before settling onto a thick branch and admiring the animals that lived there. Doing his best not to bother them. It there that he takes the time to meditate, finding peace in the Force while surrounded by all of this life. A few curious animals approaching the serene Jedi with a few sitting near him or even perching on him as he stayed completely still. The wildlife seemingly unbothered by his presence with the calm aura be put out.

[Hangar]

After his meditations, Obi-Wan comes down from the tree and seeks out other explorers. At some point he manages to come across both Poe and the Mandalorian. The trio deciding to check out a building that he had seen from his vantage point in the tree, which suspiciously looked like a hangar.

"We shouldn't get our hopes up, but if there are ships in there, it could solve the problem of our currently over crowded vessels," Obi-Wan muses as they approach the building. That is if they would even be in good working order.

[Temba]

As fun as it was to have some place new to explore, eventually Obi-Wan had to go back, at least for a time. He had promised Padme that he would help take care of the twins, which meant taking a babysitting shift for a few days. At least until she came back or another babysitter came in to take his place.

During that time though he spent most of his time around the temple. But on occasion he did take the babies with him to the diner or out on walks in the city.

[Wildcard]

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Comments

[hadthehighground]

Ah, well. Obi-Wan shifts a bit, sighing softly as he considers that. He is appreciative of the apology though.

"It's not your fault. I know that it's difficult to understand, and even accept, some of our ways. Having questions is only natural."

He had been upset at the meeting, that much is true. There had been a crossing of wires which led to a massive misunderstanding. He realized that, especially since he's had time to reflect on it. Any anger from that particular incident has faded, and the one at the howl, well he was never angry there to begin with.

"To be honest I've been a bit ashamed of my own reactions. It's not like me to behave that way." He should be able to handle it better. Normally he would be, but a lot has changed since the Purge. He has changed.

[kyley_b]

Kyle peels his eyes off of the slothturtle, looking over at Obi-Wan cautiously. "Don't be ashamed, dude," he says earnestly. "I know you guys are like, space monks, but you're allowed to have feelings."

He carefully plucks a leaf from the tree they're in. "I mean, that's kinda how you know you're alive, right? Having emotions? Even if they're not pleasant."

[hadthehighground]

"I never said we weren't," Obi-Wan says with a vaguely amused look. He appreciated Kyle's attempt to cover for him, to let him know it was okay for him to feel the way he did. It showed that he cared.

"But having feelings doesn't give one the right to react badly to them. That's true for anyone, don't you think?"

It's true that he's probably being a bit harder on himself than he should be, he hadn't raged at Kyle and insulted him in four galactic languages or anything, but he did have standards as a Jedi.

[kyley_b]

Kyle shrugs. "I mean... I dunno, it's not exactly a crime. Ideally we'd all act totally appropriately all the time, but that's not very realistic. And you didn't act BADLY or anything. You were just, you know, upset. 'Cause I'm kind of a dick sometimes."

He shrugs again. "Anyway. I just wanted to say I was sorry."

[hadthehighground]

The Jedi sighed softly, knowing it was futile to argue. His face softening at the earnestness of the young man’s words. Knowing he was being sincere.

“Apology accepted,” he then said. “And I hope we can continue to be friends.” Because that’s all he really wants. Obi-Wan never wanted to quarrel with anyone. Especially in this world where they had to rely on each other.

[kyley_b]

Kyle brightens. While not as socially driven as some, he nevertheless doesn't like being seen as an asshole. And after years spent more or less on his own, the idea of friends is extremely appealing.

"Of course!" He smiles, almost shyly. "I can't promise I won't stop asking you stupid questions, though. Unless you want me to just not ask about anything ever."

[hadthehighground]

“I don’t mind questions at all,” Obi-Wan assured him with his own kindly smile.

“Though do take into account that I might not have all the answers. And on top of that some topics are difficult to discuss. The Sith being one of them. I lost many people I cared about at their hands.”

[kyley_b]

"Yeah," Kyle says, looking a little ashamed. "I get that. And I'll be way more sensitive about it now that I know, I promise."

He brightens a little bit. "At least there's none of them here? I know that doesn't change the past but at least YOU guys are safe."

[hadthehighground]

It was good that they were coming to an understanding. Obi-Wan was more hopeful about things going forward.

“Yes, I am grateful for that. But it can always change. I’ve heard there was one here in the past.”

So he couldn’t let down his guard completely.

“You see, there is someone I love. I trained him, and fought by his side. He was like a brother to me. But he fell and joined the Sith. He killed many of my fellow Jedi not long before I arrived here and even tried to kill me.” Taking a deep breath, he let it out again. “That’s why I reacted the way I did at the howl.”

[kyley_b]

"Oh, JESUS, dude!" Kyle's reactions are always honest, sometimes painfully so. He looks absolutely horrified.

"I am so, so sorry. That's... yeah. God. That's awful. There's nothing like that sort of betrayal."

[hadthehighground]

Wincing slightly at that outburst, Obi-Wan raised his hand and shook his head.

"You didn't know Kyle, and you couldn't have known." He didn't hold that against him at all. But now there was that honesty between them, so hopefully such incidents could be avoided in the future.

[kyley_b]

"Yeah, but still." He settles a bit, frowning.

"God, you must be seriously fucked up over it. You should like... talk to Clarice maybe, she does the whole psychology thing really well."

[hadthehighground]

That’s not exactly how he would put it but… “It has been difficult,” he admits honestly. Ezra has seen his struggles here more than most. Obi-Wan trying to keep it contained but unable to fool his found brother.

“And I already talk to Clarice from time to time, though not usually about this.” She had taught him how to make a mind palace. A place where he could escape internally and return home from time to time. He used that in his meditations sometimes. Building on it gradually.

[kyley_b]

Kyle nods. "You could, you know. She's not really judgmental or anything." He offers a little smile. "Hell, anybody would probably be happy to listen, if you needed someone."

[hadthehighground]

"I don't know about anyone," Obi-Wan says with clear doubt. "But I appreciate that sentiment. Much of it is still difficult to talk about, and I would rather not burden anyone with my problems seeing as everyone has plenty already."

[kyley_b]

Kyle snorts and carefully waves a hand. "Dude. PLEASE don't do that 'I don't wanna burden anybody' thing. On my planet that's like... I'm not sure what they call it, but it's not good for you."

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan snorts at that. “Amd what would you have me do? Cry on shoulders and rant about how my life is unfair?”

He sighs and shakes his head.“That’s not good for anyone. Normally I would go to a Jedi, who is older and wiser than I am. But here I am the older and wiser Jedi.” He has leaned on Ezra a few times, but dumping his feelings on his Padawans just didn’t seem right.

[kyley_b]

"When you need to, yeah." A simple answer. "Not all the TIME but you're allowed to break sometimes, dude."

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan lets out a soft sigh at that. Perhaps admitting a bit to himself that Kyle is right, but still not looking entirely comfortable with the idea.

"I don't know that there's anyone here I would feel entirely comfortable doing that with."

Talking was one thing but willingly breaking down and pouring out his emotions? That was a bit harder. Especially as there were some things he didn't think he could talk to anyone about. Ezra, and maybe Padme, he could get partly there, but he was still a bit guarded with them in some aspects for one reason or another.

[kyley_b]

Kyle nods. "Yeah. Yeah, I get that. It's not really something most people feel comfortable doing, least of all somebody like you who is clearly the guy a lot of people look up to."

He shrugs and looks down, becoming aware once more how high up they are. "It's tough, isn't it? Living. But worth it."

[hadthehighground]

Well that pretty much hit the nail on the head and Obi-Wan can only just nod in quiet agreement. Being a leader can be lonely sometimes as you had to set an example.

“Living is hard,” Obi-Wan agrees. “No matter where one finds themself in life. But yes, I do believe it’s worth it. No amount of pain makes me regret the life I’ve lived, and I hope it’s the same for you.”

[kyley_b]

Kyle might be impulsive, crude, and insensitive, but he's leagues away from stupid.

He grins. "Yeah, no real regrets I guess. And I mean, I'm here. Here is pretty cool." He laughs. "Well, okay, maybe not up this tree forever, but you know what I mean."