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[hadthehighground]

[Someone has been gone for quite awhile. He disappeared sometime during the whole Valentine fiasco and is only just now showing back up again. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think he had left this world altogether, but nope he’s still here! Obi-Wan had simply gone outside the city into the Wilderness to be alone and meditate. Needing the time to think and sort things out in his mind with a little help from the Force.

So maybe you will be surprised when you see his face again? He looks no worse for wear, though he is ready to take a shower for sure.]

I apologize for my lengthy absence. It was needed so that I could have some time to think.

Many of you have come to know me as Ben Kenobi, and I regret to say that’s not entirely correct. My actual name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I had changed my name in order to protect myself before even arriving here. I’m certain many of you will understand my caution as you know the history of the Jedi. However, I have decided such measures are not needed here.

When I first came here, the only members of my kind were myself and Cal. Since then, there are now four of us. Which is largely what brought about my extended leave. I don’t know why so many of us have been brought to this place, but I hadn’t expected to be around so many ever again.

All of us have known what it’s like to be alone. To be hunted and in hiding, living each day with a threat looming over us. There is no reason that should be so as long as we are here. No matter our past struggles, we are still Jedi, and here we don’t have to hide that fact.

Seeing as I was once a member of the High Council, it would be expected of me to see to the safety and well-being of all the Jedi here. I intend to live up to that expectation. I wish to find a place that we can call our own. A temple if you will. Where we can gather, learn, and perhaps even live together. As the only master among us, I have decided to also make myself available for teaching. It won’t exactly be conventional, but these are unconventional times.

Thus I would like to speak with all of you regarding this. And you as well, Mandalorian. We have a great deal to discuss.

Oh... and before I forget. Can anyone explain this?

[Obi-Wan then turns his device to show a giant feathered lizard wearing a saddle and bridle, chewing on leaves not too far away.]

I found her just before I left.

Comments

[hadthehighground]

[All joking has been put aside. There’s a solemn compassion from the Jedi as he listens.]

So he was hunting your young friend. Was he an Imperial?

[foundlingfather]

[He'd appreciate it. He gives a nod.]

He led Imperial remnants. He's a Moff. Moff Gideon. [Does the name ring any bells?] I thought I killed him five months ago. [Because seriously. Who survives the crash of a freaking tie-fighter?] But he's not. Found out only weeks before meeting with Ahsoka...and waking up here.

[hadthehighground]

Remnants? Do you mean the Empire has been fractured in your time?

[Interesting. Though why hunt a Jedi child in that case? Was it not just to kill him?]

What could he possibly want with Grogu?

[foundlingfather]

Yes. The Empire fell five years ago. [So good news, sorta?] But there's still remnants out there.

[There's a long pause before he speaks again. He's not sure why he's telling Obi-wan this, but it feels right. He is a Jedi after all. Dealt with the Empire.]

For experiments. [There's anger seeping into the tone. Even if he doesn't understand all of it, their actions weren't right. There's no honor in experimenting on an innocent child.] Wanted his blood because-- [Give him a second to remember the message.] --something about a high m-count. [Whatever that means, Mando doesn't know. But it can't be good, if they were willing to almost kill a child to try and get enough blood.]

I rescued the kid from one of their base labs. [That he, himself, turned the kid in to. But details. He seriously regrets hose actions. His helmet tilts to the side a bit, glancing over to where said kid is playing on the blurrg.] Almost a year ago.

[hadthehighground]

[As he listens, Obi-Wan’s expression goes from calm, to slightly horrified, to startled as he takes in a sharp breath at the mention of an m-count.

Yes. He knows what that means.

The Jedi’s hand running over his mouth and beard as he considers this information. They only wanted his blood? Could that mean?

The man pales a bit as his thoughts go back to a certain lab he first stumbled on back on Kamino.]

Could they have been using him to try to clone force sensitives? ... That has never been done.

[foundlingfather]

[Mando's silent as he looks back to the feed, and watches the play of emotions across the other man's face. Seems Oi-wan may have been the right one to tell this to after all.

His helm tilts, as he takes in this information. Force sensitives? Is that what Grogu is?]

...they haven't had success at it. I saw a holo message of theirs. Said attempts had failed so far. Said they needed the kid again for more. [He frowns under the helmet at the thought.] They won't get him. If I have any say in it.

[hadthehighground]

Well that’s reassuring at least.

[Obi-Wan can breathe a sigh of relief, which he does. Cloning has proven to be a terrible thing to begin with. Being able to clone force sensitives though? That could be truly disastrous.]

Good. I’m certain you can keep him safe. For that I am glad.

[foundlingfather]

It is.

[He can at least agree on that. Even if he doesn't completely understand it.

The praise humbles him a little, and might be hard to tell but he shifts his weight a little off camera. His voice dips into a more humble tone.]

...thank you. It...hasn't been easy. [Understatement of the decade.]

[hadthehighground]

No, I’m certain it hasn’t. And I’m certain it won’t get any easier.

[The Jedi smiles reassuringly though.]

Doing the right thing never is. Though it is always worth it if it is something you care about, or someone.