Chapter Text
Opening your eyes with a controlled exhale, you breathe in your surroundings; around you, sitting in similar cross legged positions, were your fellow younglings. They all seemed to be in a deeper focus than you could manage currently.
Your lack of focus wasn’t entirely your fault, you couldn’t draw your attention away from your growing problem. There was a presence flowing through the force, one that refused to clear your mind. But what made this presence so difficult to ignore was the emotion radiating from it. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t shake away the feeling of grief and uncertainty. These feelings, you knew, did not belong to you. No, they had to belong to someone else– but who?
You huffed out a breath in frustration, giving up trying to keep your thoughts from wandering.
Since you awoke this morning, your mind hadn’t been able to stray away from the presence. you’d tried to ask if any of the others in your class had also felt an agitation, but to no avail. The inability your peers had to sense it was beginning to have you doubting if there even was anything at all.
“Younglings, open your eyes and slowly bring your focus back to your surroundings.'' The sudden voice of Master Kando Sadra startled you from your thoughts.
You turned your head to Master Kando— only to find her gaze already locked upon you. From the moment your eyes met you were met with a feeling of weariness directed towards you. The look in her eyes spoke more to you than anything else; your lack of concentration didn’t go unnoticed.
Now I’m going to have Master Kando on my back. this day just keeps getting better and better, you thought bitterly.
“With the power of your concentration, you are able to channel the force through you.” She glanced around the room, looking fondly upon your peers. Master Kando always had a way of finding the strength in all of her students; she was talented in fostering confidence in everyone she spoke to.
“Now all of you stand, please, and turn to the person next to you.”
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Just as you anticipated, as soon as the lesson concluded, she gently pulled you aside in the corridor.
“Y/N, there seems to be something weighing heavy on your mind– is there anything you wish to share?”
For a moment you contemplated whether you should be honest or not. Although she means well in her concern, you felt embarrassed that she had been able to read you so easily. It was impossible to hide anything from her, she held a great power for reading the emotions of others through the force..
At around 6-years-old you were indicted into the order. Your few memories of your home planet, Cantonica , still remained– as well as a fading glance into your previous life with your mother. Your transition to the temple on Coruscant was rather easy, as you had grown up in the overwhelming city of Canto Bight. The sound of passing ships and bustling city ambiance was like home to you. Though you would never admit this openly, as attachments were strictly forbidden. Regardless, that never stopped you from holding onto that small piece you still had of where you came from.
Closing your eyes tightly for a few moments to collect yourself, you let the attachment you felt pass over you soon after it arrived.
It must be the presence I’m sensing that’s the cause of this, you reasoned.
“Master, all day I’ve been plagued with feelings of distress. Have you been in a similar situation?” You asked pleadingly.
“I’m afraid not, young one, could you explain further?” She inquired with a quizzical look upon her face.
“That’s just it, I can’t explain it. These feelings are not my own, but I can’t understand where they’re coming from.” You let out a heavy sigh.
“Not your own, you say? I suspect this matter shall resolve itself soon. The force works in mysterious ways, though it always is able to guide us in the right direction.” She gently placed a hand on your shoulder as a comforting gesture.
“Trust in your senses, they don’t often fail you.” Masking her face of any emotion, she squeezed your shoulder before lightly nudging you in the direction of your shared dormitory with your fellow younglings.
“Go on, catch up with the others.” Although she hid her sentiments behind a veil, you could still sense her concern. It was nice to know she cared, even though she preferred to keep her sentiments to herself.
Feeling your head become clearer, you began your walk back through the stretching hall of the temple to your bed, the promise of a restful night guiding your feet.
Master Kando always finds the right words, you thought appreciatively.
As you began walking along you had gotten about halfway to your destination before you were startled by a voice coming from around the corner of the hallway.
“Now wait right here.” You heard the voice of Obi-Wan speaking, captivating your attention even more.
“Why can I not come with you?” You heard an unfamiliar voice respond As the words met your ears, you felt an almost flutter in your force energy. The feeling left behind a tingling sensation in your chest.
“I would take you with me if I could, but it is important I speak with them alone. Please find some patience for both of our sakes.” You heard Obi-Wan sigh heavily.
“Okay… I guess I understand.”
You could hardly hear his mumbled response as footsteps began to march further away until they could no longer be heard. After the footsteps vanished, you found yourself giving in to your curious nature, turning the corner to be met face to face with a young boy. He was sitting on the raised section of a pillar against the wall, kicking his feet
The first thing you noticed about him was his alluring blue eyes, when they locked with yours as you rounded the corner. As soon as your gaze met his, you felt a burst of emotion flow right through you. Grief, fear, and longing– it was almost overwhelming. You could also sense his growing curiosity.
So this is who I’ve been sensing, you concluded.
Your curiosity, still getting the better of you, is what stopped you from dashing straight back to your dorm.
His round face was slumped into a frown, with blonde hair long enough that it almost covered his eyes. You wondered where he came from, and why he had sand all in his hair. This boy was definitely not somebody you recognized, yet he seemed so familiar; you knew all of the younglings in the temple. The second thing you noticed was that he was shorter than you. At least he seemed shorter, it could be wishful thinking. You were, after all, the second shortest youngling in your age group, next to your friend Mae. The prospect of being taller than someone was strangely exciting.
“Are you a Jedi?” The boy asked plainly, clearly confused by your sudden appearance.
“Yes, well I’m a Jedi in training at least.”
“So, do you live here?”
“Well, where else would I live?” You replied, walking over to where he sat. At this he smirked, and you felt a glimmer of amusement radiate through the force. Who is this?
“I guess you have a point there.” He admitted.
“My name is Y/N.” You extended your hand out towards him politely, which he gratefully took. “I’m Anakin.”
“So, where are you from, Anakin?” You questioned in an attempted nonchalant tone, dropping his hand gently and lowering yourself to sit alongside him. You noted the slight drop in his shoulders at the question.
“Tatooine.” You nodded in acknowledgment.
“Well that explains the sand in your hair” You brushed off a bit of sand from the top of his head as a demonstration of your claim, watching as it fell on the blue carpeting lining the halls. You lifted your eyes back up to meet his again. Only you were with a contemplative expression on his face. Your face flushed, suddenly feeling embarrassed after realizing what you had done.
“What brings you all the way out here?” You were quick to redirect his attention. You seemed to be unable to hold back the questions gathering at the back of your mind.
You were unsure what else a young boy could have business in a Jedi Temple for. You questioned if he would be considered too old to begin training, but elected not to voice said concerns. After all, you had only begun your training 3 years ago.
“Obi-Wan brought me here to ask the council if he could train me.” He sighed exasperated. “Master Qui-Gon was supposed to, but…” You didn’t need him to finish to understand the shift in his mood. You had heard the news of Master Qui-Gon’s death from one of the older younglings– though you had only spoken a few times, his death still saddened you. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for Obi-Wan. Your understanding of his emotions passing through you gave you a feeling of solidarity
“I’m to be his padawan, if they allow it.”
“A padawan?” You gasped, your surprise evident on your face. It was rare to see someone as young as himself being taken on as a padawan. It became clear to you that he must be very special if he was chosen at his age.
“I’m still waiting to be chosen myself.” You tried to push away your twinge of jealousy, though a bit slipped through your poorly constructed mask.
“I’m happy I met you.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Thank you for stopping to talk to me, I hope to see you-” Cutting off his speech abruptly, you turned to see Obi-Wan rapidly approaching from the cor.
“Anakin, it’s time for us to leave.” He gently turned to look at you, acknowledging your presence. He gave you a tired, but sympathetic look and you nodded your head. You understood what he was asking without the need for words. Standing up, you turned your attention inconspicuously towards Anakin.
“Goodbye, Anakin” You smiled at him genuinely, a smile which he returned with his own.
“Goodbye, Y/N”
You watched the pair until they disappeared from the halls, before making your own departure.
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You seldom fell asleep with ease, but it also didn’t help that Fenn, sleeping in the bed next to you, was snoring up a storm. The reason behind your usual insomnia was a result of your unique abilities surrounding your incredible foresight. Most nights you were taken with visions of the future– some were good, like the small glimpses into your future as a Jedi. But alongside the good, came the visions of clashing lightsabers and familiar voices calling out to you in distress. Your skills at foreshadowing the near future had once saved a young Padawan from a serious blaster injury, as you had received a vision of a training droid firing on them. Sure enough as you had seen, a droid malfunctioned and began firing all around the temple before it was disabled– the same droid which was being used by the Padawan learner.
Though often alongside your visions, you would also unintentionally adopt the dream’s of others. You were unable to control it enough to block out your roommates' dreams from leaking into your own, but you hoped that with practice, you’d be able to build a mental blockade to keep them at bay. You’d never be fully at peace in the night unless you slept alone, which was impossible considering your dorm held five jedi initiates.
In your many nights spent entangled in the minds of others, you’ve come to learn a lot about what troubles them in their waking lives.
For example, you had discovered through a series of nightmares that one of your peers, Deena, was worried she was falling behind in training. You found this to be nonsensical, as she could best you in a duel on a bad day. (Which she had on multiple occasions.) She was only 2 years older than you, you still looked up to and admired her. You only wished that she would see herself in a similar light.
Or even Markus, who dreamed often of his mother. You felt a large amount of sympathy for him; it must be difficult to have a face you wished so deeply to see only appear in the form of a dream. You had contemplated many times asking your peers about their dreams, but you wouldn’t dare admit openly to your nightly struggles. Out of a fear of losing the trust of those around you, as well as their respect, you did your best to keep your abilities hidden from your fellow younglings. The only exception was your mentors, as you felt safe in sharing your struggles with the adults you trusted.
With all of your nightly struggles weighing on your tired mind, you turned to lay on your back. Though you made a valiant attempt to clear your mind, even going as far as to utilize your meditation training, you felt your thoughts wander back to your encounter earlier that evening.
You hadn’t met anyone quite as interesting as Anakin before, which was probably the reason why you kept replaying the conversation in your head. You even found yourself to be hoping to see him again.