Two. (Open to All)

[beforethedarktimes]

It had taken time, but Obi-Wan had become familiar enough with the holodeck to create a program for the room. Of course, as a first attempt, it was a far cry from some of the programs he’d seen. There were no characters, no costumes or props, but it suited his needs nonetheless.

It was a perfect recreation of one of the numerous training rooms within the Jedi Temple, or at least as perfect as he could make it from memory. The walls were smooth metal, curved and fitted as though they were part of some seamless, organic whole. Familiar tapestries adorned the walls, displaying the tenets of the Jedi Code, and the hard, tile floor bore the symbol of the Order in a ruddy, red stone.

There were a few details he couldn’t fill in of course. The room was the right size, but it didn’t feel quite as … open, as the genuine article. That, and the symbol on the floor was the wrong shade. Too light, or too dark, though for the life of him he couldn’t remember which. But it was close enough. Close enough that, for a moment, it felt like he was home.

It was a welcome change of pace.

While everyone else was busy preparing for the holidays, Obi-Wan could be found in his tranquil recreation of home. The sapphire-blue blade of his lightsaber was lit for the first time since he'd arrived. Despite his lack of practice, he showed no signs of rust as he flowed with practiced ease from one stance to the next.

Comments

[general_chang]

"Why is your sword a laser?" is the question Chang finally asked when he'd taken in the room and the man in it. Energy weapons he gets. Swords he gets. The point of combining both seemed... well, it perhaps unfair to consider it 'childish' but the image of a child putting everything in one bowl and mixing it up comes to Chang's mind anyway.

[beforethedarktimes]

Obi-Wan glances towards the newcomer, a Klingon, if his efforts to learn the races of this new galaxy have yielded any results. He managed to suppress an amused smile. It's a fair question, he supposes, though not one he's ever had to answer before.

"Where I come from, for many, a lightsaber is the symbol of my order. It's the weapon of a Jedi." He rolls his wrist, slowly swinging the lightsaber in a wide, lazy arc. "If you're wondering about practicality, it can cut through nearly anything and deflect fire from energy weapons."

[general_chang]

"Most of my battles have been ship to ship," he replies. "Such a weapon will do more damage to the ship than the people against it."

[beforethedarktimes]

"Whereas most of my encounters have been on the ground." Something he isn't eager to change. While he wouldn't say that he hates flying, he certainly prefers to have his feet firmly on the ground.

[general_chang]

"It will not be so here," he pointed out. "You live on a starship, not a world."

[beforethedarktimes]

"True," Obi-Wan agreed with a nod. "Though as I'm not a member of Starfleet, I don't know that I could offer more than the occasional word of tactical advice." This ship, the technology that drives it, and even the world around it is still new to him.

[general_chang]

"You would stand by should an attack come to this ship?" he asked with an eyebrow. He didn't believe that for a second. This man didn't seem the type.

[beforethedarktimes]

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, of course not."

That wasn't in question for Obi-Wan. He may be a civilian here, but that didn't mean he had any intention of being passive.

"All I mean to say is that if the ship is attacked, there are already hands more capable than mine at the controls. That doesn't mean I won't do everything in my power to protect the people on this ship."

[general_chang]

"That is more than 'the occasional word of tactical advice'," he pointed out.

[beforethedarktimes]

"A poor choice of words." He conceded, deactivating his lightsaber and returning it to the clip on his belt. "Though truthfully, it's difficult to know where I fit into things here."

[general_chang]

"It is your choice," he replied, shrugging slightly. "If you wish to go and protect a planet, then you can."

[beforethedarktimes]

"Here in a broader sense." Obi-Wan replied in turn.

"I've been doing what I can to learn more about this reality, but there's still much that I don't know. Even then, my Order and the Republic that I serve don't exist here."

[general_chang]

"And this Order and Republic tells you who you are and what you do," he concluded. "Without them, you are adrift and uncertain."

[beforethedarktimes]

"They provide a sense of purpose at the very least. Community as well." Obi-Wan said.

"If you'll forgive the assumption, I imagine you might feel something similar if you found yourself in a place where the Klingon Empire didn't exist. Or the Federation and the Romulans, for that matter." There's no defensiveness or accusation in Obi-Wan's voice; he's merely explaining his experience here.

[general_chang]

'Forgive the assumption' earned a dark look from him.

"I have been taken from my universe before, I forged my own purpose and my own community. I did not need my Empire to forge it, much less the Federation or Romulans."

[beforethedarktimes]

"My apologies." Obi-Wan said, realizing he'd clearly touched a nerve. He could have attempted to explain things better, but somehow it didn't seem like a particularly wise move. "I had no idea."

[general_chang]

He snorted. That had not being the nerve that was being touched, but nice try, Obi Wan. "My people do not apologise. If I were truly offended you would not be standing up."

[beforethedarktimes]

"Then I'm glad you're not offended." He replied with a small smile, and he meant it. He's glad to avoid any conflict.

[general_chang]

He shrugged. "Why?" he asked. "You can't take a punch?"

[beforethedarktimes]

"I've taken more than one, and if I have to, I'll continue to do so." Obi-wan shrugged. "It doesn't mean I'm eager to. I was always taught to avoid conflict if it can be helped."

[general_chang]

"It is a source of change and challenge for me," he replied.