Chapter Text
Obi-Wan Kenobi would always remember the first time he saw his Master's tattoos.
On the outside he was every inch the proper, if slightly eccentric, Jedi Master, but under the various layers of linen and raw silk of his robes his skin told another story entirely.
It was nearly a month into Obi-Wan's Apprenticeship, nearly a whole month since he'd somehow talked his way out of being sent to the Agri-Corps by convincing Master Qui-Gon to train him as a Sith. He still woke up some days hardly believing what his life had become, and alternating wildly between extreme guilt and dizzy excitement at his choices.
It didn't help that Qui-Gon was clearly feeling exactly the same, and even told him so. Still used to the Jedi way of thinking and defensive from his expulsion from the Temple he'd initially been dismayed, thinking his Master was second-guessing his decision to train him, and instinctively tried to conceal his fears.
But Qui-Gon had just smiled, and reminded him that they weren't Jedi, and that there was no need to hide or suppress how he was feeling from his Master. The idea that his emotions were valid and important was still strange to a boy who had spent his whole life in the Jedi Temple, but Qui-Gon was very insistent that as a Sith his feelings were very important and would make him strong, but only if he faced and conquered them.
So when taking refuge in an abandoned building after negotiations between the planetary government of Rythion Prime and their Commerce Guild had broken down in spectacular fashion, he didn't think to try and hide the immediate fascination he felt when he saw his Master's heavily inked upper body.
It probably wasn't the most appropriate time to stop and gawk, especially considering he was supposed to be patching up the burns on his Master's back from the explosion they'd both narrowly escaped. He was also vaguely aware that the sheer number of scars of dubious origin should probably be more cause for concern or comment, but the intricate black patterns seemed to have a deep power all their own that was captivating to the boy.
At first they seemed like a forest of wickedly curved lines and shapes, arching over his shoulders, back and upper arms like thornvines, but at second glance there was an order and regularity to them which made Obi-Wan wonder if they weren't at least partially a language of some sort, even if it was one he didn't recognize.
Qui-Gon must have noticed the long pause in Obi-Wan's movements after he removed his inner tunic, because he turned around to look at him and raised a weary eyebrow.
"Is everything alright Apprentice?" He asked, upper body twisted just enough to reveal a glimpse of more of the elaborate markings on his front.
"O-of course Master." Obi-Wan stuttered, flushing lightly as he resumed digging around in his belt pouch for first aid supplies.
Blinking quizzically, Qui-Gon looked down at himself before relaxing with a knowing smile. "I suppose this is your first time seeing my tattoos, isn't it?" He asked as Obi-Wan started cleaning his wound with antiseptic.
"Yes, my Master." He admitted, trying harder not to stare. "I've seen Jedi with tattoos before, but never so many. And none quite like yours."
Qui-Gon laughed at that. "I should hope not, my young Apprentice. These are Sith ritual tattoos, the Vhenen Dor Pikar'Tyem Vad'Kaar, which roughly translates as 'dreaded truth gained through endured pain'. They are representations of my Trials and my Mastery as a Sith, as well as invocations for knowledge, strength and passion."
Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. He knew that his Master was well respected as a very wise and accomplished Jedi Master, but it turned out he must also be a very powerful Sith Lord as well if the sheer amount of tattoos were anything to go by.
"That's amazing." He breathed. "So it's kind of like how Padawans can get different coloured beads in their braids for achievements, only more complex?
"That is a good way of looking at it." Qui-Gon agreed. "Ritual tattoos used to actually be fairly common among the Jedi many thousands of years ago, but during the last war against the Sith Empire it fell out of favour because it was seen as too Dark a practice."
He scrunched up his nose as he continued to work on his Master's back. "Did the old Jedi really stop doing something they'd done for ages just because the Sith were doing something similar? That's pretty stupid."
"It was a bit reactionary yes, but in the end they were at war. War is very serious Obi-Wan, and can have a very profound effect on the psyches of the sentients involved."
"Even the Jedi, Master?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "In some case especially the Jedi, my Apprentice. Subduing your emotions when the galaxy is relatively at peace is one thing, but trying to release your hate and anger and fear to the Force while you're watching the people around you suffer and die every day? That's another thing entirely. It's why the Sith were so dangerous to the Jedi Order and the Old Republic, not because they were necessarily stronger than the Jedi, but because they were able to enhance their strength with their emotions. While in the meantime, the Jedi were using up so much of their energy just to keep their feelings suppressed and controlled."
Obi-Wan hummed thoughtfully. "That really isn't efficient, is it Master?" He said after a while.
There was a soft huff of laughter as Obi-Wan finished bandaging up his Master.
"No Apprentice, it is not."