Chapter Text
Korkie stared at the starfighters in awe. He was close enough to see his reflection in the gleaming metal, close enough to touch them if he wanted to. There were two, one yellow and the other red, the latest model available. The Jedi crest painted on the wings left no room for doubt as to who they belonged to, and he couldn’t help but hope that he might catch a glance of the pilots.
An r4 unit tootled cheerfully from it’s hardwired position at the front of the red starfighter, conversing eagerly with a blue r2 unit and gold protocol droid. Even though he wasn’t fluent in Binary, Korkie could pick up a few words in the rapid fire conversation between the three. From the protocol droid’s occasional cry of dismay or frightened inquiry, the astromech’s were relating some sort of detailed retelling of a mission they had lately been on that included several harrowing escapes.
Glancing around to see if anyone was watching, he cautiously reached a hand out to touch the shining hull of the ship. As long as he could remember, he had wanted to fly a starfighter, and this would likely be the closest chance he would get. But a second before his finger made contact with the small craft, the r4 unit let out an indignant beep, trilling something in binary that he didn’t understand.
“May I help you?”
He whirled at the sound of the voice behind him, completely caught off guard. Almost immediately he recognized Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, having seen him across the holonet hundreds of times. He looked only slightly different in real life, the dark circles under his eyes and fine laugh lines at the corners of his eyes a telling sign that war was not as glamorous as it was pronounced to be.
But that wasn’t how Korkie knew him. To this day, he remembered the Jedi from a time far before the war, when he’d only been Padawan Kenobi. He’d only been five when the Trade Federation had occupied Naboo, but he still remembered the news anchor reporting the death of Qui-Gon Jinn, Kenobi’s master. His aunt had explained to him then how she knew the two Jedi, who seemed to be the only ones she had an amicable relationship with.
And here he was, in the flesh.
Suddenly, he realised the man was waiting for him to answer his question. Korkie felt his face flush. “I… I just wanted to look at your starfighter. I’ve never seen one up close.”
The Jedi smiled, the hint of a dimple appearing in his cheek. “Is this your first time on Coruscant?”
“Yes.” He’d been once before, but only on a school trip when he was seven. “Is it new?”
“Not new, no. Just recently cleaned.” The man touched the fighter fondly. “There’s word that we’ll be getting replacements soon. I’ll miss her.”
“Miss who, Master?”
Obi-Wan glanced up at the blonde Jedi approaching them. “Nothing of importance. Where did you disappear off to?”
Anakin Skywalker--it was impossible not to recognize one of the most famous people in the entire galaxy--mumbled something unintelligible before turning to Korkie. “And who’s this?”
“Korkie Kryze, of Kalevala.”
Recognition lit in Kenobi’s eyes. “You’re related to Satine, then?”
Satine . So the Jedi did remember her. “Yes, I’m her nephew.” Curiosity rose. “You know her?”
Something--he didn’t know exactly what--clouded Obi-Wan’s eyes. Bittersweet was the only word he had for the emotion. “I did.”
Skywalker raised a skeptical eyebrow, but said nothing.
“Korkie!”
Hearing his aunt’s call, he turned to see her and the Senator Amidala approaching them. Her eyes flickered over his shoulder briefly, and he immediately sensed the shift in her attitude.. Though her smile remained the same, he could see her closing herself off. “Master Kenobi, Jedi Skywalker, a pleasure to see you here.”
The Jedi bowed, Obi-Wan’s a bit stiff and formal, and Skywalker’s full of dramatic flair as he offered the two women a wink. “Duchess, Padmé.”
Senator Amidala smiled fondly at the Jedi. “Anakin, Obi-Wan, it’s good to see you again. I hope you’ve fully recovered, Obi-Wan. The Republic is deeply indebted to you.”
Obi-Wan’s face relaxed somewhat, and he offered the Senator a small smile. “I’m… better, thank you. I’ll certainly feel better once I have a bit of leave.”
Anakin grinned. “Which he’s been avoiding like the plague. I don’t think he even sleeps anymore.”
“Death has a way of rearranging one’s priorities,” Obi-Wan murmured softly, frowning. “If you’ll excuse us, Senator, Duchess, we must be going.”
He sensed her words a few seconds before they left her mouth.
“Obi-Wan, wait.” There was a desparation in her voice that Korkie hadn’t heard in years. Desparation that echoed with a sadness that seemed to roll off of her in waves.
The Jedi hesitated for a single second. Then, with a small smile, he bowed again. “Take care of yourself, Satine.”
He thought she was going to break, but she didn’t. Instead, she drew herself together and forced an understanding, if pained, smile. “Don’t die this time, if you please.”
A moment of mutual understanding passed between the two before Kenobi turned to climb into his starfighter. “Come, Anakin, we were supposed to be halfway to the rendezvous point by now.”
“Yes, Master.” The younger Jedi offered them a salute before dramatically flipping into his cockpit. “See ya, Padmé, threepio. Ready, artoo?”
The blue droid trilled a response as he settled in his spot, prompting a grin from Anakin, and a shake of the head from Obi-Wan. Before he knew it, the fighters hummed to life, and his aunt was pulling him back. A small but enthusiastic wave from Skywalker, and the tiny ships were lifting off of the landing pad and speeding off into the busy world of Coruscant.
The Senator and his aunt both sighed gently and turned to walk back in the direction of where the speeder was waiting, but Korkie stood there for a few more moments, straining to catch the last glimpse of the Jedi duo.
Kenobi and Skywalker. The Negotiator and the Hero with no Fear. Considered by most to be two of the best Jedi in the galaxy. Anakin Skywalker alone was widely considered to be the best Jedi, if the media were to be believed. But even though Korkie had little doubt that it was true, it had been the Master who had caught his attention.
Obi-Wan Kenobi. Even from the short time he had met the man, he instinctually knew this would not be the last he saw of the Jedi.