Archive of Our Own

Emotions were a natural part of life, and despite the popular opinion of Jedi throughout the galaxy, they were natural to the Jedi as well. They were not immune to emotions; they experienced them as well. They are not living statutes, cold and emotionless like a simple rock. No, they feel. If anything, Korre believes, they feel too much. With the Force, it is impossible to be connected to it and not experience every emotion that exists.

The Jedi simply do not dwell on it. They do not wallow, allow themselves to drown in them, or be consumed by them. They experience them and let go. That is the teaching of the Jedi. It is healthier to do so rather than to bottle them up inside, to try and deny them completely, less to fall into temptation from the Dark Side, either from lack of compassion or being controlled by them.

Therefore, the heartache the young Twi’lek is currently feeling is only natural. She has suffered a loss. Grieving is normal. She can experience this emotion and let go. Still, it is painful in the present moment.

Ris could not have left more than ten minutes ago, and yet, it felt like an hour to her breaking heart. The news of the young Jedi Knight leaving the Order caught Korre by surprise. Of all the news she expected to hear, this was certainly not it. She knows such a decision has not come lightly to her friend, however, and she must hold fast to the belief that the Force is guiding her elsewhere. That is where Korre finds her comfort, even among her tears. The Force is still with Ris, it will protect Ris and guide her even outside the Temple walls.

Still, she cannot say that she will not miss her friend all the same. It is only when another approaches that interrupt her thoughts and tears.

“Korre, what is the matter?” Obi-Wan asked with a slight, worried frown, concerned.

“Oh, Kenobi,” Korre greeted him, wiping her eyes and taking a calming breath before lowering her hands to see him. She bowed her head slightly in greeting, weakly smiling at him. “I will be alright. I’m just missing Ris. It was so sad to see her leave.”

However, her friend’s laughter only confused Korre. She would have expected out of everyone here at the Temple, Obi-Wan would miss their comrade the most. “Don’t fret,” he began, “The diplomatic missions Ris and Master Coul go on never take too long.” He grinned, thinking that would reassure her. “She’ll be back and making sweet-sand cookies for your younglings before you know it.”

“Diplo—No. She’s not…” Her voice trailed off as realization hit her. “Obi-Wan, Ris hasn’t left for a mission. She’s leaving the Order,” she gently explained. “You…didn’t know?”

His blue eyes widened in shock. “What? What do you mean she’s leaving the Order??” Obi-Wan demanded, his voice growing much louder so quickly, a twinge of panic to his tone.

What could have happened? Ris was the most rule-abiding Padawan and Knight the Temple probably ever had! What could she have done to be forced to leave the Jedi Order? The very thought that she would have voluntarily resigned from the Order, so soon after being promoted to a Jedi Knight, did not even cross his mind.

“I do not know. She did not tell me what prompted her to leave, only that she felt it was what she must do. Master Coul is returning her back to her family’s home back on Naboo today,” Korre explained calmly. She felt guilty breaking the news to Obi-Wan this way. Ever since they were crechemates, Obi-Wan and Ris shared a close bond. Why hadn’t Ris told him? Perhaps she could not find him, but still, it seemed so unlike her friend not to personally tell Obi-Wan she resigned.

“What prompted–she’s choosing to leave?” Obi-Wan sputtered, almost stammering.

The green Twi’lek nodded, a slight frown tugging at her lips. “That is my understanding, yes,” she confirmed. She did not need to sense through the Force to know her friend was hurt, upset. No, the intense emotion radiated from Obi-Wan like steam.

“Where is she?”

“She told me goodbye just before you came. I believe she might–”

However, Korre did not get a chance to finish answering his question before Obi-Wan was running out towards the landing pad. She hoped he wasn’t too late…

A hope which was dashed when Obi-Wan sulkily returned not even ten minutes later.

Disappointment, sadness, confusion, and anger burned brightly off his aura as he walked past her. Korre’s heart now ached for him as well. As much as she cherished her own friendship with Ris, she knew Obi-Wan hurt even worse. “Kenobi!” she called after him, and he stopped, turning to look back as she crossed over to him and hugged him. “I’m sorry,” she murmured quietly, not able vocally expressed the depth of her concern but communicating it through the Force.

Obi-Wan at first tensed from the sudden embrace, too wrapped up inside his own head to fully appreciate or welcome the gesture, but he quickly relaxed. There was a comfort in his friend’s arms, a deep sense of understanding and empathy that, while it did not extinguish the flurry of emotions he felt right now, it did help to temper the pain. He hugged her back, perhaps a little too tightly. “Me, too,” he mumbled. “Me, too.”