Chapter Text
Ingste wasn't paying attention. She really should have been, she knew that, but she was too lost in thought to listen to Chancellor Palpatine talking to the members of the Jedi Council.
She stood in the red-walled office at the heart of the senate building, but instead of joining in the conversation, Ingste was staring out the window. She found herself watching the speeders fly past the massive window. The little sleep she had gotten over the past week made it increasingly difficult to focus on much of anything.
"No!" exclaimed the Chancellor, startling Ingste from her thoughts. "I will not let this Republic that has stood for a thousand years be split in two- my negotiations will not fail!"
"But if they do, you must realize that there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic," Mace Windu replied, sitting in front of Ingste. "We are keepers of peace, not soldiers."
Ingste was lost on the subject, she had been opposed to the recent shift in the Jedi's responsibilities. Verbalizing her opposition to her new role would do nothing but make things difficult. More difficulties were the last thing she needed, not with her recent rise of unease.
The Chancellor turned to Master Yoda. "Do you think it will come to war?"
Master Yoda closed his eyes. "Hmm, the dark side clouds everything," he said quietly, shaking his little green head. "Impossible to see, the future is."
Ingste let out a soft sigh as she continued to stare out the window. She hoped that all of this would soon be over. The only thing that occupied her mind was the thought of her bed back in her room, calling her name.
A hologram appeared on the Chancellor's desk, making Ingste look up. "The loyalist committee has arrived, Your Honor," said the man in Huttese, one of the few languages Ingste bothered to learn.
"Good," said Chancellor Palpatine. "Send them in. We will discuss this matter later."
All the sitting Jedi Masters now stood up at the same time, except for Mace Windu, who sat in his chair thinking. His unease never escaped her.
The door opened, and a group of people flooded in, led by Senator Padme Amidala and Jar Jar Binks.
As Master Yoda expressed his happiness on seeing the Senator alive, Ingste leaned over the chair in front of her, "Master, is everything alright?"
"I fear something far worse than war is coming," replied the man, now standing up. "But we have other things to worry about at the moment." With that, he went to join the conversation positioned around Naboo's Senator, leaving Ingste with more than just her bed to think about. Her worries were easy for her to push down, but if her old master had similar worries. It didn't sit well with her.
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo," Master Windu said in response to Senator Amidala's inquiry.
"I think that Count Dooku was behind it," Padme said, and a murmur circled the room.
"He is a political idealist, not a murderer," Ki-Adi-Mundi said next to Ingste, his tone suggesting that the young senator's belief was impossible.
"You know, M'lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his character." Mace said.
"But, for certain Senator," Master Yoda said in his comforting tone. "In grave danger, you are."
"Master Jedi, may I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces?" Palpatine said from his place by the window, turning away from the view of the city-planet and resting his gaze on the Senator.
"Do you think it is a wise decision under these stressful times?" Senator Organa questioned Palpatine.
"Chancellor, if I may comment, I don't believe the-" Padme began to protest.
"-the situation is that serious.' No, but I do, Senator." Palpatine finished her sentence, walking away from the window. "I realize all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone similar in independence to respect your needs...Like Miss Valanas."
Ingste cleared her throat to speak up, but Palpatine cut her off, "But Miss Valanas will have some assistance from an old friend," He said, now addressing the Jedi. "Master Kenobi. So that Senator Amidala will have a familiar face and you can learn a thing or two from Master Kenobi."
Ingste tensed at the direct orders. She would have rathered it be anyone else with her on this mission. Their last real interaction had been more than ten years ago now, during a simple spar. Things had gotten too heated, she made a snide remark, and single-handedly reignited their stupid rivalry.
Kenobi's reckless Padawan would most likely join him on this very important mission. Ingste would surely have her hands full with this one. Mace held them in high regard, he gave her a nod of approval. Mace had always found a good excuse to use Kenobi as a standard of what Ingste should strive to be, but she tried to brush it off over the years. What could she learn from him anyway?
She just hoped that Kenobi could keep his padawan on a tight leash.
"That's possible. He has just returned from a border dispute on Ansion," Windu said, causing a pleasing look to cross Palpatine's face.
"Do it for me, M'lady, please," the old man said, looking at Padme with deep concern. "The thought of losing you is...-" He seemingly searched for a word in his head "-unbearable." Padme sighed, knowing there was no arguing with the chancellor.
Master Windu approached Padme with slight elegance.
"I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, m'lady," he said.
"Thank you, Master Windu," Padme nodded thankfully.
___
The glow of the city lit up Ingste's skin as she leaned against the balcony railing. Even without greenery, the planet managed to be beautiful. She always liked the neon glow coming from the lower levels of the city. The wind tousled her white hair as she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Her mind silenced itself as she focused on her surroundings. She felt a gentle pull from behind her.
"Senator Padme," The voice of Jar Jar said, causing Ingste to open her eyes and walk into the living room. Ingste felt another tug as two Jedi walked into the room behind Jar Jar. The younger Jedi stood slightly behind his elder, his eyes never leaving Padme, as a layer of sweat covered his face.
Then her eyes found the man who stood in front of him. The older man had long hair, its color was on the line of brown and blonde, the sunlight streaming through the large windows and onto his face. Kenobi had certainly aged well.
"Lookie lookie, thesa Jedi are here," Jar Jar said. Padme moved past Ingste. When she made it in front of them, Kenobi bowed to her, while his padawan simply gawked at her.
"It has been far too long, Master Kenobi," Padme said and glanced at the boy behind Obi-Wan. "Ani?" She asked in shock, looking the boy up and down."My goodness, you've grown."
"So have you... grown more beautiful, I mean... well, for a Senator, I mean." The young boy stammered, Ingste felt a slight pang of second-hand embarrassment at the boy's obvious infatuation with the senator. Obi-Wan looked disapprovingly at his apprentice while Ingste cringed.
'and give up individual attachments in order to focus entirely on greater concerns.' A monotone voice came from the back of Ingste's head.
Padme then remembered the Jedi behind her and motioned toward Ingste. With that, she stepped toward the others.
"I'm sure you two have made the acquaintance of Master Jedi Valanas?" The Senator said.
Ingste's face went warm, she never did get used to people outside of the Jedi order addressing all Jedi as Master.
"Not in a while," Obi-Wan said, talking for both of them. He gave her a slight bow of the head in greeting, keeping his eyes locked on her.
"It's good to see you again," She said diplomatically, maintaining eye contact. Eye contact was important to Ingste; Master Windu always stressed it. As they held eye contact, Ingste studied his washed-out shade of blue that was almost grey. She'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit he had come together quite well.
The group unanimously decided to go sit down, Ingste took her place beside the senator on the sofa. The Senator's handmaiden, Dorme, sat on the other side of her.
"Our presence here will be invisible, M'Lady, I can assure you," Obi-Wan informed Padme as he took the seat across from Ingste.
Captain Typho chose this moment to step forward. "I am Captain Typho of Her Majesty's security service," the eye-patch-wearing man introduced himself, choosing to stand rather than sit. "Queen Jamillia has been informed of your assignment. I am grateful you are here, Master Kenobi."
"I don't need more security, I need answers," Padme cut in, "I want to know who is trying to kill me."
"We're here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation," Obi-Wan said, seemingly exhausted.
"We will find out who is trying to kill you, Padme, I promise you," Anakin said, ignoring his master. When Obi-Wan glared at him, Anakin bit his lip in frustration, and with that, Ingste figured that he often spoke out of turn.
"We are not going to exceed our orders, my young Padawan," Obi-Wan said in a stern voice.
"I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master," Anakin said, attempting to defend his words.
"We are not going through this again, Anakin. You will pay attention to my lead," Obi-Wan said. Ingste grew increasingly uncomfortable as she watched the exchange. Padme briefly made eye contact with Ingste, the two women quietly expressing their discomfort.
"Why?" Anakin asked, sounding like a resentful child. Ingste had learned very early on as a Padawan to never challenge her Master's orders, yet Anakin was countering everything Obi-Wan said.
"What?" Obi-Wan said incredulously.
"Why else do you think we were assigned to her, if not to find the killer?" Anakin asked. "Protection is a job for local security... not Jedi. It's overkill, Master. An investigation is implied in our mandate."
"We will do as the Council has instructed, and you will learn your place, young one," Obi-Wan said.
Before Anakin could argue back, Padme closed the conversation, sparing everyone from further discomfort. "Perhaps with just your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed," She said, "Now if you will excuse me, I will retire."
Everyone stood, bowing to the Senator as she and her handmaiden left the room to get Padme ready for the night. Captain Typho left the suite as well, leaving the Jedi and Jar Jar alone.
Ingste found herself standing awkwardly as she watched Jar Jar greet Anakin, "Mesa bustin' wit happiness seein yousa again, Ani!" The gungan said, bringing him into a tight, over-excited hug.
Ingste looked over to Obi-Wan, who was now standing next to her. She felt the need to speak to him, "I heard about Qui Gon, I never got the chance to give my condolences" Ingste said suddenly, drawing the man's attention away from the reunion in front of him. He looked down at her and with her odd start to the conversation, she met his eyes. "Qui Gon was wise and respected, the galaxy lost an incredible man that day."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan seemed almost taken aback by the woman's kind words. In their youth, she was always teasing and provoking him. She had changed since then. "Shall we.." He trailed off, gesturing towards the balcony. Ingste nodded and followed him.
When they stepped out into the crisp night air, Ingste leaned forward on the wall that kept them from falling into the mass of traffic below.
"Qui Gon was killed by a Sith Lord in front of me," Obi-Wan said, as he walked up to the edge. His face revealed no emotion as he watched the dozens of speeders that glided by. "I couldn't help my master when he needed me most."
For a moment, the two didn't speak. She still had a living master, but Obi-Wan didn't; how was she supposed to comfort him? She had never known her parents, and she was taught to keep everyone at arm's length. Her curious mind wandered, and a thought popped into her head. "What happened to the Sith Lord?" she asked as a grim expression crossed Obi-Wan's face.
"I.." he began. "I killed him."
Obi-Wan killed a Sith Lord.
Ingste cleared the lump in her throat, "The Order kept that part under wraps."
Once again, there was silence between the two. Obi-Wan kept his guilty expression plastered on his face while Ingste studied the city skyline. She looked at him with a half-empty smile, "Qui Gon taught you well, wanna know how I know that?"
He looked at her smile, "How?"
"Because you are the first Jedi to kill a Sith Lord in...-" She paused to do the math in her head, then continued "- a thousand years, I think."
Obi-Wan let out a soft chuckle at her uncertainty, "Yeah, he did do well with me." Then a thought crossed his mind and turned back to the suite, and spoke with doubt "I fear that I'm not doing a good job with my own Padawan."
Ingste turned around to face the suite, too, and she saw Anakin and Jar Jar still speaking. "I think you're doing just fine, Kenobi." She said with a reassuring smile.