thefinaljedi | Appointments

That is a natural reaction to what happened, Obi-Wan. When we're hurt that deeply, we get angry. Were you not in pain, then you'd be something entirely unlike other men. A stone.

[It proves you're human]

The Jedi of my time are probably not quite the paragons of self control that yours were. I admit, many of us do channel our anger towards constructive ends, much like Master Windu did in yours.

"Master Windu is..."

[He sighs.]

"Was an exemplary master of self-control and discipline. It is why he could channel emotion as he did without being corrupted- most who attempted to emulate his techniques could not master them, for fear of the darkness they would unleash.

I am not Master Windu."

Perhaps, then, its time for you to try and be more like him.

[Luke smiles softly]

Obi-Wan, you and I have never spoken overmuch of philosophy. Now may be the time for us to do so.

Have you ever heard of the idea of The Unifying Force?

"... I am... familiar with it."

[Well, that certainly is a nagging sense of foreboding he's feeling right now.]

Perhaps you could tell me, what do you know of it?

[Obi-Wan's voice...does not bode well here]

"I am not a scholar of the philosophy, but as far as I am aware, it refers to the idea that there is no aspect of the Force that is inherently affiliated with the Light or the Dark Side. That one's effect on the Force on the whole is dependent upon application and context, rather than the action itself."

[He tries to keep the wariness out of his voice. There was nothing inherently dangerous in the philosophy, but it did... trouble him, at times.]

Correct. It is also not uncommon for followers of that philosophy to not stifle their emotions as a follower of the Living Force might. Not out of a desire for power, as a Sith might. There is only The Force, and it does not differentiate between those using it for for one end or another. And that absolute control is beyond the means of any being. Passion and attachment are not inherently dangerous.

[A thoughtful rub of his chin]

If it was not clear, I've begun studying the Unifying Force at home. I find its views to be most intriguing. Perhaps you could find some wisdom in its ways as well, Obi-Wan. Being emotional is not a bad thing. Master Windu was proof of that.

"Attachment leads to the fear of loss. Fear leads to anger, anger to hate, and hate to suffering. I'm certain Master Yoda has told you all of this."

[Master Windu struggled with the darkness his emotions brought, and it was a struggle few others could succeed at. He was not Master Windu. He had already let pain and grief fuel him too often, allowed his emotions to interfere too much.]

"And I should think you of all people should know the risk of passion. It is the reason your father could be twisted from a noble, compassionate Jedi Knight into the man who calmly watched his subordinates reduce an entire civilized world and all those upon it to rubble."

Attachments are also a source of strength. It isn't out of passion that we seek attachments, it is out of a desire to not feel so alone. Obi-Wan, I know full well the risks of passion, and of learning to maintain control. Better than you may realize, even. But I don't let that unsettle me. Fear of emotion and fear of losing control is still fear.

[Obi-Wan was so stubborn sometimes. What had turned into offering to share some insight now felt like a lecture...]

You've seen my past. Without attachments, the Jedi would be nothing more than a distant memory, and I and everything I hold dear would be dead. Leia, Han, Chewie, Lando, Wedge and the rest? They are my attachments, and they are the legs that I stand on much of the time.

You are afraid of losing control and lashing out, are you not?

"I... spoke to Rei Hino yesterday. The Shinto priestess. There was a vision."

[He frowns again, troubled.]

"The vision itself was... disturbing, to say the least. But what truly disturbed me was not that. It was..."

[He pauses, as if he doesn't wish to continue, but he does anyway.]

"I felt... hatred. Burning, twisting beyond my control. The vision was not of me, but whatever it shows me, it will unbalance me. Possibly beyond my ability to control."

[This priestess again? Adele had seen something equally disturbing. Could there be a link? The girl he'd never met, but he knew from Ami that Rei was a gifted girl, and he assumed she was another of those mysterious soldiers]

Visions can often twist our perception of reality, you know. If we are granted visions in the Force, as many Jedi occasionally are, and dwell to much on them, that is the root cause of many acts of great horror. Don't let yourself fear what may be. Instead, work for a better tomorrow with everything you have. That is one of the first tenants of the Unifying Force as was explained to me.

I have faith that you'll be able to control yourself in a manner appropriate to the situation, Obi-Wan.

"... I appreciate the faith you have in me, Luke. I only hope that I do not disappoint you- I am not at my best at the moment, emotionally."

I understand that, which is why I'm offering you an alternative point of view. Don't view it as an instability. Think of it more as a chance to experience something from a new perspective.

[He considers it for a moment, then finally seems to relax.]

"I shall think on what you said, Luke. Thank you."

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