Jedi Artisan 021

Finishing up his musical, Zane's Jedi robe was soaked through, but he couldn't be prouder. Several hours had passed, dusk was on the horizon, and both Oogway & Yoda had entered a deep sleep/meditation. 

The Uneti tree swayed peacefully with an unseen wind, and the Force flowed gracefully throughout the courtyard. Two of the Lightside's favorite champions brought a steady calm to the scene, where despite their age, everything felt right in the universe. As if so long as they drew breath, not even the likes of Plagueis or Sidious could threaten the Order so long as they held down the fort. 

Despite his exhaustion from playing such a lengthy musical, Zane was pleased with the result. Reaching a hand out to grab some tea, and quench his thirst, he was startled when both Yoda & Oogway snapped their eyes open. Like a pair of haunted dolls, their eyes were glossy, and their ancient limbs snapped. Creaking forward, the duo shared a mischievous grin-at least, that was how Zane chose to interpret the shared look-and simultaneously, they reached out to strike at him. Twin Force enhanced sticks flew via telekinesis. 

Zane rolled his eyes, this wasn't his first rodeo. Holding out his hand, a loose branch from the Uteni tree willingly fell into his palm. The ancient semi-conscious Force Sensitive organism imbued a portion of its will into the branch, giving it some heft within the Force. 

Striking at the incoming attacks, he demonstrated his skills. After beating back the pair of sticks-and accruing a few bruises along the way-Zane finally reached his tea, and took a sip. As soon as the tea touched his lips, the masters let up with their attacks. 

This level of bullying in the name of training had been a nearly daily occurrence when he was a Padawan. At first, he couldn't believe the wise old turtle everyone loved could be so ruthless. When one day, Yoda was passing by, Zane had thought the Grandmaster would save him…how wrong he was! The green goblin joined in the fun! Ever since then, it had practically been on site! 

As a result, Zane didn't particularly think of himself as a very strong lightsaber combatant. But give him a Force enhanced weapon, and you could say he learned from the best. 

“Impressive, he is, you think not?” Yoda suddenly said towards a figure behind him. 

“Hmm, yes, most impressive. Obi spoke quite highly of him, I can see why.” A calm voice nearby replied. 

Turning around, Zane saw a bearded 30-something year old Qui-Gon Jinn. 

“Dooku's student. I haven't seen you since…” Oogway said, squinting his eyes. 

“Since the Kashyyyk fernerl fruit affair.” Qui-Gon calmly replied, although a hint of a blush seemed to color through his beard. 

“Mm, yes. Good relations with the Wookiees, I have. Lost several friends to that mission I did.” Yoda said in a wispy tone as he looked out to the horizon. 

“Fernerl fruit, Master?” Obi-Wan peaked his head out from behind his teacher, and bowed to everyone present, strict and proper as can be. “Masters, Knight Zane.” 

Qui-Gon sighed, rubbing the bridge of his huge nose. “I'll tell you when you're readee-”

“I remember now. The birthrate skyrocketed, the hormonal young males took to warring over mating rites. Several jungles became over hunted, and many males perished pursuing trophies to win the females over.” Oogway smacked his lips, and slowly exclaimed, like a man who only half believed the memories were real. 

Zane: “...” 

“Ahem, it appears a meeting was setup for some purpose? Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi, is there some help a Jedi Artisan can aid you two with?” Zane asked, coughing into his hand, and giving Qui-Gon a business smile that all but said screw off! 

“Thank you for asking, Knight Zane. We very much need your help.” Obi-Wan enthusiastically failed to catch Zane's sarcasm, and happily accepted his offer for help. 

“Quite right, Obi-Wan.” Qui-Gon smugly smiled at his student, then arched an eyebrow at Zane amusedly. “We have a mission to Mandalore, and I have requested Master Yoda for some assistance to help us procure a gift for the occasion. He recommended you.” 

Zane turned to the little gremlin with a betrayed look. My Togruta maid, my workshop, my SLEEP. whyyyyyy!!!

“Mm, good relations with the Wookiees, I have.” Yoda muttered, feigning a groggy state. “Hm-mm?! Ah, gift traditional Mandalorian garb we ask of you, Zane. Only can you do this. None other, I trust.” 

The small green man hobbled up to him, and lovingly placed a hand on his kneecap, looking up at him with those big eyes. 

Zane rolled his eyes and sighed. Why'd he have to have a soft spot for this troublesome old man? Leaning down onto one knee, he lightly bonked Yoda with the Uneti branch, and grinned. “You owe me old man.” He lovingly whispered. 

“Hmph. Stuck in that workshop all day. Think I not know what you do in there? Cover for you all the time I do.” Yoda whispered back, jabbing him in the ribs with the pointy end of his stick. 

Zane wheezed, and watched on as Oogway hummed the song played on the harp walking away. The pair of best friends soon disappeared going in different directions. 

“Welcome aboard.” Qui-Gon warmly said, holding his hand out to help Zane up. 

“When do we depart?” Zane asked with a yawn. 

“Tomorrow at dawn. Meet me at the Temple hangars.” Qui-Gon succinctly said. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. Mandalore is on the verge of civil war, and our mission is one of protection. You should only be necessary for several days as you take their measurements, and present an adequate gift.” 

“Riight. Mandalore, huh?” Zane said, directing a cheesy grin towards Obi-Wan knowing that this lovestruck fool would find his ladylove during this mission. 

Qui-Gon frowned, standing in front of his student. “I do not know what games you are playing, but Obi-Wan is my student now.” The bearded man said in a hushed, deep voice. 

Zane raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by Qui-Gon's protectiveness. His impression of the man was one who was somewhat taciturn, a little playful, willing to break the rules for the greater good, and even willing to cheat if it meant furthering his goals. A little threat like this…was kind of in character for him if he summed all those things up. That said…Qui-Gon just promoted to Jedi Master, and Zane was kind of a prodigy. He wasn't scared. 

Leaning in close, Zane cupped his hand to whisper. “You dragged me into this mission, and want to cut off my only source of entertainment? Why, Master Jinn, you should have studied my file~” 

Before the Jedi Master could respond, Zane strolled past him, and gave the blue eyed shortie a wink. As if to say more ‘secret’ missions would be on the horizon. 

Bypassing the slowly dissatisfied Master, he beelined back to his quarters. When he opened the door, eager to abuse-ahem-educate his sexy girlfriend in the ways of the french maid, he saw that she was slumped over on a chair in a deep sleep. Her posture looked incredibly uncomfortable, and Zane felt his heartstrings tug. Lifting her up with the Force, he tucked her in, then silently departed from the room. 

As soon as the door closed, Shaak Ti snapped her eyes open, and stared at the door. She didn't know what she was thinking. Disappointment that he didn't make a move? Or was it relief that he was level headed enough to contain himself? Biting her lip, she ultimately decided this was a good thing. That for their relationship to go further, they needed to test their boundaries. She wouldn't be easy to take!...but maybe…no, Shaak Ti, get it together! Don't fall for his evil whispers, DO NOT IMAGINE WHAT HE CAN DO WITH THOSE HANDS. Those magical, diabolical, perfect hands. 

Whilst Shaak Ti was squirming alone in Zane's bed, the Jedi Artisan decided he would sleep on the flight to Mandalore instead, and began to aimlessly wander the halls. 

Grumbling to himself that his cushy job wasn't so cushy, he eventually entered his workshop. Aka, the glorified laundromat he claimed as his. Frowning to himself, he sensed something was off. Slowing his step, and halting his breath, Zane pulled all his pheromones & scent tight against his skin as Master Oogway had taught him. The subtle sound of a drawer gently being opened tickled his ears, making Zane wonder what kind of thief would dare spelunk this deep within the Jedi Temple. 

There were very few existences that would have both the courage & skill to make it this far. Whoever it was, they could be deadly. Even with his senses, he barely made out that they were…a Force Adept! 

Narrowing his eyes, Zane's focus intensified. After that little run in with Damask Holdings, perhaps Plagueis had sent an assassin after him? Afterall, the production of specially crafted, Force attuned objects was a rare ability in the current era. Who was to say the asshole mad scientist didn't want to off him, and nip the problem in the bud?! 

Ideas going wild, he clenched the Uneti branch firmly in his hands, ready to clobber this potential Dark Acolyte into a bloody smear! Catching the shadowy form of a short figure up ahead, he ran forward with a powerful Force Speed, intent on ending it in one blow. 

Just as he was going to hit the assassin on the back of the head, a purple lightsaber ignited within the gloom of his workshop, and a pale faced man with one robotic eye met him head on. The amethyst blade was sinister, striking at his wrists with every turn. 

Zane recognized this tricky blade work as Form VII, one of the most favored styles of the Sith! Meeting the beam of plasma with his Force coated weapon, he held no fear in his heart. Steady like the trunk, quick like the whiplash of a branch in the wind, movements soft like the floating petal, and endurance like the nourishment of the Uteni's fruit, Master Oogway had taught him a fighting style unique to the long lost class, the Jedi Mystic! 

Pulling back from a sinister feint, and deflecting an all too close stab to the chest, Zane lured his assailant away from the center, closer to the main hall where Sentinels patrolled. However, this was nothing but a ploy of his own! To make his attacker unconfident, and retreat. Then, whilst his back was turned, Zane would unleash a little surprise!...except the purple blade advanced ruthlessly, uncaring about his plan! 

Jumping over a strike, parrying one behind his back, the blocking left, right, left, right, up, right, diagonal right, shin in quick succession, he was on the ropes! Several times, Zane nearly clipped his foe, only to send chunks of masonry flying when he missed. Many pot holes littered the ground, and the sound of their clash eventually drew the attention of several yellow lightsaber wielding, masked Jedi Sentinels. 

As reinforcements approached, Zane raised his staff high. “You. Shall. Not. PASSSSSS!!!”

Slamming the Force enhanced branch-staff onto the ground, an impressive flashbang + push combo sent a shockwave at his opponent, sending him flying into a nearby pillar with a satisfying crunch. 

Breathing heavily, Zane felt like he had almost lost his life several times, and had spent a great deal of energy overpowering that strange man. “Sentinels, take this man into custody, this Dark Adept attempted to assassinate me within my workshop.” 

Four masked Sentinels warily approached. The man who had fallen was already on his feet, a calculating look was in his eyes. He especially paid special attention to Zane, then without warning, he melded into the shadows, disappearing from sight. 

“The Watchmen watch the watchers. Do not become complacent in your task, Sentinels.” The voice rasped, seemingly pausing the guards in place as they found him to be familiar? “Do not disappoint me, Quinlan.” The man said with finality, before his aura fully disappeared. 

Stepping outside of the disheveled workshop was an embarrassed-looking Quinlan Vos. The young Kiffar soon lost his embarrassment, then bowed towards everyone present. “Apologies, gentlemen. Official Watchmen training.” He then began to walk by, to which the Sentinels stood in place, neither dodging, nor stopping Quinlan, seemingly not knowing what to do. 

Zane, upon seeing this, was having none of it. 

“Oi, little one. So you're under a Jedi Watchman, right? It just so happens, that that places you under the control of the Council of First Knowledge.” 

“...” Quinlan maintained his nonchalant look as he kept walking away, but his pace increased. 

“My Master is the Caretaker of First Knowledge, and I am his heir apparent. In a roundabout way…I'm your boss. Return to my workshop, I insist.” 

The kid stopped in place. “...Official Watchmen business-” 

Zane placed his Uteni branch on the brat's shoulder, and increased its weight with but a thought. The tough piece of wood had the kid grit his teeth, yet he refused to go to his knees. 

“Hoh oh, a cheeky brat, huh? Just the kind that lacks discipline.” Zane chuckled, not at all deterred. 

No, in fact, he was doing everything in his power NOT to rub his hands together like some 2-bit villain. After receiving abuse from his elders, it was only fitting that he pass the tradition down! 

“Kid. I think we're going to get along just fiine. I look forward to our working relationship.”