[Today is too special for any kind of pretense. Qui-Gon is going to avoid the usual coy act of making Ezra work for a present or for a nugget of the old Jedi's wisdom.]
[Instead, he opens his arms (the gift bag dangling from one hand) in a happy greeting, the man's usually stoic face alight with a rare outward jubilance.]
[There it is. There's the acknowledgment. Ezra's chest swells at the plain and open joy that Qui-Gon so rarely shows - joy Ezra's inspired in him. Without missing a beat, Ezra steps into the offered hug, and never mind that his arms are so much smaller than Qui-Gon's, never mind that Qui-Gon's still a giant compared to him. He's still going to do his best to give him a strong, crushing hug, because there's no better way to express how he's feeling.
(The Lothal daisies sprouting through the floorboards absolutely don't count.)]
Thank you.
[His voice isn't thick with emotion. It's just muffled by Qui-Gon's robe in his face, that's all.]
Eighteen years old now. Heh. Watch out, I'm catching up.
[Qui-Gon returns the heart-felt hug with just as much gusto, clapping Ezra's shoulder with one of his large hands just before he lets go. He keeps his palms on the boy's upper arms, dipping his neck just enough to get a good look at the teenager (almost a full blown adult!) in front of him.]
[Regardless of Ezra's impending adulthood, Qui-Gon refrains from pointing out the totally-not-obvious showcase of Ezra's emotions. Instead, the Lothal daisies are joined by dots of purple and white as irises pop up in their midst.]
You're practically an old man.
[Qui-Gon chuckles as he holds up the bag for Ezra to take.]
I thought this birthday celebration should be a little more special than previous ones.
[Anyone else would probably think he's referring to the small bottle of wine (now that Ezra's of age...ish). Ezra, however, would probably notice something a little less conspicuous: a tiny, green, but otherwise translucent glass bead.]
[The bottle still gets met with a look of surprise, partly because it's not something he expected (even if he is old enough for it now), but partly because of what it means. A smile flickers onto his face, touched by the gesture (and maybe sheepishly amused that Qui-Gon remembered his attempts to convince him that he was old enough for this.)
Even as he opens his mouth to say something, though, his hand clutching the bag notices something else. Small and hard, definitely not fabric - Ezra's expression shifts to puzzlement as he sets the bottle aside so he can upend the bag above an open hand.
And there it is. Innocent green glints up at him, and Ezra stills as he registers what it is. Except it's still a mystery, because even though he knows what a bead is, he's never been given one before, and it doesn't dawn on him. But he knows Qui-Gon isn't one to give things without meaning. Whatever this is, it means something. Something more than even a drink for coming of age. Something flutters in his chest as he looks up at Qui-Gon.]
Master Jinn, what...?
[He doesn't know why, but he wants to hold his breath.]
[Everything about Qui-Gon tends to be shrouded in layers of riddles and coyly planned mystery. But Ezra’s right: he doesn’t give or do things without meaning. Even something as simple as the river stone that he’d given Obi-Wan for that very important thirteenth birthday turned was a gift full of emotional and practical worth.]
[But Ezra didn’t grow up among the Jedi, and the young Padawan’s training was anything but typical. Qui-Gon can understand the need for explanation.]
It’s an ornament for your Padawan braid. Something to mark how far you’ve come—both in age and wisdom.
[Despite the very real opportunity, Qui-Gon doesn’t lace his words with any hint of a joke.]
I leave it up to you if you wish to wear it or not. I won’t be offended regardless of what you decide.
[No, he hasn't grown up surrounded by all the traditions of the Jedi. The Jedi he's been around have done their best to teach him what they can, though, so while he hadn't immediately recognized the bead for what it was, the significance still hits him once Qui-Gon explains, leaving him stunned for a moment, mouth falling open. With a swallow, he closes it, emotions swelling up. The room brightens, brightens so much with colors so clear, but none of that matters. Nothing matters but this. Ezra straightens up, responding to the depth of this simple gift as though somehow he can show the maturity that Qui-Gon is acknowledging in him. Hands clasping around the bead, he bows with as much formality as he knows how.]
You've been my teacher and mentor for two years. I'd be honored to wear it.
[He straightens back up, then hesitates only for a moment before reaching for the band on his braid.
A braid from Kanan. A bead from Qui-Gon. It feels fitting to have something from both of them.]
[It seems like appreciation and acknowledgement are all the rage on Ezra’s birthday, and Qui-Gon wouldn’t have it any other way. Sure, he was being honest when he said that he wouldn’t be offended if Ezra decided against wearing a bead that didn’t come from his master—it was the boy’s right, after all—but the way his face and the flowers curling around his feet practically glow says it all: he’s overjoyed with Ezra’s decision.]
[Ezra hesitates, wanting to say that he doesn't need help, because really, he's been braiding his Padawan braid for a year now, it's not that difficult, but...
But this is new territory. So he's a little unsure.]
[Qui-Gon chuckles. It's low and gentle, completely devoid of any condescending undertones.]
Yes and no.
[Such a 'Jedi' answer...]
It should be kept neat, but there isn't a particular style you need to adopt.
I used to have Obi-Wan thread his hair a number of times around a bead to ensure it stayed in place. My own Master would have me utilize small, matching colored bands for the same effect.
[Dooku had always preferred the practical to the sentimental.]
[If he's got leeway, then he's confident that he can make something work, and since this is a mark of the milestone of adulthood, it feels like he should do it himself.
But he doesn't want Qui-Gon to feel snubbed either, so he smiles again, bright and proud.]
Thank you, Master Jinn.
[A tug frees his hair from his braid, though he doesn't unravel it all the way. He just needs to work it into the end.]
I wish... [His smile fades into something wistful.] I wish Kanan could be here for this.
[The way Ezra wilts chips away at Qui-Gon’s heart, and he reaches out to place a large hand on the boy’s shoulder.]
I do, too.
[Ezra deserves to have his Master here with him, celebrating a momentous occasion not with explosive fanfare, but with the quiet warmth that only that unique connection can provide.]
Keep this memory in your heart, Ezra. I’m sure he’ll appreciate hearing about it when the time comes.
[There's no hesitation when Ezra nods at the suggestion, as though he'd already planned to remember this forever.]
If he ever comes here again, I'll share it with him.
[No doubt Kanan would ask about the bead anyway.
Still, for a moment, he lets himself just appreciate the warmth of Qui-Gon's hand on his shoulder. As much as he misses Kanan, misses all his family, it still means so much to him to have Qui-Gon here.]
So... That cake in the kitchen... Since I'm an adult now, am I allowed to spoil my dinner?
[The question draws a wry smile to Qui-Gon's face.]
[Ezra's stubborn enough to get what he wants when he wants it. That being said, he's also grown a healthy respect when it comes to listening to his elders.]
[In fact, he's grown a lot.]
[So even as the grip on Ezra's shoulder turns into a gentle pat to shoo him towards the kitchen, Qui-Gon's smile grows a little more... wistful. Ezra's no longer the young boy with a hot temper teetering precariously between the light and the dark, yet in so many ways he still is. There's still that youthful spark and excitement for the future, but it's steadied by a maturity that Qui-Gon can only take the smallest amount of credit for.]
[It isn't that he's done well, or even that Kanan has done well (even though he's had his own, much larger, part to play)... it's that Ezra has done well. And that's the realization that makes pride swell in Qui-Gon's chest.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-01-16 07:55 pm (UTC)[Instead, he opens his arms (the gift bag dangling from one hand) in a happy greeting, the man's usually stoic face alight with a rare outward jubilance.]
Happy Birthday!
no subject
Date: 2019-01-19 06:04 pm (UTC)(The Lothal daisies sprouting through the floorboards absolutely don't count.)]
Thank you.
[His voice isn't thick with emotion. It's just muffled by Qui-Gon's robe in his face, that's all.]
Eighteen years old now. Heh. Watch out, I'm catching up.
no subject
Date: 2019-01-21 12:53 am (UTC)[Regardless of Ezra's impending adulthood, Qui-Gon refrains from pointing out the totally-not-obvious showcase of Ezra's emotions. Instead, the Lothal daisies are joined by dots of purple and white as irises pop up in their midst.]
You're practically an old man.
[Qui-Gon chuckles as he holds up the bag for Ezra to take.]
I thought this birthday celebration should be a little more special than previous ones.
[Anyone else would probably think he's referring to the small bottle of wine (now that Ezra's of age...ish). Ezra, however, would probably notice something a little less conspicuous: a tiny, green, but otherwise translucent glass bead.]
no subject
Date: 2019-01-21 03:39 am (UTC)Even as he opens his mouth to say something, though, his hand clutching the bag notices something else. Small and hard, definitely not fabric - Ezra's expression shifts to puzzlement as he sets the bottle aside so he can upend the bag above an open hand.
And there it is. Innocent green glints up at him, and Ezra stills as he registers what it is. Except it's still a mystery, because even though he knows what a bead is, he's never been given one before, and it doesn't dawn on him. But he knows Qui-Gon isn't one to give things without meaning. Whatever this is, it means something. Something more than even a drink for coming of age. Something flutters in his chest as he looks up at Qui-Gon.]
Master Jinn, what...?
[He doesn't know why, but he wants to hold his breath.]
no subject
Date: 2019-01-21 03:48 am (UTC)[But Ezra didn’t grow up among the Jedi, and the young Padawan’s training was anything but typical. Qui-Gon can understand the need for explanation.]
It’s an ornament for your Padawan braid. Something to mark how far you’ve come—both in age and wisdom.
[Despite the very real opportunity, Qui-Gon doesn’t lace his words with any hint of a joke.]
I leave it up to you if you wish to wear it or not. I won’t be offended regardless of what you decide.
no subject
Date: 2019-01-21 10:29 pm (UTC)You've been my teacher and mentor for two years. I'd be honored to wear it.
[He straightens back up, then hesitates only for a moment before reaching for the band on his braid.
A braid from Kanan. A bead from Qui-Gon. It feels fitting to have something from both of them.]
no subject
Date: 2019-01-23 08:08 pm (UTC)Do you need help?
no subject
Date: 2019-02-04 11:40 pm (UTC)But this is new territory. So he's a little unsure.]
Is there a way I'm supposed to wear it?
no subject
Date: 2019-02-06 12:12 am (UTC)Yes and no.
[Such a 'Jedi' answer...]
It should be kept neat, but there isn't a particular style you need to adopt.
I used to have Obi-Wan thread his hair a number of times around a bead to ensure it stayed in place. My own Master would have me utilize small, matching colored bands for the same effect.
[Dooku had always preferred the practical to the sentimental.]
no subject
Date: 2019-02-11 01:11 am (UTC)[If he's got leeway, then he's confident that he can make something work, and since this is a mark of the milestone of adulthood, it feels like he should do it himself.
But he doesn't want Qui-Gon to feel snubbed either, so he smiles again, bright and proud.]
Thank you, Master Jinn.
[A tug frees his hair from his braid, though he doesn't unravel it all the way. He just needs to work it into the end.]
I wish... [His smile fades into something wistful.] I wish Kanan could be here for this.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-11 04:16 pm (UTC)I do, too.
[Ezra deserves to have his Master here with him, celebrating a momentous occasion not with explosive fanfare, but with the quiet warmth that only that unique connection can provide.]
Keep this memory in your heart, Ezra. I’m sure he’ll appreciate hearing about it when the time comes.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-14 11:22 pm (UTC)If he ever comes here again, I'll share it with him.
[No doubt Kanan would ask about the bead anyway.
Still, for a moment, he lets himself just appreciate the warmth of Qui-Gon's hand on his shoulder. As much as he misses Kanan, misses all his family, it still means so much to him to have Qui-Gon here.]
So... That cake in the kitchen... Since I'm an adult now, am I allowed to spoil my dinner?
no subject
Date: 2019-02-16 07:38 pm (UTC)[Ezra's stubborn enough to get what he wants when he wants it. That being said, he's also grown a healthy respect when it comes to listening to his elders.]
[In fact, he's grown a lot.]
[So even as the grip on Ezra's shoulder turns into a gentle pat to shoo him towards the kitchen, Qui-Gon's smile grows a little more... wistful. Ezra's no longer the young boy with a hot temper teetering precariously between the light and the dark, yet in so many ways he still is. There's still that youthful spark and excitement for the future, but it's steadied by a maturity that Qui-Gon can only take the smallest amount of credit for.]
[It isn't that he's done well, or even that Kanan has done well (even though he's had his own, much larger, part to play)... it's that Ezra has done well. And that's the realization that makes pride swell in Qui-Gon's chest.]
As if I could stop you.