Archive: M&A certainly. I'd be flattered if anyone else
wants it, but please ask first, ok?
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Who does? Why George Lucas, of
course! Also kudos to Dave Wolverton and Jude Watson for the JA
universe, which I adore.
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Pumpkin for the terrific
beta, the great title, and the encouragement to try to make
this into a series!
"But, Master!" Obi-Wan leaned over and whispered, not all that
quietly, "It's just slight of hand. He's not even using the
Force!"
Qui-Gon winced as a few members of the audience seated closest
to them glanced over disapprovingly and bounced their wide-eyed
children on their knees to distract them from the skeptical
young man's outburst.
"Padawan," he admonished in a quiet growl, "Just sit and
watch, and try to enjoy yourself."
Qui-Gon didn't need to look at his apprentice to know the
expression that would be on Obi-Wan's face. The boy was
scowling, his Jedi abilities easily allowing him to track the
so-called magician's movements. Using the perceptions of the
Force made it easy for the Jedi padawan to discern that there
was no true "magic" involved. Qui-Gon knew that, at 14, Obi-Wan
would never admit to believing in magic. Nevertheless, the boy
had seemed a bit excited when he and his master had been
invited to attend the show.
Now Obi-Wan seemed profoundly disappointed, as though his
expectations had not been met. What these expectations had
been, Qui-Gon was unsure of.
The boy remained quiet throughout the rest of the show, until
finally Qui-Gon felt a jolt of surprise resonate along their
bond. The master turned to his apprentice questioningly.
"How'd he do that?" Obi-Wan whispered, his tone
incredulous.
"What?" Qui-Gon asked deliberately, although he already knew
to what the boy was referring.
"That," Obi-Wan emphasized, gesturing toward the stage
where the magician was igniting small bits of fabric and
throwing them skyward.
Mid-air, as the fabric flared and instantly disintegrated, a
small white bird would appear in its stead, taking graceful
flight.
Qui-Gon smiled at the awed look on the boy's face. In that
moment, he appeared just as young and innocent as the children
who had sat enraptured throughout the entire performance.
"That, my padawan," Qui-Gon whispered back, "is why they call
it magic."
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