ext_15150 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
malabud.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2009-05-31 06:51 pm
malabud.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2009-05-31 06:51 pm
Xanatos: Detached by ardavenport (PG)
Fandom: STAR WARS PT/EU
Pairing: Gen
Length: 16,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Websites: ardavenport's FFN Profile
Why this must be read:
I knew that I wanted to recommend a story by ardavenport. The problem is, which one? This author is particularly excellent as well as highly prolific. She has 83 stories on Fanfiction.net, with more being added on a regular basis. What is even more surprising is that all of her stories are wonderful and unique creations. Each has an amusing or surprising (sometimes both) twist on the Galaxy Far, Far Away. When reading ardavenport's stories, the reader is always aware just how alien the galaxy is. She focuses on the Jedi, usually Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and explores their day-to-day activities, their missions, and their way of life.
This particular fic was just recently posted on FFN, and I knew immediately after reading it that it would be my recommendation. (If I had my druthers, I would recommend ten or more of ardavenport's fics, but alas, I have run out of month in which to do so.) For those unfamiliar with the character Xanatos, he was Qui-Gon Jinn's first padawan who fell to the Dark Side. I myself do not know more than that, not having read the Jedi Apprentice series of books.
This story tells of a Xanatos who did not fall, but he did have a humbling experience that changed him dramatically. Now he is contemplating choosing a padawan for himself. The interplay between young Obi-Wan and a young bully by the name of Bruck Chun parallels Xanatos's backstory and the reasons why he chooses the padawan he does. The story explores the Jedi way of detachment, and how Xanatos finally achieves that ideal.
While Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are only secondary characters in this fic, their presence is absolutely essential to Xanatos's journey. Both of them are in character. I can easily imagine a young Obi-Wan acting just the way he is depicted here. Yoda and Dooku make appearances as well, and are also true to themselves.
Thoughtful, compelling, and insightful all at once, this is an excellent story. It sucks you in and you really get to know Xanatos, or at least ardavenport's version of him. You will not be disappointed. Highly recommended.
* * *
"Ready for another round?" Bruck asked.
Obi-Wan looked at the empty corridor. Yoda was gone. No one would see if he gave Bruck the beating he deserved. Bruck was often cruel, but usually not so brazen. He was deliberately provoking Obi-Wan, trying to get him to lose his temper.
But why? Obi-Wan wondered.
Of course! "You knew all along that Qui-Gon was coming to search for a Padawan, didn't you," Obi-Wan said slowly as the suspicion hardened into certainty. Since Obi-Wan was the oldest apprentice in the Temple, the Jedi Masters would encourage Qui-Gon to take him -- the lost cause. Bruck would not want that to happen.
Bruck laughed. "I made sure you didn't find out. If I'd had my way, you wouldn't have found out until he'd left."
Two cloaked figures watched the confrontation between the two boys from a shadowed alcove of the training room. They both saw the play of expressions on Obi-Wan Kenobi's face, so readable, even without the Force. Surprise, hurt, determination, contempt for Bruck Chun and finally a false casualness that disguised none of the fear that both watchers sensed.
Obi-Wan smiled. "Bruck, three months from now, when you turn thirteen, I hope you'll make a great farmer."
Bruck leaped with a snarl, lightsaber held high. Obi-Wan spun to meet him with a cry on his lips. Flashing blades clashed in a burst of light and buzzing sound as the boys met in the room's center.
The shorter of the two watchers shook his head, concealed under the hood of dusty brown Jedi robe.
"That was... really pathetic," he commented, his voice low, though it was doubtful that the two furiously fighting boys would hear either of them.
"Which one?" his taller companion asked.
"Both," he answered. "Kenobi is the most pretentious little wannabe Jedi I've ever seen. And Chun thinks that power comes from taking it from sad cases like Kenobi. I at least had a lot more style and forethought when I did it. Younger than he is, too."
The other person shrugged his shoulders. "Chun is a mere bully. But Kenobi has real strength underneath all that insecurity." The hooded face looked toward the brawling, angry boys in the training area. They pounded each other with sweaty grunts and inarticulate fury. The Force draining away from their unfocused rage, they were both tiring quickly.
"Oh, no," the smaller watcher said.
The taller figure tore his eyes away from the fight.
"You're going to take Kenobi, aren't you?"
"I haven't said anything," the tall one denied.
"You don't have to," the shorter one accused. "You've got that look on your face, like when you put your arm around a slobbering vagrant and give her my robe to keep warm."
"I only did that once. And that was years ago."
"It took years for me to get the smell out," the shorter one complained before turning back to the fight. The boys were stumbling with exhaustion, striking with single, poorly aimed blows, driven by anger and little else. "So, this is my successor? If he really means to go after Chun, then he could turn that saber up. Take off a few limbs maybe. But I don't think he's even thought of that."
"No." The bearded face under the hood smiled. "There is no real darkness in his fear and anger. Just impetuousness."
"Aaaaaah, that is your speciality," the shorter figure agreed and then watched until the two boys exhausted each other, finally stumbling away to separate exits. "I suppose I am to salvage the other one."
"Only if you feel it is right."
There was a long sigh. "I suppose it is. I know what he is thinking."
"Really?"
"Yes." The shorter one answered definitively. "Chun knows that if he cut off Kenobi's arms everyone would know that he did it. That's the only thing stopping him."
"Hmmmm, the boy is that cruel?"
"No crueler than I was. Not nearly as smart as me, but smart enough. I suppose."
"Then you will have years to feel superior to him. If you will have him."
"Only if he will have me," the shorter one almost whispered.
The bearded, hooded face looked down at his companion with concern, but nothing more was said. The two watchers silently left their alcove.
Xanatos: Detached
Pairing: Gen
Length: 16,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Websites: ardavenport's FFN Profile
Why this must be read:
I knew that I wanted to recommend a story by ardavenport. The problem is, which one? This author is particularly excellent as well as highly prolific. She has 83 stories on Fanfiction.net, with more being added on a regular basis. What is even more surprising is that all of her stories are wonderful and unique creations. Each has an amusing or surprising (sometimes both) twist on the Galaxy Far, Far Away. When reading ardavenport's stories, the reader is always aware just how alien the galaxy is. She focuses on the Jedi, usually Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and explores their day-to-day activities, their missions, and their way of life.
This particular fic was just recently posted on FFN, and I knew immediately after reading it that it would be my recommendation. (If I had my druthers, I would recommend ten or more of ardavenport's fics, but alas, I have run out of month in which to do so.) For those unfamiliar with the character Xanatos, he was Qui-Gon Jinn's first padawan who fell to the Dark Side. I myself do not know more than that, not having read the Jedi Apprentice series of books.
This story tells of a Xanatos who did not fall, but he did have a humbling experience that changed him dramatically. Now he is contemplating choosing a padawan for himself. The interplay between young Obi-Wan and a young bully by the name of Bruck Chun parallels Xanatos's backstory and the reasons why he chooses the padawan he does. The story explores the Jedi way of detachment, and how Xanatos finally achieves that ideal.
While Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are only secondary characters in this fic, their presence is absolutely essential to Xanatos's journey. Both of them are in character. I can easily imagine a young Obi-Wan acting just the way he is depicted here. Yoda and Dooku make appearances as well, and are also true to themselves.
Thoughtful, compelling, and insightful all at once, this is an excellent story. It sucks you in and you really get to know Xanatos, or at least ardavenport's version of him. You will not be disappointed. Highly recommended.
* * *
"Ready for another round?" Bruck asked.
Obi-Wan looked at the empty corridor. Yoda was gone. No one would see if he gave Bruck the beating he deserved. Bruck was often cruel, but usually not so brazen. He was deliberately provoking Obi-Wan, trying to get him to lose his temper.
But why? Obi-Wan wondered.
Of course! "You knew all along that Qui-Gon was coming to search for a Padawan, didn't you," Obi-Wan said slowly as the suspicion hardened into certainty. Since Obi-Wan was the oldest apprentice in the Temple, the Jedi Masters would encourage Qui-Gon to take him -- the lost cause. Bruck would not want that to happen.
Bruck laughed. "I made sure you didn't find out. If I'd had my way, you wouldn't have found out until he'd left."
Two cloaked figures watched the confrontation between the two boys from a shadowed alcove of the training room. They both saw the play of expressions on Obi-Wan Kenobi's face, so readable, even without the Force. Surprise, hurt, determination, contempt for Bruck Chun and finally a false casualness that disguised none of the fear that both watchers sensed.
Obi-Wan smiled. "Bruck, three months from now, when you turn thirteen, I hope you'll make a great farmer."
Bruck leaped with a snarl, lightsaber held high. Obi-Wan spun to meet him with a cry on his lips. Flashing blades clashed in a burst of light and buzzing sound as the boys met in the room's center.
The shorter of the two watchers shook his head, concealed under the hood of dusty brown Jedi robe.
"That was... really pathetic," he commented, his voice low, though it was doubtful that the two furiously fighting boys would hear either of them.
"Which one?" his taller companion asked.
"Both," he answered. "Kenobi is the most pretentious little wannabe Jedi I've ever seen. And Chun thinks that power comes from taking it from sad cases like Kenobi. I at least had a lot more style and forethought when I did it. Younger than he is, too."
The other person shrugged his shoulders. "Chun is a mere bully. But Kenobi has real strength underneath all that insecurity." The hooded face looked toward the brawling, angry boys in the training area. They pounded each other with sweaty grunts and inarticulate fury. The Force draining away from their unfocused rage, they were both tiring quickly.
"Oh, no," the smaller watcher said.
The taller figure tore his eyes away from the fight.
"You're going to take Kenobi, aren't you?"
"I haven't said anything," the tall one denied.
"You don't have to," the shorter one accused. "You've got that look on your face, like when you put your arm around a slobbering vagrant and give her my robe to keep warm."
"I only did that once. And that was years ago."
"It took years for me to get the smell out," the shorter one complained before turning back to the fight. The boys were stumbling with exhaustion, striking with single, poorly aimed blows, driven by anger and little else. "So, this is my successor? If he really means to go after Chun, then he could turn that saber up. Take off a few limbs maybe. But I don't think he's even thought of that."
"No." The bearded face under the hood smiled. "There is no real darkness in his fear and anger. Just impetuousness."
"Aaaaaah, that is your speciality," the shorter figure agreed and then watched until the two boys exhausted each other, finally stumbling away to separate exits. "I suppose I am to salvage the other one."
"Only if you feel it is right."
There was a long sigh. "I suppose it is. I know what he is thinking."
"Really?"
"Yes." The shorter one answered definitively. "Chun knows that if he cut off Kenobi's arms everyone would know that he did it. That's the only thing stopping him."
"Hmmmm, the boy is that cruel?"
"No crueler than I was. Not nearly as smart as me, but smart enough. I suppose."
"Then you will have years to feel superior to him. If you will have him."
"Only if he will have me," the shorter one almost whispered.
The bearded, hooded face looked down at his companion with concern, but nothing more was said. The two watchers silently left their alcove.
Xanatos: Detached