Temple Mischief
What You Wish For

It was here at last…the day of the Temple Talent Display. Padawans, Knights, and Masters alike from all over the Republic had gathered on Coruscant to witness the spectacle of Jedi showing their "non-Jedi" abilities.

Naturally, as soon as one Obi-Wan Kenobi found out about the chance to perform - or rather, show off - in front of the entire Jedi order, he jumped at it, and was the first to sign up.

Over the course of the five weeks between sign-up and showtime, Obi-Wan had suckered three of his friends into helping him with a musical number. Soon enough, word was out that Obi-Wan Kenobi was going to sing.

~ + ~

The day of the show, the entire Temple was positively buzzing about the upcoming show. And of course, Qui-Gon Jinn was pacing the floor. This time, though, it was more because he was a judge than because of his Padawan with the sub-standard common sense. Actually, his mildly insane Padawan was the least of his worries.

"I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Mace," he whispered to Master Windu as they made their way over to the judges’ table.

"Everything will be fine," his friend reassured, but it was no use. On the other hand, the thwack across the shins was.

"Worry, you will not, young man," Yoda scolded as he took his seat.

"I am hardly a young man, Master," Qui-Gon laughed, "and this is going to be a disaster of monumental proportions." Another thwack.

"Be not it will," Yoda chided, "Quiet, you will be. Starting, the show is."

~ + ~

so the show went on. The one-person acts went on first, and were judged, followed by the comedy and non-musical portions of the show. Awards were given and talents recognized. Two hours into the show, Mace looked over at his friend, who was growing more and more anxious by the second. Qui-Gon swore it had nothing to do with that brainless oaf he called an Apprentice, but the head Councilor knew better. He knew Qui-Gon too well. And Yoda’s twice having to make him sit still was a dead giveaway that something was up in Master Jinn’s usually serene mind.

Backstage, Bant was pacing the floor, just as Qui-Gon had done earlier. She had gone into this thinking it would be fun, and it was…but now that they were next, she wasn’t so sure. Neither were Garen and M’Leena.

"Obi-Wan…is this a good idea?" Band whined, peaking out of the curtain as Bruck’s loud, quite scary number ended.

"Of COURSE it is!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Bant. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Oh…just EVERYTHING!"

"Nothing will go wrong," Obi-Wan almost bellowed. He too was nervous, but he was about to let on…They would pick on him for certain.

"Hey Obi! You’re next!" one of the stage managers called out, and the band lined up. Outside, the crowd grew louder by the second. Then the noise became almost cataclysmic as the announcer cut in.

"And now…the moment you’ve all been waiting for… OBI AND THE PADAWANS!!!" The cheers were deafening as the quartet made its way onto the stage and started up the song. Things went well enough…until Obi-Wan started to sing…

Every female in the audience went wild as the young man played his guitar-like instrument and swung his hips and braid to the sound of the music. He flashed a devilish grin that caused the noise to heighten ten decibels. They screamed like little girls in the presence of an idol…but of course, to them he WAS and idol.

Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I
See you cryin?
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I
See you cryin?

At that, the girls stormed the stage in an attempt to get at the Sienna-haired Padawan. The rest of the band ran for cover, as did most of the males in the audience, but Obi-Wan stayed and continued to sing.

From the corner of the stage, Bruck watched, fuming, as his glorious performance of "Crazy Train" was by far outshined by Obi-Wan’s ever-stupid antics. For this, he vowed he’d get revenge…but first, he was getting the hell out of dodge.

The girls started to climb onto the stage, but Obi-Wan stayed put…until they began tearing at his tunics and pulling at his arms and legs. Only then was he forced to back flip up to the rafters where he was safe.

"Master! Help Me!!!" he cried out. Qui-Gon, who had watched on in horror, started to laugh.

/You wanted them to want you, Padawan,/ he thought to the helpless boy. /They want you./ And with that, he and the panel of judges left.

~ + ~

The helpless Padawan clung to the rafters as the last of his fans passed out and dropped to the floor of the auditorium with a thump. He waited another half hour to make sure they were all fast asleep, then began his descent.

Obi-Wan landed soundlessly on the floor, and began to sneak away. He thought he was in the clear, but then he turned and looked over his shoulder at the sleeping masses and walked right into the door frame.

Oafy-Wan strikes again.

The metal CLANG! Was enough to wake them and send them flying in his direction. Obi-Wan panicked and took off, running at the speed of Force through the Temple with the throngs of women of all species behind. He made it to his quarters, palmed the lock, and hurled himself through the door just in time to see it slide shut and lock out the screaming, gibbering girls.

Obi-Wan rolled across the floor, stopping when he hit his Master’s feet. He looked up sheepishly at Qui-Gon, who had been sitting in a chair reading, and smiled. Qui-Gon looked down at his disheveled apprentice and laughed.

"Careful what you wish for, Obi-Wan. You just might get it."