Coruscant: Jedi Temple Intensive Care Medical Lab
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The four looked at him in surprise. Finally Yoda spoke.

"Condemn Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi we do not. Why think you this?"

"And what are these sins you have committed?" this from Qui-Gon-- who was still not totally convinced that the young man silently weeping before them was not just Ayar suffering from trauma shock.

Nick crossed over to stand in front of the tall Jedi Master before sinking to his knees, head bowed, mind searching frantically for the most formal words he could use in this supernatural language that had been magically bestowed upon him. "My Lord, are you then the Avenger in Judgement? Must I recite the list of my transgressions to you now for truly they must be catalogued in Heaven--- for is that not why I am here? And I implore you, Lord, to spare your brother's divine being from this accursed place. Would God make him suffer for my lack of faith?"

"Accursed place?" the corner of Obi-Wan's mouth twitched upwards. Never before had he met an enemy who was also so amusing. Perhaps his Master was correct and this was indeed only a mind-addled Inav Ayar. But still there was that feeling of Dark Otherness. The tiny smirk faded. This alien wearing a Jedi's face was dangerous and he would treat him so until the Council members said otherwise. "This is the great Temple of the Jedi. Home to all the Knights and Masters." he said coldly.

The confusion that Nick had finally managed to defeat came thundering back at this surprising declaration. Qui-Gon had to catch his shoulders to keep him from falling over.

{{ Temple of the Knights and Masters? What did this mean? }} Could it be that he was *not* in Hell? But then what of the demons? "Lord Angel, I do not understand. Yes... I was once a knight to God, but I forsook that path to follow the ways of evil for such a long time and only recently strove to redeem myself. Are you saying then that it was enough to-- if not get me to Heaven with my dear Natalie-- then to at least get me to Purgatory? What, Lord, will be my fate here?"

The moist, utterly beseeching eyes melted Qui-Gon's heart at the same time his head was drawing a conclusion to the distraught man's words. It was an awful conclusion, however, and still possibly erroneous. He had to think about this. Meditate. Consider alternatives.

His padawan, unfortunately, still tended to the impulsive side. "Sith! Ayar's fallen to the Dark Side!" The blue energy blade once more shot forth from his lightsaber. He pointed its end at a paling face.

"Padawan Kenobi," Yoda snorted impatiently, " put that away will you, before someone's eye put out you do!."

"But Master Yoda--- he has admitted to embracing the Dark Side! Doesn't the Council say that once you have started down that--"

"Obi-Wan."

Master Jinn's voice was as calm and mild as usual, but his padawan reacted as if he had been slapped. The lightsaber was once again powered down.

"I am sorry, Masters."

Mace Windu spoke up, looking stern. "It was an understandable reaction, young Kenobi had--- though he would do well to spend more time in the Meditations on subduing ungoverned emotions." He gave Qui-Gon a significant look.

The Jedi Master tilted his head in agreement. "I will see to it Master Windu."

Obi-Wan looked like he wished he could disappear on the spot. He shot an annoyed glare at his percieved foe who was still kneeling at his Master's feet. He had to admit the being did not *look* like much of a threat at the moment: wide-eyed, trembling slightly, hair and exposed skin still wet with Bacta. But the Code was rather specific about what was to be done with those who where seduced into the Dark Side of the Force. What reasons could there be for delaying judgement? Hells! Ayar had even asked to be judged-- yet *he* was the one being chastised. Straightening up his spine, he quietly sulked over his injured pride, mental shields firmly locked in place lest he be reprimanded for *that* childishness as well.

Sometimes, a sulk just felt too good to give up. At least not right away.

Yoda averted his eyes from the trio lest his amusemennt be discerned by them. Young Kenobi was like a swift running stream compared to the rock-cliff calm of Master Jinn. The pair were his favorites. They worked well together despite their differences--- maybe because of them. Certaintly his own former padawan was blessed by the pairing: Qui-Gon had never smiled or laughed so much since Xanatos, his padawan before Kenobi who had fallen to the Dark Side. Kenobi's youthful exuberance had lifted him up from the mire of despair. At the same time, Jinn's experianced stoicness served to put a ceiling on his student's emotional excesses. Balanced they were. Not to mention a balm to the otherwise stuffy atmosphere that could be the daily lot of Council life. But now was not the time for it. "Agree with Mace, do I. Remain calm and clear-headed must we be. Sense all is still not known in this: more to see is there before decision on this we make."

"The Council must be convened to decide Padawan Ayar's fate." Windu concurred.

Yoda grimaced. "And if Ayar in fact this is."

"That, too, we must learn."

"Masters," Qui-Gon begged their attention, "shouldn't he at least be allowed to make himself presentable before he faces the Full Council?" He silently tilted his head downward towards the bedraggled figure now sitting at his feet, concern etched on his features. Ayar-- or whoever he was-- had not reacted well to the sight of alien forms widely different from himself. Returning him to the ministrations of the multi-specied Temple healers would likely only result in more damage to the youth until this sudden xenophobia could be dealt with.

The youth *and* the medical facility, Yoda concurred, seeing the battered and broken Bacta Tank afresh. His large eyes studied first 'Ayar' then his former padawan, then the obviously fuming Kenobi. The young one was correct to be wary of the stranger's strength. Yet he could not help but sense that Jinn's padawan was overreacting. Yoda was positive this was not truly Master Ta'okin's apprentice despite the outward appearance. And whereas there was an odd darkness surrounding 'Ayar', it was not really darker than that of most beings. Indeed, there was quite a bit of strong Light shining through even that. It was likely that Kenobi was letting personal feelings color his views. Obi-Wan's impatience with "pathetic life forms" and strict adherence to the rules was well known to him, as well as Qui-Gon. While the latter was commendable, the former was a failing the padawan would do well to conquer as quickly as possible. After all, every life form was a child of the Force, no matter their obvious ability or lack thereof.

"I will go summon the Council mem--" Mace began.

Yoda held up a hand. "Tommorrow. Convene in the morning we shall, not before."

"Tommorrow? Would not tonight be better?"

"So urgent this is not. Agree, Master Jinn? Can wait till Ayar better able to stand is?"

Qui-Gon suppressed a smile. Although outwardly referring to the boy's obvious tiredness, Master Yoda had also noted Ayar's strange attack of xenophobia. He could almost guess his former master's next words.

"Qui-Gon, ready him, you and Padawan Kenobi will." The diminuative Master ignored the mental cursing leaking from Kenobi's shields. Not only was Qui-Gon Jinn a veritable fortress of calm serenity, his human shape seemed more acceptable to... Nicholas. Strange that, considering. "With my decision have problem do you, Padawan Kenobi?"

"Err... no, Master Yoda." The blonde Jedi-in-training gulped.

"Good."

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Qui-Gon led Nicholas to the door of his own quarters where he directed Obi-Wan go and fetch their 'guest' suitable attire. Obi-Wan protested.

"But, Master-- he's not a padawan!"

"He is until the Council declares otherwise and will be treated as such."

Defeated, Obi-Wan departed to procure fresh clothing. Qui-Gon sat down on his bed and indicated his guest should do the same.

"Sit, Ayar."

"Please, Lord Angel. My christian name is Nicholas."

Christian? Qui-Gon mentally shrugged at the unfamiliar word. "Very well... Nicholas. Please sit feel free to use the freshner."

"Freshner?"

Qui-Gon nodded with a kind smile, "You might want to get that Bacta residue off yourself before you put on the clothes Obi-Wan is getting for you." The other hesitated briefly before entering the indicated room and closing the door. Moments later he heard a scream and rushed in to find his 'guest' staring blankly at his reflection in the room's full-length mirror.

"Ay--" Qui-Gon corrected himself, "Nicholas--- what is wrong?"

Nicholas de Brabant didn't answer right away. His mind was too busy grappling with the image before him.

It wasn't him.

He tentatively touched his forearm then shoulder. The image did the same.

Mother of God! It *was* him! But why? Was this part of his sentence that he should look so.... different? "Lord Angel... why do I look this way?"

Jinn chuckled. "Because you are covered in Bacta of course!"

The Jedi Master's humor dissipated as the other's distress refused to do likewise. This wasn't mere vanity over his appearance the youth was feeling. "Do you not like the shape of yourself anymore?" Dath. He seemed to remember the Creche teacher expressing great relief when she had finally managed to dispel her three-year old student's inferiority complex all those years ago. A pity Ayar had not been found before his obvious differences from others on his planet had been ground into his conscious mind by the 'pu rebloods' . A blesssing, though, that he had not been killed outright considering the narrow views of that pretentious society: Despite his small stature, Inav Ayar was very good swordsmen and had pronounced healing abilities that the Temple Healers would have gladly accepted had he failed to have been chosen as a padawan learner by a Jedi Master before his 13th year.

The former Crusader knight was awash in confusion. "I.. it's not what I... expected, Lord Angel." Nick managed to stutter. Who would have thought that the true death could bring one's powers of understatement so much to the fore!

"Well, it seems to be the one you're stuck with I'm afraid. And please call me Qui-Gon in private. Master Jinn when in public." Gentle words-- not mocking. Nick risked a look into the light-blue eyes.

"Qui-Gon..." Nick carefully pronounced the strange name not wanting to offend. It didn't seem like a proper angel name like Gabriel or Michael--- but what did he expect? At least his name wasn't 'Bob'. Angel Bob. He felt an incongruous snicker escape from his throat at the random thought. The strangeness was obviously wearing down his sanity. He closed his eyes in an attempt to salvage what remained.

Seeing that 'Nicholas' was not going to move on his own power anytime soon unless prodded, Qui-Gon gently steered him into the freshner, removed the stained robe and turned on the sonic shower, mindful to keep his gaze averted. He heard the other give a small gasp as the half-dried medicine was removed, but otherwise his guest remained in a shock-induced passivity throughout the process. When he judged enough time had passed and the youth was clean he let him out again, draping a towel over the slender shoulders. "Here. You may use my brush if you like." He pressed the tool into an unresisting hand.

The purplish eyes regarded him for a moment before turning his gaze back to the mirror.
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End Part 4