starwars100 | Prompt 31b

Title: Last Day as a Padawan
Prompt: Braid
Author: peppermint_shamrock
Rating: G
Characters: Original Jedi Characters
Pairing: None
Star Wars Media Property: Prequels/Pre-Prequels
Word count: 300
Warnings/Spoilers: N/A
Summary: A group of Jedi gather to celebrate a padawan that will be knighted the next day.
Author Notes: N/A
Beta: None, it's just me

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The padawan felt a sudden tug on his braid. Although no hands were anywhere near his hair, he didn’t have to search for the culprit.

“You,” he said, pointing at his assailant.

The Nautolan padawan grinned good-naturedly, and threw up his hands. “Can’t blame me for wanting to do that one last time.”

Behind the padawan, another friend, one who’d been knighted herself a few years earlier, snorted.

“If that’s the last time you try that tonight, I’ll eat your cloak,” she said.

“My cloak? Shouldn’t it be yours? Besides, he’s always welcome to do it back. He’ll even get to do it more than me! Right, Master? You’re not knighting me any time soon.”

“Your assessment is accurate, padawan, but perhaps more reflection on that matter would be to your benefit,” the older Jedi said dryly.

“You don’t even have hair,” the first padawan said, “it’s not the same to pull on your braid.”

“It’s a symbolic gesture.”

“Well, I have a symbolic headache now.”

“I didn’t pull that hard. Hey, at the knighting ceremonies, have they ever tried just yanking the braid off...”

“That would hurt,” every hirsute Jedi in the room immediately responded.

Conversation continued, and the soon-to-be knight welcomed it. At times he chimed in and, at others…he didn’t withdraw, but at times simply let it wash over and around him, the comfort of his family. Others came and went as they passed by, offering their preemptive congratulations and advice.

Throughout it all, his Master sat nearby, quietly observing the festivities. She had always been a Jedi of few words, so it was all the more meaningful when she approached him and said, “I look forward to tomorrow.”

His throat felt tight. Tomorrow, he would stand alongside her as a Jedi Knight.

“Thank you, Master.”