Heading to an Uncertain Future

Helooooo! (I'm Utopia87 on here, but you more commonly know me as Volitan from ff.net).

This is great! Its almost impressionist in style, I think. Oh, and just to warn you - I'm an absolute menace for reading too far into things and picking up on the minute details!

I'm not certain that this is post Naboo, when they first come 'home' to the temple? Something is telling me that perhaps, on examining what Anakin is wearing, this is before they return to Naboo, before Qui-Gon essentially disavow's Obi-Wan before the council and tries to take Anakin as a Padawan before his existing Padawan has achieved nighthood?

I love the contrast between the dullness of the background, the un-living, inanimate masonry with the vibrancy of Obi-Wan and Anakin in the foreground. There is a definite sense of 'alive' and 'not alive' about the picture. Perhaps this image was what a Force-Sensitive walking behind them saw? Perhaps this is how Jedi 'see' when they use the force?

Obi-Wan's shock of red hair stands out like a flaming torch - certainly signifying his future role as a guide in someone's life. And the lovely warming colour of his cloak is rather soothing in comparison to the almost bleakness of the background. I think it ties in well with the fic - Obi-Wan was the only safety and home Anakin ever managed to get in the Temple, and the warm colours emphasise that.

I absolutely adore how lanky Obi-Wan looks! That tuft of spiky hair and the Knight's tail still tied at the back of his head! He honestly looks like his cloak is a size too large - like he has some growing to do. And I think this reflects his character brilliantly! He really wasn't ready to be Knighted - he just happened to manage to be the first Jedi to kill a Sith in a millennia, while his master was dying! The Council pointed out Obi-Wan wasn't ready for his trials... and if this is post Naboo, then we all know from your fic how much growing Obi-Wan needed to do to become the teacher and master that he did.

I also like the little detail of Obi-Wan's hand on Anakin's shoulder. It's an excellent visual metaphor of guiding; pushing forward; steering in the right direction. As far as I am aware, the pose Qui-Gon took with both of his hands on Anakin's shoulders is part of the ritual of taking a Padawan (though, don't quote me on that one). If this is prior to Qui-Gon's death, is it a sign of things to come? Is Obi-Wan's hand on one of Anakin's shoulder a pre-warning that he's going to claim him as a Padawan one day? Or, if it is after Naboo, is it a reaffirmation that he has accepted Anakin as a padawan, a silent warning to anyone who'd challenge it?

Another little detail I admire is that the only flesh of Obi-Wan's that is on show is the back of his neck and his hands. I think this makes him just that little bit vulnerable, and just that little bit more accessible. The long cloaks the Jedi wear make them mysterious and a little menacing - but these little patches of flesh remind you they are people.

Anakin looks ready for a fight - or perhaps flight or fight? His posture isn't comfortable and his hands are almost curled into fists! It looks like his uniform doesn't even fit him! The sleeves are too short! (that little bit is what makes me think it is before Qui-Gon's death, that and the messy hair-cut that doesn't look like the Jedi Buzz cut of a Padawan).

Overall, I love this, and I've probably read too much into it!