Obi-Wan Kenobi was enjoying a leisurely lunch in the Temple cafeteria, chatting with friends that he hadn't seen in months, when a black gloved hand slammed down on the table in front of him.

Despite his finely honed Jedi composure, the loud noise nearly made him jump out of his skin.

"TRAITOR!" Anakin shouted.

Looking up at his very angry, very loud former apprentice, Obi-Wan blinked in stunned confusion. He didn't have to wait long for an explanation.

"You're entering the Talent Show by yourself!" Anakin accused.

Obi-Wan nodded a bit hesitantly, "Yes. I am."

"Were you even going to tell me?" Anakin demanded and Obi-Wan started to understand.

"Of course I was going to tell you," Obi-Wan said reasonably, but Anakin was not to be placated.

Each year the winning performer, or duo, had their name engraved on a little golden plaque hung under a banner that read 'Most Talented Jedi' on a wall outside one of the training rooms. Most Jedi insisted that it was only a silly tradition, not to be taken seriously, but most Jedi also tend to be very competitive at heart. The plaques for the past five years read 'KENOBI and SKYWALKER'.

"But why? We always perform together and we always win. Why mess that up?" Anakin asked, still upset but thankfully a bit calmer.

"We always do the same thing. Again and again and again. People will get tired of it," Obi-Wan said.

Anakin glared. "Or you will get tired of it," he accused.

"Anakin. Please," Obi-Wan was growing frustrated but he wanted Anakin to understand, "You and I have fought together nearly every day since this war started, and when we're not doing that we practice sparring. And you know I wouldn't have it any other way, but don't you want a break for once? To do something different?"

"Like what?" Anakin asked impatiently.

If Obi-Wan thought he had a talent that was more spectacular than the two of them performing a free-style sparring session, complete with Force-assisted acrobatics and endless lightsaber maneuvers executed with speed and precision, it had better be something good.

"It's a surprise. And honestly, Anakin, I had no idea it was so important to you. It's only a talent show."

Anakin clenched his teeth. If Obi-Wan wanted to be difficult, then fine. He should have expected as much.

"Fine. Do whatever you want. I don't need you anyway," Anakin said icily.

Obi-Wan watched his friend stalk away, thinking as he often did after a confrontation with Anakin, 'I probably could have handled that better.'

From their expressions, it was clear that apparently Aayla and Luminara agreed with that assessment.

"You didn't even tell him you were breaking up the partnership?" Aayla commented.

"That's cold," Luminara said.