Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of Inner Strength
series will help.
Spoilers: vague mentions of event in IS3: Inner Struggle and
IS4: Inner Spark
Summary: Elyzabe give Obi-Wan's class a writing assignment.
Feedback: The feedback y'all have sent me over the past few
months is what helped resurrect this series. I would love to
know if you like this one too.
Notes: It's baaack. Um, if my little Obi-Wan stories were never
your thing, run away - far away. And for all of you who've
emailed, asked, and even begged (your words not mine *g*) this
is for y'all. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank Yous: Yet another story brought to you by the letter K.
Thanks Krychick, Keely and Kristi for look at this for me!
Disclaimer: since it looks like lucas refuses to give us
stories about obi and qui before the movie, other than the far
too few JA series, (but full length novels about obi and ani?
sigh.) i'll have to do it myself :)
Master Kohn looked out across the classroom. The lesson that
was planned for the afternoon had ended far earlier than
expected. Glancing at the children, she knew there could only
be trouble if they were given too much free time before
dismissal.
Smiling, she considered her options for a moment. The children
were all looking at her, expectantly, when she moved toward a
large cabinet in the far corner.
Unlocking the door, she reached inside and pulled out a stack
of paper - real paper, rather than the padds that were often
used - and the appropriate number of pencils. After making sure
she had gathered everything they would need, she closed the
cabinet.
"Today, each of us is going to write about something."
She managed to hide her smile while watching their reactions.
Even though they were only children, they had already had
enough training to know better than actually groan in response.
Walking around the room, she handed each child a piece of the
paper and a pencil. After the task was done, she returned to
the front of the room. In her hands, she held a piece of paper
and a pencil for herself. Years of teaching had taught her a
few things as well. Such as it is often easier to lead by
example, when the students would rather be doing anything but
what was required of them.
Leaning back onto the sturdy frame of her desk, she smiled
brightly at the students. "Do any of you have an idea what we
should write about?"
She watched the flickers of surprise on their faces at being
presented with the option. There was a long moment of silence
before one of the students sitting toward the back raised her
hand.
"Yes, Chelle?" she asked the small Andriaan.
Chelle smiled. "What if we wrote about our familes, back home?"
Elyzabe's smile didn't falter, but she immediately rejected the
suggestion mentally. More than one of those she taught either
had no memory of home, or had those they might rather forget.
Her eyes turned to one red-gold head in particular.
Only months before she had known very little beyond the
official report detailing the circumstances that brought
Obi-Wan Kenobi to the Temple. However, since then, Qui-Gon had
shared with her some of what he learned from the child himself
about his past. Her heart tightened at the images the words
created.
The thoughts lasted only seconds and she shook her head. She
tried to smile to cushion the denial. "I'm sorry, Chelle. Some
of your classmates were brought to the Temple when they were
too young to remember their homes." Kohn refrained from
mentioning her other concern to the young children.
"Another idea?" Another hand was raised, a boy this time. She
turned her attention toward him. "Yes Ray?"
He smiled, faintly. "Might we write about what we'd like to be
when we grow up?"
Elyzabe laughed brightly. "And what would you like to be, young
Ray? Maybe a Jedi?" Her voice was warm, emphaising that she
wasn't making fun of the child's suggestion.
Ray grinned, glancing around at his classmates who joined in
the laughter. "I guess that's what all of us would want to be.
Right, Master Kohn?"
She nodded. "I think so, although one or two of you might try
and surprise me. A good suggestion, Ray, but not quite what I
had in mind."
"I tried," he said with a smile.
Glancing across the smiling faces, she waited for another to
raise their hand. When none did right away, she looked at
Obi-Wan. While not as shy as he had been in the past, he was
yet to be eager to speak up in class.
Elyzabe tilted her head to the side, it did look as if he might
have a suggestion. "Do you have an idea, Obi-Wan?"
His green eyes widened as he stared at his teacher. She watched
as he swallowed nervously. "I think so, Master Kohn."
"What do you think we should write about?"
Obi-Wan smiled, the corners of his mouth just barely turning
upward. He looked a bit nervous, but spoke anyway. "Could we
write about our best friend?"
Elyzabe nodded in agreement. She spoke while walking back
around her desk. "I think that would be a wonderful thing to
write about, Obi-Wan." Sitting down, she placed her paper and
pencil before her.
Picking up her pencil, she waited for her students to do the
same. "Be sure to write your names on your work." She thought
for a moment, and knew that the grin on her face would probably
worry grown Masters. Luckily, for her, the children were still
too young to realize it typically meant trouble. "Perhaps we
will share our papers with the people we write about."
There was a mixed reaction to her comment, but she was pleased
by the overall response. Her smile didn't face, but her tone
was firm, broking no argument. "However, I know that you will
all be serious when writing." She added the last, just in case,
even though she doubted it was necessary.
Within moments, all of the small heads were hunched over their
desks, busily writing. She watched for a moment, before
thinking about what she might write herself.
At his desk, Obi-Wan stared at the empty paper for a moment. He
had thought of the idea, but suddenly he wasn't sure what to
write. His hesistation only lasted a moment when he thought
about his best friend, and smiled. Pencil in hand, he began to
write, quickly, but as neatly as possible, about his best
friend.
My Best Friend
by Obi-Wan Kenobi
Not very long ago, I didn't have a best friend. I mean, I had
friends from class, but not a real best friend like you hear
stories about. Then one night I had a bad dream about my mom
and brother. I was really sad and tried to hide. My best friend
found me. That's how I met my best friend, Master Qui-Gon.
He made me feel better, let me cry and everything, even though
I thought I was too old to cry anymore. I don't think he had
been around little kids much, but he was still nice to me. It's
kind of weird, we have a bond, that's what Master Qui-Gon calls
it. I can sorta feel what he feels.
A little while ago I got sick. I think it was bad, and Master
Kohn was scared. I think it was some kind of flu. I felt all
alone, but Master Qui-Gon found me. I can't really say what it
was like. Kinda like being out in the rainstorms we had back
home. When I woke up I was really happy to see him, even if he
snores really loud.
The healers kept me in that boring white room for ages. I was
so bored. I think I must have been bothering the
healers. I didn't want to just sit there, I wanted to do stuff.
Like play with some of my friends. Master Qui-Gon tried to keep
me busy, 'cause the healers wouldn't let my friends into my
room. He tried to teach me to play some card game. I didn't
ever understand it, but it was still a lot of fun.
He even took me on a trip when I got better. I got to meet
Master Windu then. That was because we were stuck at the
gardens, but Master Qui-Gon told me stories so I wouldn't be
scared of the storms.
I think he's going to be my best friend for a very long time.
At the end of the learning period Master Kohn collected the
essays and pencils back from the students as the followed
Padawan Jonis from the classroom. After putting up the pencils,
she carefully placed the papers into a carrysack and left the
classroom.
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