Orgus watched Zarro and Maldecka with a bemused smile. Then had bumped into each other at one of the Jedi Houses, places in the galaxy for temple rest without having to travel all the way back to Tython. This Jedi House sat on a tropical island, surrounded by crystal clear water and beautiful coral reefs.

A delighted giggle drew Orgus back to the objects of his attention. Zarro and Maldecka had been sparring, but that quickly devolved into some sort of game of tag. Orgus grinned to himself. He knew Zarro would be the better Master for Maldecka.

When Zarro stopped and glanced over at him Orgus stepped out into the sunlight.

"Master Orgus! I thought you were still meditating in the gardens!" Maldecka sprinted right over to him.

Feeling playful Orgus scooped her up and tossed her onto his shoulder before continuing over to Zarro. Maldecka giggled and attempted to escape. Orgus quickly let her, given how fast her growth spurts were happening he wouldn't get away with that much more.

"I felt like coming to see you two. Besides, it's your birthday Mal. Got to give you a challenge."

Maldecka was practically skipping at his side, "What's the challenge? Is it rock climbing? Hunting?"

Zarro shook his head, "Sunbeam, be polite and let him finish."

Maldecka flushed red and stood at Zarro's side, "Sorry Master Orgus."

Orgus grinned and pulled a small parcel out of his pocket, "You can swim, right Mal?"

Maldecka looked up, eyes wide and eager, "Yes."

Orgus grinned and held up the parcel, "Good, go fetch this."

With that he pulled back his arm and tossed the parcel as far out to sea as he could.

Maldecka wasted no time kicking of her shoes and top layer. Clad in just pants and undershirt she sprinted for the water and quickly dived in.

Orgus laughed lightly and turned back to Zarro. The look on Zarro's face immediately brought Orgus back down.

"What?"

Zarro crossed his arms, "What? What are you thinking!"

Orgus lifted an eyebrow, "You did say I could come up with the challenge this year..."

Zarro glared at him, "I expected you to come up with something safe."

Orgus tilted his head, "She climbed a decaying tower when she was six."

Zarro barred his teeth, "There are sharks out there! And riptides! She could cut herself on the coral and get an infection!"

Orgus was speechless. Truly Stunned. He knew something was bothering Zarro since Maldecka got hurt on one of their recent missions. But he had never seen Zarro snappish.

Gently Orgus asked, "You do know she's training to be a Jedi, right? Big bad dangerous galaxy won't hold back."

Zarro looked out across the water to spot Maldecka paddling away, "I know...I know."

Orgus watched and waited for Zarro to continue.

And continue he did, "She was so small when she came to the temple."

"Still is."

"No, she's growing. Becoming a young lady."

"She's turning eleven. Still a kid."

"Eleven isn't six. Did you know Nettesh talked to her about the changes she's going to be going through in the next couple years?"

"Everyone takes health class."

Zarro glared at Orgus.

Orgus laughed, "What? Your standing here acting like she's about to be knighted! She's eleven for a whole year. Then she'll be twelve for a whole year. See the pattern Zarro?"

Zarro returned his gaze out to the sea, "Still..."

Orgus scoffed, "Still nothing. She's a Jedi, not your daughter."

Zarro's shoulders pulled up.

Orgus kicked at the sand, "I know how tricky it is to walk that line, believe me. I also know the consequences of not walking that line. There are some councilors at the temple that can help you figure it out."

Zarro turned slightly to look at Orgus. It was a rare day when Orgus volunteered information about his own padawan experience.

Zarro glanced back out to see that Maldecka was swimming back, "I'll look into it."

Orgus clapped him on the back, "Good. Now, let's go celebrate. Looks like Maldecka caught dinner too."

Sure enough Maldecka was wadding out of the water; a massive smile on her face with the parcel in one hand and an eel as long as she was tall in the other.