Chapter 2: There's a First for Everything
Crechemaster Ali-Alann looked down at his newest protegé. The little redheaded boy had been found almost literally on the stairs leading up to the Jedi Temple a few weeks ago and after the initial health check he'd been enrolled in Ali-Alann's listings. A solution that so far fit them both very well.
Today was a different matter.
Little Obi-Wan was mostly a docile and friendly child and didn't stir up much fuss in his new home, but for the last few days (and nights) he'd been unusually unruly. He'd been kicking and whimpering and quite a nuisance to handle. It didn't really help that he was transmitting his distress to the other tiny jedi in Ali-Alann's care, so the day had been quite full of comforting and calming and soothing carrying.
"What's the matter, little one," Ali-Alann sighed, "why do you do this to me today? I'm getting old and grey in one day."
The blue eyes gazed up at him with an expression that seemed to be pure suspicion.
"I am not going to eat you for first meal, you know. Besides, it's way too late for that. It's almost time for late meal already. The little boy wrinkled his brow and for a moment he looked like an old, wise being.
"Now, that's a thought," Ali-Alann mumbled to himself. "I actually think you're old enough for some proper food. That might be the solution to our little sleeping problem. Blue milk might not be enough nourishment for you anymore."
And with that he placed the boy on a sleeping pad and began to prepare a thin porridge suitable for the youngest crechelings. He was so busy that he didn't notice at all the changing colour of the boy's eyes and the wary look that almost certainly could be translated into: "I have a very bad feeling about what is going to happen now."
Feeding Obi-Wan was not an easy task. He squirmed and pressed his tiny lips together so firmly that it was almost impossible to get even the smallest of teaspoons in, let alone any of the porridge. When the meal was finished there were clearly visible traces of the food battle on the boy's clothing and Ali-Alann's tunic was far less spotless than it'd been by the beginning of the day.
"Let's hope we all can have a good night's sleep after this," he said softly.
His hopes were not fulfilled.
The next morning he truly regretted his good idea. The intention of a peaceful night had vanished somewhere between the third and fourth change of diapers and comforting a whimpering and hiccuping Obi-Wan. Obviously the porridge had been too much to handle for the boy's digestion.
"Next time we try this, please remind me that we should do so for first meal, not late meal," he concluded with a huge yawn.