Disclaimer: None of this is mine. It all belongs to George.
Summary: Master Dooku and Padawan Jinn have a small disagreement over tea.
Notes: Points to anyone who can spot the reference to a similar incident in the films. It should be pretty easy. ;)
Tea for Two
There were many things about Qui-Gon Jinn that perplexed his master. Not least among these was the fact that the boy did not like tea.
"I don't understand how you can drink that, Master," Qui-Gon grumbled, rubbing the sleep from his still-bleary eyes with one hand and running the other through his mussed hair. He hadn't yet tied the longer pieces back in the traditional padawan style, and he looked at the moment rather like the victim of a bad practical joke.
Dooku snorted under his breath and took another sip of his tea.
"It's just so bitter," Qui-Gon continued, ignoring his master's amused look. "It's like drinking a bad day in liquid form." He made a sound of extreme distaste and reached out to grab one of the jelly rolls from the plate in the middle of their small breakfast table, shoving the entire roll into his mouth in one swift movement.
"That's very poetic, padawan," Dooku said with a smirk. Qui-Gon yelped slightly as his master's hand connected with his wrist in a none-too-gentle slap. "And don't do that again."
"Sorry, Master," the padawan said, but there was more amusement in his voice than genuine repentance. Nevertheless, he ate his next roll at a considerably slower pace, and in two bites.
"You'll never make a Jedi if you continue to have such atrocious table manners," Dooku said mildly. He took another sip of his tea and added, "And a Jedi must be able to accept the bitter things in life as they come to him."
Qui-Gon sighed. "Yes, Master," he replied, in the tone of someone who had stopped actually listening to this lecture after the first half dozen times he'd heard it. He favored Dooku with a mischievous smirk and added, "But that doesn't mean I have to drink all the bitter things that come along."
Dooku rolled his eyes. Qui-Gon noted that he did so in a refined and subtle manner, and fought the urge to laugh.
"Very well, padawan," Dooku said, sounding quite put upon. "You may add some sugar to your tea."
Qui-Gon grinned and went to retrieve the sugar bowl.