*Master Tano leads me down the ornate hallway before the large wooden door swings open, revealing the Council chamber inside.
"Masters." Ahsoka bows her head after making her way to the center of the room. "Your charge."
"Thank you, Master Tano." Master Windu recognizes Ahsoka before she moves to take her seat on the Council, allowing me to sidle up to the center of the room.
Full Council as always.
Which is interesting because I thought Masters Jinn and Kenobi were abroad…
"Young Bridger, welcome." Master Yoda begins the proceeding.
"Thank you Master."
"The Council would like to commend you for your work teaching the younglings over the past month." Master Windu speaks.
Master Kenobi adds "They all think very highly of you."
"They're good kids." I smile and bow my head. "I just teach, they do the actual work."
"But you manage to get across ideas and concepts in a way that they can apply. Which they do with great enthusiasm." Master Dooku counters.
"A mark of a good teacher." Master Mundi speaks up.
I bow my head in thanks, feeling embarrassed. "Well thank you Masters. I've enjoyed it."
"I'm glad to hear that. The plan is for you to take over that time slot for those younglings until late May." Master Tano reveals.
"I'd love to do that, thank you."
That sounds awesome.
The room falls into silence for a moment, forcing me to shift slightly under their collective gaze.
"How are you finding your classes this semester?" Master Jinn takes up the questioning next.
"Very well."
"Better than last semester, hmm?" Master Yoda insightfully reads into my thoughts.
"Yes Master."
"Is the workload comparable to last semester?" Master Plo Koon asks.
"Around the same." I report.
Master Windu leans over to grab a datapad. "Let's go over each class, one by one. Creative Writing?"
"You bombed a quiz in that course." Master Skywalker says, his tone giving nothing up.
I acknowledge my failure with a nod. "Yes Master. It was the morning after the UCLA incident and I was not prepared. In the time following I have worked hard to right that wrong."
"Which you have." Master Yaddle nods while looking pleased. "Your last major assignment you received top marks as well as extra credit."
Bringing my grade up to where it should be.
I nod and wait for the Council to continue. "Why did you fail that quiz so spectacularly? Judging by your other courses, it's quite out of character for you." Master Luminara observes.
"The quiz was over a specific reading, which I did not do."
"Why didn't you do it?" She presses.
"Because of the previous day's events."
"Your efforts that day saved a great many lives." Master Dooku compliments me.
I bow my head in gratitude once more before the room falls silent.
Clear mind…relax. Clear your mind Ezra…
The Force shifts towards the Council before the room begins to tense up. "Are you omitting any details of that day, young Bridger?"
Damn you Master Windu.
I avert my eyes, opting to inspect the intricate design of the tile beneath my feet before "Young one?"
Master Yoda.
It'd be better for me to tell them than have them extract the details out of me.
"My, uhm, my relationship with Sabine progressed that day as well." I confess, casting a brief glance up to Master Yoda before returning my eyes to the floor.
Don't go red. Do. NOT. Go. Red.
The chamber falls silent before Master Skywalker speaks. "We examined the footage just before we called you in. She had a very emotional response to your departure."
…
"Yes she did Master."
"That's not it." Master Kenobi uses his insight. "Is it?"
"If at all possible, I'd like to keep the details private."
Worth a shot.
"No." Master Windu says, tone turning ice cold.
"That is a luxury you will not possess, young Bridger." Master Shaak Ti reminds me.
Acknowledging that fact, I remain silent before the room follows suit.
"Do we have to question you, or will you volunteer the information?" Master Jinn asks me.
Making it my choice.
"I, uhm…" I stutter before my voice fails me.
Here goes nothing…
"Sabine and I, uhm…progressed. We know each other more intimately now. I guess I should say."
Oh that is about the most awkward way—
A majority of the Council shifts forward in their seats. "You slept with her." Master Windu figures it out.
…
"Yes Master."
"Consensually?" Master Mundi probes.
"Yes." I nod.
If anything she was the pursuing party. She started it.
"Need I remind you young one." Master Windu barges right through my thoughts. "That in these chambers you have no secrets. No right to private thoughts…young Bridger."
"If anything she was the more eager party." I admit. "It…all started from her."
"She engaged you in sexual intercourse." Master Windu clarifies.
That sounds so bad…
"Yes Master Windu."
Kanan tilts his head and pinches the bridge of his nose before Master Yoda turns. "Something to say, Master Jarrus?"
"Masters, I confess that my wife thought this to be the case as soon as that night. However, I didn't believe it to be the case and kept quiet. I apologize."
Wait Hera what—
"And you didn't listen to her?" Master Windu asks him, a tone of surprise in his voice.
Kanan straightens up in his seat while avoiding my eye. "I didn't notice that much of a change between them. The events of the day before were traumatic, and while yes they were slightly different than I had observed previous, it fell perfectly within expectation."
"Master Tano?" Yoda pivots to her.
She was there too…
"I felt her affection for him, but the girl can be a bit hard to read without alcohol to loosen her up." Master Tano reports.
You gave her wine.
"And you didn't probe or press the issue?" Master Unduli questions her.
"Speaking for everyone in the house that day, we gave them both a wide berth. The prior day was indeed traumatic."
It wasn't fun.
Ahsoka then turns her focus to me. "Does my Apprentice know?"
"I…thought you knew." I concede. "He watched my surveillance footage."
Haven't they?!
The Council seems to all lean away from me for an instant. "This Council has been busy with other matters, young one." Master Windu informs me.
"But I'm…me." I point out.
You have watched my every move ever since I turned myself over.
And now you're just not watching?!
"You have earned this Council's trust, young Bridger. A feat not to be overlooked." Master Dooku gives me the smallest of smirks.
He's happy.
"Speak for yourself, not the Council Master Dooku." Master Ti chastises him.
Dooku tilts his head. "My mistake."
"When did my apprentice find all of this out?" Ahsoka asks me.
"The day of my first lesson with the younglings." I report. "He…deduced that I was slightly off and pressed the matter."
Master Jinn responds. "He should have reported it to you."
"Indeed." Ahsoka nods, expression stern.
Cayle's in trouble.
…
Kanan too.
"Anything else you would like to reveal on this matter to the Council?" Master Windu gives me an opening.
Better take it.
"The, uhm…events have held steady in the time following Masters." I tell them.
"You two have continued to consummate your relationship." Master Kenobi states the obvious.
"Yes."
Master Plo quips. "Well I do hope you're being smart and protecting yourselves."
"Yes Master."
"I haven't discovered any purchases to suggest otherwise. Is she paying for this protection?" Master Mundi queries.
So you're monitoring my bank account but not my cameras…
"Not directly. She gets it from her father at a discounted rate."
Okay!
"Through Walgreens." Master Skywalker puts the pieces together.
"Yes." I confirm for the Council.
"And you are absolutely…100 percent confident in this fact." Master Windu presses me once more.
"Yes." I nod in his direction. "I used the Force on the first night to confirm that she was telling the truth. Later on I've seen her take the medication as well as pick up her newest prescription."
It's airtight.
"Well at least you're being smart about it…" Master Plo fires off. "A more reckless individual wouldn't do such a thing."
"Young Mister Bridger is anything if reckless." Dooku cuts across Master Plo. "Since his capture of course."
"Indeed." Master Yoda agrees with his former apprentice. "Closed, this matter is. On, we should move. The next class, Master Windu."
Windu holds steady for a moment, then returns his gaze back to his datapad. "Introduction to Programming. You hold the highest grade in the class."
It's over 100% with extra credit included.
…
Windu glances around the room to the rest of the Council.
Oddly enough, it's an area that I already know far more about that any of them. They possess, to my belief, no programming knowledge of any consequence.
"History of Mandalore." Windu continues. "Your exploration into Mandalorian culture continues due to Ms. Wren."
"The entire culture fascinates me Master Windu." I reply. "Has ever since I was a child and my father introduced me to it."
"Believing them to be a potential ally." Master Kenobi throws on top for good measure.
"Yes." I concede.
"The Mandalorian people are a proud, stubborn group. And I personally maintain my apprehensive position on the Wren girl."
Well that's good.
"Have you discussed the course with her?" Master Dooku inquires.
I nod. "Yes, I believe that she is interested in what I learn in there. It's come up with a certain amount of regularity."
"Say what, does she?" Master Yoda asks.
Is that really…relevant?
"She believes the professor to be a bit of a fraud. He's not Mandalorian, and she has a certain…how do I explain this…" I stall for time.
Elitist. Hubristic.
"Haughty…opinionated view of all things Mandalorian. She very possessive of things Mandalorian."
"She is full of hubris." Master Mundi remarks.
"Such as? Other than her opinions on the professor." Windu asks me.
I shift in place before replying. "She nitpicks certain aspects of the class. I print off the slides for his class like I have in some of my others. It makes notes easier that way." I explain.
"And she's looked at them." Master Kenobi nods in understanding.
"Yes." I confirm for him. "She always finds small things to protest or raise issues with. Nothing of real substance so far. Societal mostly."
"She is Mandalorian…" Master Ti chides once more.
…
"Your grade in that course is also top of the class. Well done." Ahsoka commends me.
"Thank you Master Tano."
"I believe that we can skip over the Dance course, seeing how it is a filler course and it seems to be doing its duty in advancing your relationship with the girl…" Windu scrolls on the datapad. "Leaving Sociology."
"Sociology has been interesting." I comment.
The room is silent for a moment before Master Jinn encourages me. "Go on."
"I, uhm…the class has made me think of my father. What he thought of me before I left. What could have been going on in his head."
"In his head?" Master Windu repeats my words.
"Yes." I nod. "Like I've told you before, and you are correct, it is an immature grievance…but my father always preferred Elias over me. Always. I've been thinking about that."
…
"And?" Master Dooku prompts me.
"I don't know yet Master Dooku." I confess. "I've tried meditating on the matter, to little success. My mind goes in circles on the topic. Once I have something concrete I feel like is worth sharing, I'll request to meet with all of you."
The room is silent for an extended period before master Windu finally breaks the hush. "That is very mature of you, Ezra."
He never calls me Ezra. Ever.
I'm always 'Young Bridger'.
Reminding me of my place in the grand scheme of things.
"One other thing, there is Master Windu." Yoda speaks directly to him.
"Indeed." Windu nods while swiping one more time on the datapad. "The members of this Council are aware of this Young Bridger, but did you know that the Wren girl's mother officially requested the two of you for a potential combat opportunity?"
SHE WHAT?!
"No. What? When?" I blurt out.
Sabine's not combat trained!
No way in hell is that happening!
"This past Monday is when the official request came in from the Mandalorian consulate." Master Kenobi reveals. "You must have made quite the impression with her after leaving the Temple."
"She was quite enthralled with him here as well Masters." Ahsoka notes.
Enthralled.
"She didn't appear to be from my end Masters." I answer their unasked question. "After we left here we went to dinner. She bought my cover story hook, line and sinker. Outside of that the conversation was of little note."
Her family, filler details about my family that I've told Sabine. Nothing I need to bother them with. The story is mine, and I know they trust me to color within those lines when needed.
"From all indications, the woman can be quite strict and uncompromising on the outside." Master Skywalker comments.
"That's just who she is. Not very outwardly warm." Ahsoka fills in the gaps.
What about the request?
"For the time being we've elected to table the request for another time. Were you aware that she was combat trained?"
"No." I laugh. "It makes sense a little bit, from what I've learned in class all Mandalorians have a foundation in combat training. But nothing that suggests something worth reporting."
She's a soccer player and an artist. Not a warrior.
The Council is silent for a moment. "Master Tano?" Windu turns to her.
"Yes Master Windu."
"Tastefully attempt to learn more of how combat ready the Wren girl is. It is extremely unlikely that we ever elect to use that option. But more information on the girl could be useful."
True.
"Especially if young Bridger continues sleeping with her."
HEY!
That's…unnecessary.
"Yes Master." Ahsoka accepts her mission with a nod of her head.
"Will I be included on those findings?" I throw out there.
Windu's eyes snap to me. "Not initially. Any decisions to be made in regards to combat missions, stealth or otherwise will be made by this Council, then filtered down to you."
…
"Of course Master Windu."
…
"Done here, we are." Master Yoda declares to the room.
"Indeed." Windu says before rising to his feet. "May the Force be with you, Young Bridger."
"Thank you Masters." I bow in reverence to the Council. "May the Force be with you."
(A/N: Apologies on getting the update posted a day late. I regret to report that my normal job that pays the bills resulted in a very bad day. Which bled into the conclusion of this chapter, forcing me to scrap it and sleep on it. The Monday/Friday schedule is still on. Thank you for your paitience.)