Master Halcyon stormed out of the room. What is eating her? She brought this whole mess on herself. I can't believe she baited Yoda like that! The only one I know who can do that and survive is…
"Hello Robin." a deep voice rumbled.
…Qui-Gon. I start a frantic mental search of escape routes. "Hi Qui!" I brightly chirp. Wincing at the panicked tone in my voice, I continue. "Long time no see. How you been?" Stupid stupid stupid! Yet another point for the Jedi master conversationalist. Man, I am on a roll today.O:P/O:P
His already wide smirk broadens, threatening to engulf his ears. "I am well, and you, my dear friend?" his solemn voice at odds with the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
As it tends to do in dangerous situations, my mouth starts up before my brain can engage. "I am fine, totally fine, no problems…" finally my brain grabs hold of my tongue and strangles it. The main problem of my situation is that dear Qui has blocked me into a corner, thus cutting off all exit routes. I begin to run through stratagems. Maybe if I drew my saber and… no good. The man is at least five ranks above me in saber. Sith, he's five ranks above EVERYBODY in saber. Okay, time for a new plan. Maybe if I sidle left really slowly like I am going to sneak out of the room, and then suddenly leap over his head… I look at him again. Ix-nay on that idea, the man is too tall, and I am too short for that trick. Okay… While my brain was trying to save my six, my tongue got free again and continued its brilliant stage career.
O:P/O:P
"You know, its funny, I was just talking to Mace the other day about you and how, um, tall you were. Yeah, he really looks up to you, you know? Man, I just crack myself up. Looks up, get it?" I mentally groan at the words coming out of my mouth. Robin Jayhawk, gal genius. Is there some way I can get a muzzle? I firmly shut my mouth again. Qui just keeps on grinning, obviously enjoying my discomfort.
O:P/O:P
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you." Qui says softly. "You see, I have something for you. Something very important. Something that Mace and I picked out together, just for you. Something that we are sure you will never, ever lose." That grin is now threatening to split his face. Quickly he reaches inside is cloak.
I jump into a defensive posture, ready for some sort of attack, even though I am not getting any warning of one through the Force. Not that I expect much of a warning if Qui really does decide to attack. That man is very devious. Slowly now, Qui pulls out his mysterious "something". Whatever it is, I am sure that I am going to be in big, big trouble.
Finally the thing is revealed. I gasp in horror.
"Qui! No, please, don't do this! I am sorry for the pranks! I didn't think you minded this much! I mean, you did start it with the ice in my bed and everything all those years ago. Its not my fault!! Come on, put that down and walk away. You don't want to do anything you will regret, now do you??" I bargain desperately.
"Sorry Rob, this is one thing I will never regret." He firmly places the bright yellow doll in my arms and saunters out of the room. I look down at it. There is a note attached to its little collar thing.
Dear Robin,
I hope you enjoy this little momento. Don't worry if this one becomes, shall we say, misplaced. We know
where to get more!
Have fun!
Mace and Qui
I stare down at the toy and horror. It stares back at me. Then, in a bright little voice it intones "Pikachu!"
I run screaming from the hall. That's it, no more Ms. Nice Master. I storm down the halls, plotting revenge. I am sure Master Yoda would have something grave and solemn to say about revenge, about it leading to some other feeling which leads to something else which leads to the dark side. Speaking of little green trolls… I should see if I can get him to reverse his decision about having that Halcyon come with me. I really don't mind going to the outer rim. In fact, the farther I get from those bickering senators, the better. However, I don't think I can keep my sanity with her on this mission.
