The Book of Lost Arguments

Small stocking footed feet padded across the tiled floor.

They stopped before a sealed door with authorized personnel warnings on it.

Bali stared up at the obstacle. He then approached but the door did not open. He pushed at the silver door but it did not move. He stomped his foot against the panel on the floor but it still did not make the door open. Sighing, he folded his arms across his chest, the material of the gray tunic pulled uncomfortably and smelled too much like the healing center.

Not that the smell would be fixed, after all he was in the healing center. Again he shoved at the door but it did not budge.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Bant called out as she marched into the waiting room of the bacta chamber.

"Master," Bali said, but did not turn to greet the healer. His attention remained focused on the door. He still felt bad from the Sith attack but it did not matter, he was worried about his master.

Bant grabbed his arm and pulled him backward. "Bali–"

"I want to see my Master!" The boy argued.

The healer sighed as she knelt but did not let go of Bali's arm. "You cannot go in there."

"Master–"

"Is in bacta. He was hurt very badly."

"I know," Bali whimpered. Of course he knew, he was there when the Sith monster attacked and nearly killed his master. He was there. "I want to see him."

"No."

"Bant!" Bali cried out, but his weariness showed through.

"You belong in bed."

"I feel fine."

"No, you don't."

Well, she was right about that, but it did not mean he wanted to see his master any less.

"He is going to be all right," Bant said softly. "Check your training bond."

"He's not awake."

"But you can feel him there."

Bali thought about it for a moment, he reached across the bond and found the warm familiarity of his master at the other side. All he could feel was Obi-Wan. No emotion, no pain, no thoughts came to him but his master was there. Bali wandered what he would do if he ever lost that sense of his master. "Is he okay?"

"He will be," Bant answered. "It's going to take him a while to recover though."

The apprentice turned back to the locked door.

Bant wrapped a hand gently around the boy's. "Listen to me, you terror, Obi-Wan will be royally upset when he wakes up from his bacta nap." She winked and grinned. "You know how much he loves bacta treatments." The thirteen-year-old giggled. Bant continued, "So I don't want him even more upset with me because you won't get your much needed rest."

"I want to stay here."

"No." She stood up, still keeping her hand tight around Bali's. "After you take a nap, I might let you in for a few minutes."

"Okay," he grumbled as Bant pulled him from the room.

They barely made it into the corridor when Bant suddenly stopped. "I was under the impression you had been released."

The tenseness in Bant's voice brought Bali's attention away from the bacta chamber. He had to look way up to see the face of Qui-Gon Jinn blocking the corridor.

The tall Jedi Master's gaze slipped from the healer to the apprentice, whose hand Bant still clutched tightly.

"I had a meeting with the Council and I thought I would check in to see how Obi-WanMaster Kenobi is recovering."

"He is still in bacta," Bant answered quickly.

Her reply left Bali to wonder if he was missing out on something.

Qui-Gon nodded slightly.

Bant twisted to see Bali's tired face. "Come on, let's get you back to bed where you belong." She pulled on Bali's hand leading him around Qui-Gon.

"Healer Eerin," Qui-Gon called out softly as he turned to face her.

Sighing, Bant stopped. "Yes?"

He motioned toward Bali. "May I?"

The healer's silver eyes flashed and blinked curiously. She looked at Bali. "It is up to you."

Bali studied the older Jedi. The one who had taught his master. He did not seem like a bad person and they were in the Temple where it was safe. He then looked to Bant, noting the determination in her look. She would be close by. "Okay."

At first Bant hesitated, as if not wanting to let him go but then she finally loosened her grip. "I want you in bed and resting."

"I am not tired," Bali argued.

"Yes," she poked his nose, "that may be so, but you got zapped really good. Besides, Obi-Wan would be upset if you did not take care of yourself while he's out."

Bali nodded.

Bant turned her attention on Qui-Gon where she whispered softly, "If you cause him any undue stress, I promise your next visit here will be very unpleasant."

"I would not," Qui-Gon replied firmly.

"You will have to forgive me if I do not take you too seriously." She bowed and retreated toward the healer's station.

The apprentice looked up at the tall master who was curiously studying him. Unsettled by the gaze, Bali checked around the corridor and then checked his sleep tunic and trousers to make sure he was dressed right. After all, his brain was still fuzzy and he could have forgotten to put his pants on.

"Is there something wrong?" Qui-Gon asked.

The apprentice quickly checked his unevenly spike hair. "When Master looks at me like that it is usually because I am doing something silly."

Qui-Gon chuckled. "No, my young friend, I was just thinking how much you remind me of Obi-Wan when he was your age."

Bali laughed as he started back toward his room. "Master was never my age."

____________________

The Book of Master and Padawan Part V

Bali had curled himself up on the bench and was leaning heavily against Obi-Wan's side. He sighed loudly but did not relinquish his position.

For Obi-Wan's part he did not mind. Although he knew it was improper form when a padawan is with his master, but they were not in public and he decided it would not hurt. The boy was nervous about the meeting. He was scared to death of it.

It could not hurt. Bali tucked his chin against the folds of Obi-Wan's cloak and offered up a gentle smile that Obi-Wan could not help but to return. "This will not last too long, my Padawan."

"Yes, Master."

At least that was what Obi-Wan hoped. He would be much happier the moment the session was over.

A door opposite the one to the reception desk opened and a large Mon Calamari male stood there. His skin was more olive colored and his eyes were grayer than Bant's gentle, silver eyes. Master Lorus Anell was a figure that might even make Bant cringe.

His cool gaze settled on the master and padawan who quickly stood and Bali fell into his proper place at his master's side.

"Kenobi. Tiro." He barked as if addressing the troops.

Obi-Wan tensed, then he felt the brush of Bali's thoughts through the fledgling training bond. The bond itself was strong, sometimes more so than the young master would like, but it was new to the eight-year-old. Bali was not accustomed to accessing it so the thoughts were always timid and unsure when they bled through. He reached out to the small figure at his side and pressed a comforting hand to Bali's shoulder.

The two followed the large mind healer into a narrow corridor that felt way too claustrophobic for Obi-Wan's liking.

Lorus stopped and motioned them through into a small office. More of the amber walls surrounded them. The young master decided he was really getting to hate that color.

"Sit," Lorus said gruffly as he found his place behind the large desk that dominated the small space.

Obi-Wan and Bali sank to the bench on the other side. The ginger haired Jedi wondered why there was an abundance of benches.

"It keeps you from getting too comfortable," Lorus said.

Again a wash of tenseness flooded through Obi-Wan as he started tightening his shields.

"Everyone asks that," Lorus replied, noting the other's reaction. He shuffled through some work before pulling a data pad close. After what seemed like a lifetime, Lorus returned his attention to the master and padawan. He focused on Bali. "Padawan Tiro."

"Yes, Master?" Bali wiggled slightly then straightened to face the imposing mind healer.

Lorus studied his notes and looked curiously at the boy. He returned to his notes. "Bali Tiro?"

"Yes, Master," Bali replied looking back curiously.

"Is there something the matter?" Obi-Wan asked cautiously.

"No," Lorus gruffly replied. He placed the data pad to the side and studied the boy again. "Tell me, Padawan Tiro, what do you think of your living quarters?"

Obi-Wan watched Bali wiggle excitedly.

"It is much bigger than the dorms. Quieter too."

"Is it too quiet?"

"Not noisy like the dorms," Bali quickly answered.

Lorus considered the answer. "Tell me what you day is like."

Bali thought about it for a while. "The whole day?"

"A normal day."

The small apprentice screwed his face up in concentration then relaxed slightly. "I wake up."

"Good, go on."

Obi-Wan struggled to remain calm, unsure why the mind healer wanted a detail of the boy's day.

"Then Master and I meditate."

"First thing?"

"After I get dressed first."

"Okay." Lorus' gray gaze turned to the master for a moment before returning to Bali. "Why do you meditate?"

"To consider the night before and to think about my nightmares and to prepare for the day."

"Nightmares?" Lorus asked as Obi-Wan looked at the boy curiously. "Did you know?" he questioned the younger master.

"He has disturbing dreams. Wakes him up once a week."

"Is this true, Padawan Tiro?"

Bali nodded.

"Go on."

The eight-year-old squirmed a little then settled down. "We go to the cafeteria for breakfast. I like the purple berries."

"You do not prepare meals in your apartment?"

Bali gave a curious look. "Master does not cook."

"Doesn't want to?"

"He burns stuff and it never tastes right."

Lorus nodded slightly. "He's a bad cook?"

Bali grinned and nodded enthusiastically.

"What do you do after you eat?" Lorus unmercifully continued with the questioning.

"I go to the gym and then I have my morning classes with Master He." Bali thought for a moment. "Then I meet with Padawan Gur'Abo. She is my tutor for my morning classes." He waited but Lorus did not interrupt. "I go to lunch."

"By yourself?"

"Sometimes I eat with Master, but mostly I eat with my friends."

"Do you have a lot of friends?"

Obi-Wan shifted giving the older master a hard look.

Lorus ignored him.

"Awar is my best friend."

"What about after lunch?"

"I have saber practice with Master."

"Have you learned a lot?"

Bali nodded. "I am learning the fourth kata."

Again Lorus studied his notes as Obi-Wan gave the boy a reassuring smile. He was worried; after all at Bali's age he should be learning the sixth by now. And yet, the bright green eyes showed only that he was proud of his accomplishment and was not worried that he was behind his other age mates.

"What do you do after practice?" Lorus continued.

"Master and I meditate so I can learn from my mistakes and calm myself after the exercise. Then I meet with my friends." Bali thought for a moment before continuing without being prompted. "Then I have to study." It was obviously not one of his favorite things by the grumbling tone of voice.

"Does your master help you?"

Bali quickly nodded. "He explains stuff really well." Grinning, Bali looked to Obi-Wan's worried expression.

"And then?" Lorus pressed.

"We go to the gardens to meditate. I like the one with the big waterfall. And then we go and eat in the cafeteria when it is not so busy. Sometimes Bant eats with us."

"Healer Bant," Obi-Wan gently corrected.

"Healer Bant." Bali laughed. "She is really funny."

Lorus just looked dully at the quiet master. "These are not professional visits, I assume?"

"We have been friends since we were children," Obi-Wan answered dutifully. "I am not under a healer's care."

The mind healer made a notation in his records. Obi-Wan just frowned. Lorus focused on Bali again. "Then what?"

"Just stuff," Bali shrugged.

"Like what?"

"Different things." Again, the boy shrugged.

"What did you do last night?" the mind healer pressed.

"We went up to the little room above the Council room. There are chairs and pictures on the wall I had never seen before."

Lorus turned a curious gaze to Obi-Wan.

In almost a perfect imitation of Bali, Obi-Wan shrugged. "When I was his age, Master Yoda showed me the carvings in the stone. No one knows why the builders left them there. The words are in an ancient dialect. Master Yoda said no one even knows where the inscription came from or how to read it. The room goes unoccupied until someone decides to devote time to the study."

"Why take him there?"

"Why not? Bali went from the crèche to initiate housing and wandering the main corridors and primary facilities. Why not show him one of the Temple's many secrets. He can't harm it and maybe it will give him something to think about."

For a time, Lorus considered Obi-Wan's answer then turned back to Bali. "What other stuff do you do?"

"We watch the skyways after dark from the different towers. Sometimes we go to the archives and just walk through the stacks. Madame Nu thinks I'm going to know the archives as well as she does before long." The boy giggled at the thought. "But I don't want to work there. It is like a big maze and I don't want to get lost."

Lorus made another note to Obi-Wan's dismay. "What do you do after your Temple explorations?"

"Relax a little. Sometimes play with friends. Then more mediation and I go to bed."

"That seems like a very full day," Lorus noted absently. "Do you ever feel like you just need a break and not do anything?"

"No. I like to walk around the Temple with Master. My friends don't know anything about the Temple." Bali looked to Obi-Wan with a hint of worry, then the look vanished into a happy, contented expression.

"Do you like your master?" Lorus asked after another stretch of silence.

"Yes," Bali answered quickly.

"What if I told you there was another Jedi who would just love to be your master."

Bali made a little face of concern and leaned against Obi-Wan's arm. "I like my master."

"You won't give him up?"

"No."

Lorus added something else to the notes.

Obi-Wan could feel Bali's stress at the last few questions rise terribly. He carefully reached through the training bond and touched the little boy's mind. He immediately felt Bali grasp the tendril and he sent boy waves of reassurance.

Bali immediately eased.

The mind healer noted the silent exchange and leaned back in his seat. He motioned to Bali. "Come around here." With a little hesitation, Bali obeyed. Lorus showed him something on the data pad. He then flipped on a small holoimager on the desk and a clown appeared. It juggled a couple of activated lightsabers effortlessly. While Bali's attention was focused on the clown, Lorus turned back to Obi-Wan. "What did I show Bali?"

"A kaari bird, I think. I doubt Bali has ever seen one. It was dark blue with a long feathered tail."

"Remarkable. Kaari birds are usually red." Lorus made another note then shut the juggling clown off. "Padawan Tiro, wait for your master outside in the waiting room."

Bali looked worried.

"It is all right, Padawan," Obi-Wan reassured.

After Bali had left, Lorus spoke again. "I am surprised by the intensity of a training bond at this early stage in your partnership."

"Not nearly as surprised as I am."

"You do not want a training bond?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "Of course I do with Bali. I justit is hard to accept another one."

Lorus made another note. "The records on Bali Tiro are a far cry from the child in the waiting room. Evidently you are doing something correct."

"Was there concern?"

"Yes." Lorus studied the other man. "Frankly I am concerned about putting a child in your care, especially one with his needs." The mind healer paused to make another addition to his already lengthy notes. "Normally I do not require a check up on the relationship until at least six months have passed."

"Unless?"

"Unless a problem has been reported."

"And?" Obi-Wan grew wary of the answer.

"Tell me, Master Kenobi. Is there a problem?"

"No."

Lorus nodded. "The child is progressing nicely. I find it is easiest to allow a young padawan to talk about their relationship with their master. They are not as defensive and will freely offer up all kinds of interesting bits of information. I myself may have to visit the room above the Council chambers out of curiosity. Were he defensive I would look for the source of the problem, but Bali was not."

Obi-Wan relaxed slightly.

"Now, for you."

Straightening slightly but the young master did not allow the mind healer see or feel his powerful mental shielding lock into place.

Lorus smiled. "It was never about the child. He just made getting you through the door the first time easier. You can thank Master Windu for that, he used all his favors up with me. I would not have brought the child in at all."

"I don't understand."

"Although," Lorus continued the thought, "it did make for an interesting study. Until the child was brought into the waiting room, you were highly agitated. I admit that most who come here do not do it completely willingly and they are anxious, but you were radiating a very threatening presence. You had that poor girl at the reception desk scared witless."

Obi-Wan quickly glanced away. He had not realized it and wondered if he projected that toward Bali.

"The boy does not fear you," the mind healer replied as if reading his thoughts, "which is more than I can say for quite a few Temple residents. That does not change the fact that there is something very wrong with you that you react to situations like that. You must seek treatment if for no other reason than for Bali's sake." When Obi-Wan did not answer, Lorus continued, "Twice a week for now. Choose a time that does not disrupt your schedule with the boy."

"And if I do not?"

"I would hate to break up an already strong relationship, but it would be unfair to leave the child in a potentially unstable relationship."

Obi-Wan lowered his head slightly and sighed. "Mornings, while he is in class."