While You Were Out
Chapter 10
Temple Trouble and Runaways
Ignoring the sly looks and the rolled down windows of the cab, a dirty and disheveled Obi-Wan and a tidied up Luke rode in relative quiet to the Temple. Luke, who once again was chewing on his father's mangled com, occasionally cooed and chuckled merrily to himself, blissfully unconcerned with the cabby's remarks about Jedi and their bathing habits.
Once they reached the Temple, Obi-Wan fairly slinked past other Jedi Masters and their Padawans, and to the quarters he had shared with Anakin. Once there, he made a consistory glance around the room and set Luke on what had been Anakin's bunk where Luke yawned once, and promptly fell asleep. Experience told him that Luke's nap would not last for long and he decided to take advantage of the situation and get in a quick shower and a change of cloths.
As Obi-Wan began sorting through his data cards, a knock at the door woke Luke and Obi-Wan inwardly sighed. So much for peace and quiet.
At the door stood an older Padawan, Lon Erian, one of Anakin's advanced Light Saber students. Anakin, against Obi-Wan's advice, had taken Lon on as a student in hopes of helping the young Jedi channel his own anger issues and Lon had proven himself a top student, even surpassing Anakin's expectations. Although gambling was technically against the rules of the Temple, Obi-Wan had bought a fair amount of drinks over that one.
"Master Kenobi," Lon began, but before Obi-Wan had a chance to reply, Luke held out his arms to the Padawan crying out joyfully "Rain! Lon-Rain!!"
Lon tucked his Padawan braid safely behind his ear and obligingly picked up the giggling infant. Luke stuck his fist at Obi-Wan and cried out joyfully "OPee-WAN! Lon-Rain O-Pee Wan!!"
Obi-Wan groaned inwardly as Lon, unable to suppress his mirth, bust into a fit of laughter. He knew that within the hour, his new name would be common knowledge among the younglings and quite possibly...
"Master Kenobi..." Lon said at last between giggles.
"OPee-Wan!" Corrected Luke, and Lon conceded with another giggle. Obi-Wan sighed inwardly, but tried to maintain a sense of composure.
"Yes...?"
"Master Yoda wishes to see you at your earliest convenience sir..."
"Jedi BOOGER-da!" Crowed Luke, and Lon choked again but Obi-Wan remained unperturbed.
"Tell Master Yoda I shall be with him shortly." Obi-Wan replied a little more gruffly than he intended and Luke pulled a face.
"Opee-POO!" grunted Luke as Lon set him back on the bed and took his leave. Luke waved madly at him, "Lon-Rain go POO!!!"
Taking the hint, Obi-Wan took Luke to the fresher and changed the nappy before setting off, feeling much cleaner and self assured.
They reached a small anti-chamber of the Jedi Council, yet Master Yoda was no where to be found. Obi-Wan set Luke on the floor, near the Masters Hover chair and sat down to wait. A few minutes later, the Jedi Master emerged from a hereto unseen door shaking his hands which were dripping wet.
"Towels we need, Younglings neglecting their duties they are." He grumbled. "Master Kenobi, good to see you again it is..."
The two masters began to engage in an animated conversation, unaware that Luke had crawled into the hover chair... and had started to rise.
The door to the anti chamber opened and a young Padawan, Poulin Brith rushed in, carrying an armload of towels. He was promptly knocked over as Yoda's hover chair, with young Luke squealing gleefully, raced passed.
"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Ooooo-Peeeeee-Wannnnnnnnnn! Luke go Bye bye!!!"
Both Jedi Masters looked in horror as Luke and the hover chair gained and almost ludicrous speed as it raced out the door and into the Temple.
"NO Luke NO!!!"
"Stopped he must be! Carry me you must!"
With and almost ethereal grace, the aged Master threw himself onto Obi-Wan's shoulders and began beating him with his gimer stick.
"Faster Obi-Wan! Speed is of the essence..."
