While You Were Out
Chapter 11
Speed, Slips and Shower Rooms
"Faster Obi-Wan! Getting away the youngling is!"
"Master..." gasped Obi-Wan. "How... fast... *gasp* Can your chair *wheeze* go?"
"Much faster than before," snapped the Jedi Master. "Young Skywalker tuned it up just the other day. 'Performance enhancement' he called it."
Obi-Wan groaned and closed his eyes momentarily, as if it would help him gain a second wind.
"Look OUT!!" came the cry from many different directions as the Jedi and his rider careened into a hover cart destined for the crèche. Blue milk and mush went sailing across the room covering not only Masters but the walls and floors as well.
Obi-Wan slowly rose and despite his own indignation, he had to suppress a giggle. Yoda was leaning against the wall, apparently unhurt with a bowl of gruel tipped upside down on his head.
Yoda wiped his eyes, flinging a dollop of mush Obi-Wan's way yet saying nothing.
"Masters..." a young Padawan spoke up through a stream of giggles. "The youngling was heading towards the training room."
"Master Opi-Wan, are you alright?" asked a younger initiate who promptly covered her mouth, trying unsuccessfully to mask a fit of laughter over her slip.
"Yes," sighed Obi-Wan, ignoring the jibe. "The training room you say?" He got off th floor and helped Master Yoda back on to his shoulders, and minding his step, dashed in the direction indicated.
When they reached the training room, they found it empty but a small side door was swinging ominously. Over the hiss of running water, Obi-Wan could hear the unmistakable giggle of a young child.
Jedi
did not normally overly concern themselves with
modesty, however, there were times when the line was most decidedly drawn.
"Master Yoda, I can't go in there now! I can hear the water running!"
"It matters not! Into the female shower room you must go...."
Obi-Wan sighed as he set the Master down again.
Yoda began beating Obi-Wan's leg with his Gimer stick.
"Go, wait for you here, I will."
Obi-Wan carefully made his way into the shower room, the steam obscuring his vision.
"Luke..." he called softly. "Luke, where are you..."
A fit of giggles was his only answer as the water turned off.
"Luke..." he called again as he turned the corner only to come body to body with the giggler.
Not young Skywalker as he had supposed, but no one other than Basha Tyn. A human Jedi who had just attained knighthood.
She blushed furiously, and used the force to summon a towel, looking everywhere but at Obi-Wan.
"Master Kenobi..." she said rather abruptly as she pushed her way passed him.
Obi-Wan backed out of the room muttering his profuse apologies. When he reached the entrance to the training room a welcoming site met his eyes.
Yoda was back in his hover chair, cradling a sleepy Luke in his short arms.
"Booger-Jedi.." said Luke, happily reaching for the Master's ears. Obi-Wan took the infant wordlessly.
"Opi-Wan... Ani-pa..."
Obi-Wan pulled Anakin's very worn com out of his pocket and handed to Luke. He then gave the Master a quick little bow, muttering something about getting ready to go meet Anakin at the healers. Yoda regarded him with an unreadable expression but as Obi-Wan headed back to his quarters, he was sure he heard the aged Master laughing..
