Happy Holidays!!
******
Imperturbable Serenity
*New*
Qui-Gon slept the whole ride home. Kalaya had thought the baby would fuss much more, especially after breaking from his family, but his unexpected serenity only further supported her guess at his strength in the Living Force. Only once did he briefly wake, only when his single possession was dropped on the floor.
"Mama?" he cried and reached for Kalaya's face.
"No, Qui-Gon, I'm not your mother," she said gently and retrieved the toy, placing it in his grasp again.
He curled small fingers around it as before and said, "Daddy." Kalaya crooked a smile when the boy recognized the animal's maker, and she was glad when he rested and fell into slumber once more.
*
She was not surprised to find Master Yoda waiting at the entrance when she entered the Temple.
"Ah, here at last he is," he said of the new child as Kalaya held him out to the old Master.
"His name is Qui-Gon Jinn. I believe he is strong in the Living Force, stronger than I am."
A small clawed hand gestured to the boy's small companion. "Hmm, what is this? Forbidden possessions are. Learn early the young ones must, or difficult letting go becomes. Know this you do."
"It is a gift from his parents. He was as upset as they were. It was the only thing that relaxed him. Look at him." Qui-Gon still slept. "It was the only way he /could/ let go. Please, don't take it from him."
"Inappropriate it is. Wish to cause him difficulties, do you? Jeopardize his place with the Jedi?"
"No, of course not, Master, but I won't part him from a piece of what he is."
Yoda peered at the babe intently, then closed his eyes. Kalaya felt the Force swirl as the strongest of Jedi called upon it for guidance. When his eyes opened again, she inquired, "What do you see for him?"
"Clouded, his future is. Difficult his life will be, but with or without the Jedi, I do not know." He mused a minute more. "Solace he will need." With a small nod, Kalaya knew Qui-Gon was given permission to hold on to the precious piece of his heritage.
*
In the creche, Qui-Gon's information was transferred to the Temple's system and a new bassinet set up for the addition to the Jedi's numbers.
"There you are, little one. Another for you to watch over, Eladh," Kalaya said as she stood next to the crib.
Eladh was next to her. A Dimnara, his skin was bright, almost translucent blue and arced antennae hung from his snow-white hair. He had been a crecheling himself once, but he was not one of the lucky chosen Padawans. Instead, he was conscripted to watch over the Temple's children. In his heart, he knew it was best. Eladh was no coward, but the life of a Jedi was not for him. He was honored to be allowed to remain within the walls he grew up in, and felt the Force had guided him to the right place; he had always had a soft spot for the younglings.
"I will care for him as I have the others." This phrase had become almost a credo for him, yet he did love each of the children equally.
Kalaya was about to leave when a commotion began in the hall. She and Eladh exchanged annoyed glances. They knew who was coming.
In just a moment, a tall woman charged into the room. It was Atash Ora, a member of the Jedi Council and Master Yoda's former pupil. She liked to think that her tutelage under the venerable Master gave her privileges over others. Many, including Knight Segun and Eladh, thought she was overbearing and a poor example of a Jedi. They were more pleased with Yoda's current Padawan, a hard-working dedicated lad, if a bit formal.
Atash approached them, gazing down at the smaller woman and the baby.
"Another new one?" she said as she pushed past.
"Yes, Master, another crecheling, just as there often is." Kalaya was not afraid to let her scorn show in her words. They all knew Atash was only there to spy on Kalaya. She did not approve of the way she conducted herself, far less seriously than Ora. She was also threatened by the interest shown in Kalaya concerning a retiring Master and a soon to be vacant seat on the Council. Kalaya was not long ago knighted, and it was unusual for one so young to even be candidate for such a position. Atash took every opportunity to harass her.
"What's this, Pon?" She referred to Eladh by his surname. Atash had noticed the toy feline beside Qui-Gon and grabbed it. "Shouldn't this be in the rec area? None of the initiates are to think of the toys as their own."
Due to his little friend being snatched and the volume of the room, Qui-Gon had waken and begun to cry. Instinctively, Eladh lifted him and rocked him on his shoulder.
Kalaya grabbed the toy back. "Qui-Gon has clearance to keep his parent's gift."
"Does he now?" Atash sneered. "That should be the Council's decision."
"Yes, Master Yoda issued the approval, but take it before the Council if you like." Kalaya knew Atash would never go up against her old Master's orders, and she was right.
Atash huffed. "Very well, as long as he doesn't make any trouble over it." She backed down and without excusing herself, left the creche.
"He's not the one causing trouble," Kalaya muttered when she had gone.
Eladh had been walking Qui-Gon around trying to hush him before he woke the others, only marginally successfully. Now he lay him back in the bassinet and Kalaya replaced the furry figure and pulled his mother's blanket over him. Qui-Gon was asleep in moments.
"She is out for your head, Kalaya. You had better watch out," the caretaker murmured.
"I can take care of myself. Besides, she can't do anything to me. I haven't done anything wrong, and she's just going to have to learn to live with that."
"Just watch out, or she might tattle on you to Master Yoda." They both laughed softly at this. Yoda may have taken Atash as his Padawan learner, but he nevertheless liked Kalaya and would judge her on her own merits, not someone else's ideas of her.
"I've got to prepare for my next mission. Good-bye, Qui-Gon. Good luck," she said as she touched his little head. "I'll see you later, Eladh."
"Good-bye, Mistress." Kalaya rolled her eyes at the title Eladh sometimes referred to her by though she had asked that he not.
Kalaya went into the hall. She was not worried about Atash, but she did wonder what the spiteful woman would try next.
******
The younglings crawled around the floor. It was one of Eladh's favorite sights. The innocence of a group of playful children was as dear to his heart as a sunset or the rush of a long, cool river.
Yet he frowned. In the corner, Qui-Gon sat by himself holding his stuffed animal as if it were his only friend. In truth, it was. Qui-Gon was new and had no friends yet, but Eladh was sure he would soon. Either way, he had not the heart to take away the boy's comfort. It would take time, but Qui-Gon would fit in. Friendships would blossom and grow. It would not take long to start.
Eladh sighed. The tot looked so alone, but he would be patient.
He turned his mind to the day ahead and the tasks he must attend.
******
Qui-Gon crawled toward the blue area in the distance. The green space he scurried over felt good in his hands - soft - like his little friend, whom he was dragging along with him, but he had crawled all over that and wanted to explore something else.
Getting to the edge of the green blades, he looked at the blue patch. Something in his head stirred and seemed familiar. He did not realize he was recalling a weak memory of a lake he had been to near his home. Not feeling any fear, he reached out and watched his little hand sink into the blue water. It felt cold and he pulled back. There was something - wetness - on his hand. He touched his cheek and then it was there too. He reached out again and brought it down on the water hard, splashing and giggling as water went everywhere.
Then he got another idea. He wanted his friend to feel it too. Still giggling, he pushed the stuffed toy in. "Pwash!" he cried out as he also tumbled in up to his waist. He screamed and splashed about, unaware of the ruckus he made.
Eladh was not so unconscious of Qui-Gon's activities. He came over and lifted the boy from the pond. "Qui-Gon, what are you doing?"
"Bwash!" he yelled at his guardian, waving his arms as if he were still splashing.
The Dimnara shook his head. "Well, it's good to see you are enjoying your new home." He tucked the toddler into his arms and bent to retrieve the sopping toy, shaking his head again. "Look what you did to him." Qui-Gon simply laughed.
At bedtime, once the younglings were tucked in, Eladh made sure Qui-Gon was lying down and brought him the animal he was so fond of. The child reached for it hungrily, but Eladh held it back. "Shh, quiet, young one. I need you to sleep." He touched the little head, tiny eyes blinking tiredly, small hands curling up as if understanding what was asked of them. Eladh set the dry plaything next to his young charge, satisfied with his quiet, immature desire for it.
Qui-Gon was happy his friend was back and smiled quite contentedly. It felt differently than he was used to. It always made a warm feeling in his mind, but now he felt it in his hands as well. He did not know it was simply from being dried.
******
Imperturbable Serenity
*New*
Qui-Gon slept the whole ride home. Kalaya had thought the baby would fuss much more, especially after breaking from his family, but his unexpected serenity only further supported her guess at his strength in the Living Force. Only once did he briefly wake, only when his single possession was dropped on the floor.
"Mama?" he cried and reached for Kalaya's face.
"No, Qui-Gon, I'm not your mother," she said gently and retrieved the toy, placing it in his grasp again.
He curled small fingers around it as before and said, "Daddy." Kalaya crooked a smile when the boy recognized the animal's maker, and she was glad when he rested and fell into slumber once more.
*
She was not surprised to find Master Yoda waiting at the entrance when she entered the Temple.
"Ah, here at last he is," he said of the new child as Kalaya held him out to the old Master.
"His name is Qui-Gon Jinn. I believe he is strong in the Living Force, stronger than I am."
A small clawed hand gestured to the boy's small companion. "Hmm, what is this? Forbidden possessions are. Learn early the young ones must, or difficult letting go becomes. Know this you do."
"It is a gift from his parents. He was as upset as they were. It was the only thing that relaxed him. Look at him." Qui-Gon still slept. "It was the only way he /could/ let go. Please, don't take it from him."
"Inappropriate it is. Wish to cause him difficulties, do you? Jeopardize his place with the Jedi?"
"No, of course not, Master, but I won't part him from a piece of what he is."
Yoda peered at the babe intently, then closed his eyes. Kalaya felt the Force swirl as the strongest of Jedi called upon it for guidance. When his eyes opened again, she inquired, "What do you see for him?"
"Clouded, his future is. Difficult his life will be, but with or without the Jedi, I do not know." He mused a minute more. "Solace he will need." With a small nod, Kalaya knew Qui-Gon was given permission to hold on to the precious piece of his heritage.
*
In the creche, Qui-Gon's information was transferred to the Temple's system and a new bassinet set up for the addition to the Jedi's numbers.
"There you are, little one. Another for you to watch over, Eladh," Kalaya said as she stood next to the crib.
Eladh was next to her. A Dimnara, his skin was bright, almost translucent blue and arced antennae hung from his snow-white hair. He had been a crecheling himself once, but he was not one of the lucky chosen Padawans. Instead, he was conscripted to watch over the Temple's children. In his heart, he knew it was best. Eladh was no coward, but the life of a Jedi was not for him. He was honored to be allowed to remain within the walls he grew up in, and felt the Force had guided him to the right place; he had always had a soft spot for the younglings.
"I will care for him as I have the others." This phrase had become almost a credo for him, yet he did love each of the children equally.
Kalaya was about to leave when a commotion began in the hall. She and Eladh exchanged annoyed glances. They knew who was coming.
In just a moment, a tall woman charged into the room. It was Atash Ora, a member of the Jedi Council and Master Yoda's former pupil. She liked to think that her tutelage under the venerable Master gave her privileges over others. Many, including Knight Segun and Eladh, thought she was overbearing and a poor example of a Jedi. They were more pleased with Yoda's current Padawan, a hard-working dedicated lad, if a bit formal.
Atash approached them, gazing down at the smaller woman and the baby.
"Another new one?" she said as she pushed past.
"Yes, Master, another crecheling, just as there often is." Kalaya was not afraid to let her scorn show in her words. They all knew Atash was only there to spy on Kalaya. She did not approve of the way she conducted herself, far less seriously than Ora. She was also threatened by the interest shown in Kalaya concerning a retiring Master and a soon to be vacant seat on the Council. Kalaya was not long ago knighted, and it was unusual for one so young to even be candidate for such a position. Atash took every opportunity to harass her.
"What's this, Pon?" She referred to Eladh by his surname. Atash had noticed the toy feline beside Qui-Gon and grabbed it. "Shouldn't this be in the rec area? None of the initiates are to think of the toys as their own."
Due to his little friend being snatched and the volume of the room, Qui-Gon had waken and begun to cry. Instinctively, Eladh lifted him and rocked him on his shoulder.
Kalaya grabbed the toy back. "Qui-Gon has clearance to keep his parent's gift."
"Does he now?" Atash sneered. "That should be the Council's decision."
"Yes, Master Yoda issued the approval, but take it before the Council if you like." Kalaya knew Atash would never go up against her old Master's orders, and she was right.
Atash huffed. "Very well, as long as he doesn't make any trouble over it." She backed down and without excusing herself, left the creche.
"He's not the one causing trouble," Kalaya muttered when she had gone.
Eladh had been walking Qui-Gon around trying to hush him before he woke the others, only marginally successfully. Now he lay him back in the bassinet and Kalaya replaced the furry figure and pulled his mother's blanket over him. Qui-Gon was asleep in moments.
"She is out for your head, Kalaya. You had better watch out," the caretaker murmured.
"I can take care of myself. Besides, she can't do anything to me. I haven't done anything wrong, and she's just going to have to learn to live with that."
"Just watch out, or she might tattle on you to Master Yoda." They both laughed softly at this. Yoda may have taken Atash as his Padawan learner, but he nevertheless liked Kalaya and would judge her on her own merits, not someone else's ideas of her.
"I've got to prepare for my next mission. Good-bye, Qui-Gon. Good luck," she said as she touched his little head. "I'll see you later, Eladh."
"Good-bye, Mistress." Kalaya rolled her eyes at the title Eladh sometimes referred to her by though she had asked that he not.
Kalaya went into the hall. She was not worried about Atash, but she did wonder what the spiteful woman would try next.
******
The younglings crawled around the floor. It was one of Eladh's favorite sights. The innocence of a group of playful children was as dear to his heart as a sunset or the rush of a long, cool river.
Yet he frowned. In the corner, Qui-Gon sat by himself holding his stuffed animal as if it were his only friend. In truth, it was. Qui-Gon was new and had no friends yet, but Eladh was sure he would soon. Either way, he had not the heart to take away the boy's comfort. It would take time, but Qui-Gon would fit in. Friendships would blossom and grow. It would not take long to start.
Eladh sighed. The tot looked so alone, but he would be patient.
He turned his mind to the day ahead and the tasks he must attend.
******
Qui-Gon crawled toward the blue area in the distance. The green space he scurried over felt good in his hands - soft - like his little friend, whom he was dragging along with him, but he had crawled all over that and wanted to explore something else.
Getting to the edge of the green blades, he looked at the blue patch. Something in his head stirred and seemed familiar. He did not realize he was recalling a weak memory of a lake he had been to near his home. Not feeling any fear, he reached out and watched his little hand sink into the blue water. It felt cold and he pulled back. There was something - wetness - on his hand. He touched his cheek and then it was there too. He reached out again and brought it down on the water hard, splashing and giggling as water went everywhere.
Then he got another idea. He wanted his friend to feel it too. Still giggling, he pushed the stuffed toy in. "Pwash!" he cried out as he also tumbled in up to his waist. He screamed and splashed about, unaware of the ruckus he made.
Eladh was not so unconscious of Qui-Gon's activities. He came over and lifted the boy from the pond. "Qui-Gon, what are you doing?"
"Bwash!" he yelled at his guardian, waving his arms as if he were still splashing.
The Dimnara shook his head. "Well, it's good to see you are enjoying your new home." He tucked the toddler into his arms and bent to retrieve the sopping toy, shaking his head again. "Look what you did to him." Qui-Gon simply laughed.
At bedtime, once the younglings were tucked in, Eladh made sure Qui-Gon was lying down and brought him the animal he was so fond of. The child reached for it hungrily, but Eladh held it back. "Shh, quiet, young one. I need you to sleep." He touched the little head, tiny eyes blinking tiredly, small hands curling up as if understanding what was asked of them. Eladh set the dry plaything next to his young charge, satisfied with his quiet, immature desire for it.
Qui-Gon was happy his friend was back and smiled quite contentedly. It felt differently than he was used to. It always made a warm feeling in his mind, but now he felt it in his hands as well. He did not know it was simply from being dried.