Massively huge apologies for my prolonged absence! But I'm alive I promise! I've just been drowning in 6 and 7-year-olds for the past month and half. Trying to teach them how to read and write and do math and stuff. And trying to find time to write amidst the endless paper grading, lesson planning, and falling asleep on the couch at 8 pm. I've seriously slowly been writing this chapter for about a month now but just finally had the free time to finish it. Hopefully it's not choppy because it was written in pieces and I know it's not my best but I really wanted to get something out after being MIA for so long. Anyways, on to the chapter.
Summary: An increase in dosage of pain medication causes Iyla to escape the Healing Halls and end up in the Archives. A confused and horrified Master Nu finds her and the whole temple has to deal with the fallout from her misadventure.
Chapter 21: Delirious Data Sorting
Master Jocasta Nu had seen a lot of strange things in her time as the Master of the Archives. Fully grown Masters thumping the sides of holocomputers that didn't give them the results they wanted, Knights requesting access to questionable material, Padawans falling asleep in study stations, younglings turning all of the holograms at the same time resulting in a cacophony of voices and overlapping information. Even someone trying to steal one of the busts from its stand. That was certainly a strange one.
But, Jocasta mused, she'd never seen anything quite like this before.
She was just about to close up the archives for the night when she felt a presence lurking around the Mid-Rim Cultures section. Jocasta frowned in confusion. She swore the archives were empty not five minutes ago, when she'd started her closing up routine. Whoever was there had just arrived and somehow slipped in unnoticed. Who would be here so late and when most of the lights were out? Didn't they realize the archives were closing? It was fairly obvious, she thought.
The intruder didn't get the hint though and continued to lurk and linger. Master Nu sighed and made her way through the stacks of datapads.
"I'm sorry but the archives are closing for the night," she said turning the corner to approach whoever it was who snuck in. "You'll have to come back tomo-" she cut off when she saw who it was.
Padawan Iyla Kenobi stood in the middle of the aisle staring at a shelf of Mid-Rim Culture holobooks with a furrowed brow. She looked as if she was just perusing but as Jocasta got closer, she noticed that the girl was in her nightclothes and looked to be wearing slippers issued by the Healing Halls. What in the Force was going on?
"Padawan Kenobi?" she asked. "I'm closing up for the night, young one. If there's something you need help with, come back in the morning and I'll assist you."
The teenager didn't respond or even look at her. Instead, she floated down a datapad labeled "Nal Hutta" and started muttering to herself.
"Are you researching for an assignment? Iyla?"
"Wrong," Iyla muttered.
"You're not researching for an assignment?" Jocasta asked looking confused.
"It's on the border. Contested in some circles. Outer-Rim seems more appropriate." The datapad floated away across the aisle and down the next row of pads to the Outer-Rim Cultures section.
Another pad followed and soon there were four or five datapads floating around to different sections of the archives. Master Nu watched as her sacred system was completely reorganized before her eyes.
"What is going on here?" she snapped finally having enough. She was fond of the girl who was polite, had a thirst for learning, and often helped out on her downtime. She had a soft spot for the curious Padawan but she had to draw the line somewhere.
"Biological similarities should be grouped together," she said as if that answered Jocasta's question.
"Statistical Analysis shouldn't even exist. We'll banish you to the back rooms." The datapad Iyla had been holding quickly sailed over to a locked door and hit it with a thud before falling to the ground.
"Padawan!" Master Nu shouted. "Stop this at once!"
Iyla walked out to the center of the room where the holocomputers were and looked around a bit in all directions. "Hmm, theoretical healing practices of the expansion region…Ah yes, healing arts or scientific theories?" she paused and looked to her left. "Scientific theories. Never been fully proven," she decided and a stack of datapads sailed off to a shelf out of sight.
Master Nu was trying to control her annoyance and get the girl's attention. Clearly something was wrong and the slight flush to her cheeks was concerning. She was sweating and murmuring under her breath not seeming to have any idea that the Master was even there. Jocasta glanced down at the healer-issued slippers again and it suddenly started to become clearer. The child was delirious and sick.
Slowly and carefully, as if approaching a skittish animal, Master Nu drew closer to the feverish Padawan. "Let's get you back to the Halls, young one," she said moving to touch Iyla's arm.
Iyla jerked back violently and shook her head. "Not done yet," she replied. "Never leave a task unfinished."
"Tonight that doesn't apply," Jocasta reassured her. "This is not an assignment, Padawan."
"No, have to keep going. It's all wrong!" she replied.
Master Nu drew herself up at those words, offended by the audacity of the child. Sick or not, have some respect for the Master of the Archives at least. Her mind flashed back to decades ago when the other Kenobi had dared to question her competency as well. She scoffed. Like father like daughter.
She was about to open her mouth and snap back at the younger Kenobi when someone came skittering into the room looking frantic. Ahsoka Tano took in the night-clothed Padawan whose eyes were glazed over and looked to be shivering.
"Thank the Force, Iyla," she breathed out then seemed to notice the numerous datapads floating around the room. "What in the world is going on?" she asked looking confused.
"That's what I'd like to know," Jocasta replied with a piercing look. "Why is your Padawan, who is clearly ill and delinquent from the Halls, completely rearranging my archives?"
"I'm so sorry, Master Nu, she was-"
"Oh, thank goodness," another voice interrupted. "Master! I found her!" Anakin Skywalker stood by one of the tables and motioned to someone at the door.
A frantic Obi-Wan Kenobi came striding in and breathed a sigh of relief. "Iyla! There you are! We've been searching for the past thirty minutes, darling. What in the blazes are you doing here?"
"Astronavigation goes with star charting which goes with route mapping…" Iyla replied.
"Iyla? Kiddo? Can you hear us?" Ahsoka asked.
"Saber forms! Almost forgot. Alphabetical or by discipline? Hmm…"
"I don't think she's fully aware," Anakin observed.
"Is she even awake?" Ahsoka asked getting closer to her.
"Sleep walking?" Anakin asked.
"She's clearly delirious," Master Nu spoke up. "She's been muttering to herself since I found her. The only time she acknowledged me was when I tried to get her back to the Halls. She flinched away from me."
"It might be the medicine," Obi-Wan stated with a tilt of his head and a raise of an eyebrow.
"A bad reaction?" Ahsoka asked moving to stand behind the girl who was still lost in her own rearranging task.
"Perhaps," Obi-Wan replied. "We need to wake her up."
"Aren't you not supposed to wake up a sleep walker?" Anakin asked.
"Well we can't very well leave her here until she wakes up," Obi-Wan replied.
"But what if she reacts badly? Like Master Nu said. She might jerk away and hurt herself or something. We need a plan," Anakin said.
"I'm coming in from behind. If she falls or goes limp or something, I'll catch her," Ahsoka said.
Obi-Wan nodded. "I'll try to get through to her. Anakin, stand by in case she react violently and starts to sway away from Ahsoka. Master Nu, if you don't mind, can you stand on her other side? Then we have all of our bases covered for any possibility."
Jocasta nodded and positioned herself on Iyla's right side. This was by far one of the strangest things to happen in her archives and she really needed an explanation as soon as possible but she didn't want to see the girl hurt herself so she stood ready to catch her should she fall.
Obi-Wan positioned himself in front of Iyla and started calling out to her. "Iyla," he said loudly and firmly.
Iyla stopped for a fraction of a second and her eyebrows furrowed but she didn't stop floating around the datapads.
Obi-Wan tried again. "Iyla, wake up," he said forcefully.
The datapads froze in the air around them and Iyla cocked her head to the side.
"That's it, darling. Wake up," he encouraged.
"P'pa?" she mumbled looking confused. "Wha…"
"You're sleepwalking, love, you need to wake up."
"Wake up?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, love, wake up," he replied.
One by one the datapads fell to the floor, all four Masters ducking out of the way in order to not get hit in the head. Master Nu couldn't help flinching every time one hit the ground picturing it cracking and breaking. The damage could end up being significant. She chanced a glare at Kenobi Sr. He'd be getting a bill to split with Tano.
Iyla seemed to have snapped out of her delirious data sorting but still seemed a bit fuzzy and disoriented. Obi-Wan eyed Ahsoka and nodded then looked to Anakin as well.
"Iyla, Padawan," Ahsoka said.
"Soka? What? I…I…" Iyla asked now looking around with clearer eyes. "Why…?"
"You escaped the Healing Halls, kiddo," Ahsoka said chuckling a bit.
"Papa?" Iyla asked again looking at him in confusion. "Where am I? What's goin' on?" she asked looking a bit panicked.
"Shh, dear, it's alright. Let's get you back to the Halls."
"Don' feel good," she shivered and went to pull her robe tighter around her. "Where's m'robe?"
"Back at the Halls, Padawan. Let's go get it," Ahsoka said stepping up to put an arm around her.
Iyla nodded and sagged against Ahsoka a bit as she let her Master guide her out of the room.
"Do you think she'll remember what happened?" Anakin smirked.
"I don't know. But I do know she's going to be incredibly embarrassed and remorseful when she finds out," Obi-Wan replied then turned to Master Nu. "I do apologize, Jocasta. No one noticed she'd slipped out until she was already long gone."
Jocasta stared at him and looked unimpressed. "Can either of you explain what is going on?" she asked looking from Anakin to Obi-Wan.
Anakin shrunk back a bit. Master Nu had always scared him a bit. Obi-Wan didn't shrink away but he did look nervous under her gaze.
"Iyla's been recovering from a blaster wound to the side from her and Ahsoka's most recent mission. The pain was bothering her a great deal so Vokara gave her a half dose more painkiller than she had before and, well, I guess it might have been too much," he said rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"Enough to cause her to wander down here and start rearranging my entire system?" Jocasta replied raising an eyebrow.
"Apparently," Obi-Wan said wincing. "Is the damage extensive?"
"Monetarily, no. But she did mix up a lot of the sorting and categorization. It will take a while to clear that up," she answered.
"I'm so sorry," Obi-Wan said again. "I know Iyla will be willing to help put it right again once she's recovered. She's going to feel terrible about all of this, I know."
Jocasta's face softened and shook her head. "I don't blame her. I don't blame anyone really. Except maybe the medication. She's a good girl. Poor thing looked very ill. Do assure her that I am not upset."
"I will, Master Nu, thank you," Obi-Wan said with a bow. He stood up and looked hesitantly between the datapads on the floor and the archives door. "I will help you clean up," he said then moved to do so.
"Oh, I'm sure Skywalker can do that," Jocasta said with a smirk.
Anakin snapped his head over to them and looked a bit like a fish out of water then shook himself and bowed. "Of course, Master Nu," he said.
"Yes, Skywalker will assist me. Go see to your sick young one, Kenobi."
Obi-Wan smirked at his former Padawan then flicked his eyes to Jocasta and saw a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Thank you, Jocasta," he said before leaving the room and Anakin behind.
"I did what?!" Iyla squeaked from her bed in the Halls. "Oh Force, Soka! How am I supposed to ever set foot in the archives again?"
"You'll be fine. This will all blow over in a few days," Ahsoka replied reassuringly.
Just then a sandy head peeked on the doorway but was pushed out of the way by a brown-haired blur.
"Hey, Leia!"
"Is it true?" Leia said rushing into the room.
"How did you two manage to get past Master Che?" Ahsoka asked folding her arms.
"We might have snuck in," Luke replied looking sheepish but with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Who cares about that," Leia said getting closer to the bed. "Is it true you rearranged the entire archives in your sleep?"
"Wearing only your underwear?" Luke giggled.
"What? NO! Who's saying that?!" Iyla exclaimed.
Luke and Leia smirked and exchanged looks.
Iyla glared and snarled at them. "You kriffing little-"
"Ok, ok, calm down," Ahsoka said putting her hands up in a placating manner.
"But, Master! They're telling people I was in my underwear!" Iyla said with wide eyes.
"No, they're not," Ahsoka replied. "You're not, right?" she asked turning a stern look on the twins.
"No, Auntie Soka, we were just teasing," Luke replied cowering a bit at her look.
"Luuuke," Leia whined. "You weren't supposed to give it away so quickly!" the 11-year-old pouted.
"Sorry, but Auntie Soka looked really mad and she might'a told Daddy and then we'd be in real trouble," Luke explained.
Leia didn't reply but seemed to agree with him.
"So…you haven't been telling people I was in my underwear? And the whole temple doesn't know about it?" Iyla asked hopefully.
"Oh, no, the whole temple knows. But the underwear thing was just a joke," Leia replied.
"The whole temple knows?!" Iyla practically shrieked.
"Yeah…word kinda got around…" Luke said rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Iyla groaned and pulled the covers over her head. "Just kill me now, Soka. Please."
"Stop being so dramatic," Ahsoka said rolling her eyes.
"But Soka…wait," Iyla said lowering the covers. "How exactly did everyone find out?" she asked with narrowed eyes and a scowl at Luke and Leia.
"I have no idea," Luke said looking away awkwardly.
"That's it! I'm gonna-" Iyla lunged out of bed towards them.
Ahsoka caught her mid jump. "Stop!" she commanded. "Trouble twins, out. Padawan, sit."
The three of them stared each other down silently for a moment, Iyla frozen in her Master's arms and seething.
Ahsoka fixed them all with a glare sending the twins running and Iyla retreating back to the bed.
"You're still recovering," Ahsoka scolded. "Do you really want to stay here any longer than necessary?"
Iyla shrugged. "Might be better than showing my face around the temple anymore," she muttered.
"You'll have to leave sometime, kiddo."
"When I'm knighted?"
"I'm not sure the entire Council can fit in this room to perform the ceremony," Ahsoka smirked.
Iyla sank back into the pillows with a pout.
"Relax, kiddo, I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think," Ahsoka said putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
But it was. It really, really was.
Luke was right. Word had gotten around about her late night archives escapade. Padawans passing in the hallways side eyed her and whispered to each other. Various Knights tried not to smirk as they watched her hurriedly make her way down from the Healing Halls, head down not daring to look anyone in the eye.
She felt everyone's burning stares and traces of amusement in the Force around her and practically ran to hide in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. With any luck she'd make it to the east fountain without encountering anyone she knew. She could hide away for a day or two and let it all blow over. Maybe she could convince someone to bring her some food and a pillow. She can camp out a bit. She'd done it before. Not that long ago either when she and Ahsoka were stranded in the jungles of some random planet they happened to crash land on after one of their missions. A few days of camping out wouldn't be bad. Plus, the Room of a Thousand Fountains was much nicer conditions than the humid swaps she'd had to endure a few months ago.
She hurried up the moss covered steps that led to her safe haven only to be met with the sight of her three smirking friends. Iyla groaned and turned to run away again.
"Oh no you don't," Shona said grabbing her arm and pulling her up the last step.
"Just leave me alone to die in peace," Iyla sighed dramatically flopping down next to Nari who suppressed and eye roll.
"Coughdramaqueencough," Nari replied.
"Shut up, Nari. Like we don't all have to suffer your love sick swooning over Padawan Keller," Iyla replied.
"My swooning is at least a real dilemma. This isn't even that big of a deal. So you rearranged half the archives in your pajamas while drugged up on pain meds? It's hardly the weirdest thing to happen around here," Nari replied.
"Yeah, remember when Master Vos ended up getting stuck in the ventilation shaft trying to hide from Master Yoda and had to be cut out? And he was half naked," Flynn pointed out.
"That's pretty normal for Master Vos though, to be fair," Iyla said inclining her head.
"True, but the point is that weird things happen here all the time. This is just the most recent one. There will be others, trust me."
"But Flynn, everyone in the temple knows!" Iyla whined.
"Everyone in the temple always knows everything. Jedi are the worst gossips in the galaxy. This will all blow over as soon as someone else does something weird. Don't stress about it."
"Great. Can you go do something stupid then so it can be over already?" Iyla asked flashing her big blue puppy eyes at him.
Flynn had to suppress his desire to go along with it as he'd do anything for her, but his often dormant self-preservation reared to life.
"No can do. I'm on thin ice with Master Dume as it is," he replied.
"What did you do now?" Shona asked looking exasperated.
"Hey! This was not my fault."
Shona, Nari, and Iyla all scoffed.
"It wasn't! It's not my fault that I couldn't find the information I needed to complete my project," he said giving Iyla a pointed stare.
Iyla winced and looked apologetic.
"The project Master Dalkar assigned us three weeks ago?" Nari asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," Flynn replied scowling. "I've been a bit preoccupied, you know, having a life. Something you wouldn't understand, Nari."
"At least Master Offee doesn't have to worry about her Padawan not finishing assignments," Nari replied with her chin raised.
"Yeah, just one who daydreams and melts in class whenever Padawan Keller so much as breathes in her general vicinity," Flynn snarked.
"Shut up, Markus, at least I'm brave enough to admit my feelings for someone instead of-"
"Cut it out, you two," Shona intervened before anything more could be said. "Force, it's like mediating crèche arguments sometimes," she said rolling her eyes.
"Sorry mom," Flynn sassed.
"Watch it, kid," Shona said with a raised finger. "I have enough dirt on you to keep you in hot water with your Master until you're knighted."
"You'd just be incriminating yourself."
"No way. I'm the responsible one," Shona replied haughtily.
Flynn, Nari, and Iyla all coughed to cover their laughs.
Shona scowled and stuck out her tongue. "Little brats, all of you," she muttered.
"Anyway, I can't cause a problem for you, Iyla. Master Dume's already ticked off that I never finished my project. Well, never technically started it, but that's beside the point. My only saving grace is that half the class didn't finish either since no one knew where to look in the Archives because someone decided to get high off pain meds and completely screw up the system."
"I didn't do it on purpose." Iyla pouted at him.
"Though, I suppose I should be thanking you. We now have an extension on our projects until the Archives are properly put back to normal."
"Which will be when?" Iyla asked with a wince.
"No clue. But I'm hoping it's long enough for Master Dalkar to forget he assigned it in the first place. He is pushing 90 after all," Flynn smirked.
"In your dreams," Shona muttered.
"How bad is it?" Iyla asked wincing. "I don't remember a thing but apparently I did quite a lot of damage."
"The records weren't destroyed," Nari said as a consolation. "And no data pads were broken, except the one on Statistical Analysis."
"No real loss there," Iyla smirked.
"But…" Nari continued.
"But…" Iyla prompted.
"Well, the internal cataloguing system is completely offline because of the confusion with how everything is organized. The shelves don't match the computers anymore and it's messing everything up," Shona answered honestly.
Iyla groaned and covered her face in embarrassment. "Master Nu is going to kill me. I'll never be allowed in the Archives again!"
"And that's a bad thing because...?" Flynn replied.
"I actually like the Archives," Iyla answered looking forlorn.
"I'm sure Master Nu isn't upset with you," Nari tried to comfort her.
Iyla gave her a disbelieving look and a raised eyebrow.
"Not that you'd ever be able to tell," Flynn replied. "Does she ever smile?"
"Maybe not at you," Iyla replied.
Flynn stuck his tongue out at her and she returned it.
"There's only one way to find out if she's still upset. Let's go to the Archives," Shona said standing up.
"Oh no, no no, I'm never setting foot in there again." Iyla said crossing her arms and remaining firmly seated.
Shona rolled her eyes. "You can't avoid it forever."
"Watch me."
"How do you expect to get any coursework done without ever going to the Archives?" Nari asked.
"There's such thing as the holonet."
"We're not allowed to use the holonet for projects," Flynn pointed out.
"Papa's on the Council. He can make an exception."
"You really think he would?" Shona asked looking skeptical.
"No," Iyla muttered dejectedly.
"Alright then there's nothing else to do but go," Shona replied pulling on Iyla's arm.
Iyla allowed herself to be pulled up but let out a pathetic whine as she stood.
She dragged her feet all the way down to the Archives, hoping that if she took long enough they'd get there as they were closing. Shona caught on to her though and threatened to pick her up and carry her if she didn't walk faster.
The Archives were in a frenzy. Something Iyla had never seen before. It seemed that Master Nu wasn't enforcing the noise level restrictions that she normally would have. Various Knights, Masters, and Padawans were wandering around in confusion, looking at datapads in their hands, talking with each other, and searching left and right with scowls and annoyed looks on their faces. Iyla ducked behind Nari and didn't dare look anyone in the eye. If she was lucky, maybe she'd get to slip away without anyone noticing.
But, just as this whole situation had proved from the start, and just as her Papa always says, there's no such thing as luck. A snarky voice spoke up from behind her and she winced.
"Wow, never thought you'd be brave enough to show your face in here, Kenobi. I'm pretty impressed actually. I thought you'd stay far away. Especially since this whole thing is your fault," Moreck smirked.
Iyla rolled her eyes. "What do you care, Moreck? I didn't mess with the picture books section so this really shouldn't affect you guys very much."
Flynn let out a loud laugh and Nari snorted and threw a hand over her mouth.
Arie made a face at her and crossed her arms. "Have you come to do more damage? You're not in your pajamas though so I guess you can't."
"Was that supposed to be funny?" Shona asked looking unimpressed.
"Shut up, Reeve. So, Kenobi, how does it feel to have everyone in the temple mad at you? How's that Papa of yours getting on? I'm sure the council isn't too happy about yet another problem his wannabe Jedi daughter caused. Or your Master? Once the apprentice to the Chosen One now having to train a constant disappointment," he sneered.
Iyla sneered back but didn't respond. She really did feel quite stupid and like a screw up. Moreck knew exactly how to push her buttons and hit her insecurities. Was she really so easy to read?
"What, no come back?" Arie asked with a fake shocked look on his face.
"Is it because you know we're right?" Odwin grinned creepily.
"Hmm, finally learning to face the truth, Kenobi. 'Bout time you recognized you're a liability. Now if we could just convince-"
"Ah, there you are. I've been looking for you," A tight voice interrupted him.
All seven Padawans turned to see Master Nu standing to their left holding out a stack of holobooks. Iyla ducked her head and shifted her eyes to the floor.
"I'm so sorry Mas-"
"No, not you, Kenobi. Padawan Raff," she said turning to Moreck.
"Yes?" he asked in a bored tone.
"I have the holobooks you requested. Though I couldn't find the remedial piloting one, I apologize. But I will be sure to send it your way should it turn up," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Flynn chuckled while Shona, Iyla, and Nari exchanged smirks and bit their lips to keep from laughing.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't request a remedial piloting book. You're obviously mistaken," Moreck said with a glare.
"Oh, it wasn't you? Perhaps it was your Master who did then. Hmm, yes, I think it was. Something about a revoked license and a record number of infractions."
Moreck's ears turned red and he mumbled something under his breath.
"You said those were all someone else's fault," Arie whispered looking at him sharply.
"They were!" He hissed back.
"So, shall I contact your Master about the holobook or will you?" Master Nu asked with a straight face but a trace of a smile in her eyes.
"N-No Master. I'll let him know. Thank you," Moreck stuttered before hightailing it out of the Archives with Arie and Odwin in his wake.
Iyla and her friends watched with wide eyes as Moreck slumped away in embarrassment.
"That was amazing, Master!" Flynn smiled. "You really knocked him off his high horse."
"Did his Master really request a remedial piloting holobook?" Shona asked with a smirk.
"No, of course not. But I did hear his Master talking about how frustrated he is with his numerous tickets," she replied.
"So you lied to make him think you knew?" Nari asked looking slightly shocked and horrified but also impressed.
"Well, I do know about it, so it isn't really lying," Master Nu answered. "Plus, I do plan to send him that remedial piloting book when I find it. I'm sure his Master will appreciate it," she smirked.
"Master!" Iyla giggled. "I can't believe you took him down like that! That was amazing!"
"Yes, well. I have no tolerance for bullies. Padawan Raff has been terrorizing his peers for many years and, if you ask me, it's about time that someone gives him a taste of his own medicine. It could be good for him."
"And brilliant for us," Flynn laughed. "I never thought I'd see the Master of the Archives pull off such a stunt."
"I'm not a complete bore, Padawan Markus," she replied.
Flynn's cheeks colored and he shrugged self consciously.
"Thanks for standing up to Moreck for me, Master. I appreciate it. Especially after…well…" Iyla trailed off and gestured to the chaos around her.
"What's done is done, child. There's no reason to dwell on it," Master Nu replied.
"Well it's hard not to when everyone in the temple is dwelling on it," Iyla muttered.
"Jedi are terrible gossips," the old Master smiled fondly.
"I really am sorry, Master. I feel terrible about all the trouble I caused. I'm willing to help clean up and fix it though. Maybe between my classes or after training. I can get a head start on my assignments and come here in the evenings or maybe-"
"There really is no need to apologize, dear. It was hardly your fault. You were ill and not in your right mind. Don't worry. I'm not upset."
Iyla looked as if she didn't believe her. "But…I'd still like to help…"
"No need. I have two very enthusiastic and energetic helpers already," Master Nu winked.
The four Padawans looked around in confusion. Master Nu smirked and nodded toward the stack of holos across the room.
Luke and Leia were sorting datapads on a table looking miserable and thoroughly bored.
"Luke and Leia?" Iyla asked.
"Yes, they were recommended by your Master actually. She said they were hard workers who really wanted to help out their cousin."
Iyla chuckled and smirked in the twins' direction. Luke looked up and caught her eye then scowled and pouted. Leia shot a glare in her direction and Iyla waved teasingly.
That's what you get for the underwear joke, Iyla sent through their family bond.
Both twins simultaneously stuck their tongues out at her then immediately straightened up when they saw Master Nu's disapproving stare.
"Yeah, they look like you're doing a fine job on their own. I wouldn't want to disrupt their flow," Iyla replied.
"I figured you'd see it that way."
"So…you're sure you don't need me to help? I mean, I'm sure this is probably the craziest thing to happen in the Archives, like, ever," Iyla said sheepishly.
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," Master Nu smiled.
"You mean, there's been crazier things that have happened here?" Flynn asked looking shocked.
"I've been Master of the Archives for decades, Padawan Markus. Before you even existed. Before your Master even existed. Trust me when I say that this is not the first time something weird has happened."
"Really? So there's been other crazy things?" Shona asked looking eager.
"Like what?" Iyla asked, eyes shining.
"Well, I'll just say that weird and crazy run in your family, Kenobi," she smiled.
"Embarrassing stories about Papa?" Iyla said vibrating with excitement.
"Not just him. I could write a whole holo on your lineage alone."
"Embarrassing stories about Papa, and Uncle Anakin, and Grandpa Qui?" she asked wide eyed. "I have to hear your stories, Master! Please!"
"That is very valuable information, young one. But, I suppose, if you were to replace the Statistical Analysis datapad you feverishly threw against a door then I would-"
"Yes, yes, of course. No problem. I'll replace it!"
"By manually transferring the information from the data base to the pad?" Master Nu asked with a raised eyebrow.
Iyla grimaced and went quiet for a moment. Statistical Analysis was her least favorite subject and manually transferring an entire database of it is pretty much her idea of torture. But…if the fruits of her labor were embarrassing stories about her family? Well…perhaps she can suffer a bit for a few weeks.
"So, if I replace and retransfer the Statistical Analysis pad, you'll tell me funny stories about my family?" Iyla asked making sure the terms of the deal were set and clear.
"Every night you come to help, I will tell you a story. You have my word," Master Nu winked and held out her hand.
Iyla grinned and took the older Master's hand in hers. "Deal," she replied. "So…when do I start?"
"Is tonight too soon?"
"No way! Tonight isn't soon enough," Iyla chuckled.
Master Nu nodded. "I will see you tonight then, Kenobi."
"Looking forward to it, Master!"
"You were friends with Grandpa Qui's Master? What was his name again? Doogoo?"
"Dooku. And yes. We were…friends," Jocasta replied as she put a holobook on a stack to her left.
"Papa and Grandpa Qui never talk about him. But surely he's still around somewhere? Maybe I can meet him. He is part of my lineage after all," Iyla said, fingers feverishly flying over the data pad.
"Oh, I don't think that's possible, young one. He's not around anymore."
"Oh," Iyla said pausing her typing to look at Master Nu sadly. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright. He…he fell away and…well, anyway, he isn't part of the Order anymore so it is what it is," The old Master shrugged and turned to look away.
Iyla could feel Master Nu's melancholy at the loss of her friend. A deep sadness and regret that barely shone through the woman's shields. She gave her a moment then changed the subject.
"So, what crazy thing did Papa do here? Wait...do I want to know?" Iyla asked looking wary.
Madame Nu chuckled. "It's nothing like that, dear. At least not for him," she muttered.
Iyla's eyes widened. "Ok, that's definitely a story for another time."
"We'll see," Jocasta teased. She held up her hand to cut off the protesting. "Just keep transcribing, Padawan," she instructed.
Iyla scowled but turned back to her work.
"Now, I did promise a story, and I do intend to keep my promise. So, who would you like tonight's story to be about?"
"Papa! Definitely Papa," Iyla said perking up.
"Oh, I have many about him."
"Can I hear them all?" Iyla asked looking excited.
"I'm not sure we have time for that."
"Ok," Iyla said with a pout. "Then…how about your favorite ones? The ones that were the weirdest. The more embarrassing the better," she said rubbing her hands together in sadistic glee.
"Well, I certainly found him sleeping more than a few times," Master Nu said.
"Sleeping? That's not too bad," Iyla said in disappointment.
"Under tables. On top of tables. Curled up in a study hole. Drooling over a holo of Mandalorian courting customs and romantic poetry. Next to-"
"Wait, what?!" Iyla interrupted, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. She burst out a laugh and covered her mouth.
"Oh, yes. Your existence wasn't a shock to everyone in this temple, Kenobi," Master Nu smirked.
"Does he know?"
"I don't think so. I didn't want to embarrass the poor boy so I called his Master to come pick him up. As far as I know he's none the wiser that I knew his secret."
"Did he check the holo out?" Iyla giggled.
"No, but he did frequent that particular section for a while. I never mentioned it."
Iyla smiled at the thought of her Papa spending hours in the archives trying to find a way to be with her Mama despite their forbidden attachment.
"So, Papa fell asleep on a holo about how to court Mama. Anything else?"
"He and Master Vos used to play hide and seek here as well when they were younglings. I found him hidden among the statues trying to blend in. Then I found him huddled under an armchair and once even on top of a shelf."
Iyla laughed. "Sounds like Papa was as much of a trouble maker as Master Vos."
"Even more. The stories I heard from Master Jinn were enough evidence of that."
"I can't wait to tease him about this next time he gives me a hard time about getting into trouble."
Master Nu smiled and checked the chrono. "It's late, young one. Time to head back to your Master."
"Aww, just one more story, Master? Please!" Iyla begged using her big blue puppy eyes on the woman.
Jocata's face softened but she snorted in amusement. "Those things don't work on me, child. Now, off you go. There will be more stories waiting for you tomorrow."
Iyla sighed reluctantly and nodded. Jocasta watched fondly as the girl gathered up her things then stopped to thank her and promised to come back the next evening.
"Back to the Archives again tonight, kiddo?" Ahsoka asked as Iyla threw her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door.
"Yeah. Master Nu's got me working hard," she replied.
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. "It seems a bit excessive. Is this penance for messing up the archives?"
"No, Master, not at all. I volunteered. Don't worry. I'm enjoying it actually," she smiled.
Ahsoka's eyes narrowed. She knew her Padawan was one of the few in the temple who liked the archives and admired the stoic and stone-faced Master Nu. But a teenager spending all of her free time holed up in a library and not with her friends was a little suspicious. There had to be something else going on.
Iyla recognized the look in her Master's eyes and knew she was going to be prodded and questioned. She stuck a protein stick in her mouth and quickly rushed out of the room before any investigations could take place. She couldn't reveal the deal she and Master Nu had reached. If her Master, Papa, and Uncle found out that she was helping in the archives in exchange for embarrassing stories about them, they'd shut it down immediately. No. It was best to keep quiet about it.
Her station was already set up for her when she got there. Master Nu was helping a young Padawan a few sections away. Iyla started working right away not noticing the two nosy Initiates hiding behind a shelf nearby. Unfortunately the spies weren't as smooth as they thought they were.
"She's just sitting there. I told you there was nothing going on," a voice whispered harshly.
Iyla paused her typing for a split second and smiled to herself.
"There is, I know there is. When it comes to her there always is," a second voice insisted.
"I turned down a spar with Master Kestis for this," the first one grumbled.
"He'd have kicked your butt anyway."
"Hey! "
"She's right," Iyla answered with a smirk.
"No one asked you," Luke scowled popping up from behind the holobooks.
"Well, you were whispering loud enough for me to hear so I figured you wanted my input. Especially because you're here to spy on me."
"We're not spying. We're watching you," Leia said.
"Oh, right. Thanks for the clarification," Iyla said rolling her eyes. "Now, who sent you? Soka? She's really gotta get better spies."
"No, it wasn't Auntie Soka. It was Daddy. He and Uncle Obi are suspicious too. They want to know what's going on."
"Well, you're wasting your time because you're not going to find out. Might as well go get your butt kicked by Master Kestis, Luke."
Luke huffed and crossed his arms.
"Ah, Skywalkers," Master Nu greeted. "What can I do for you?"
"Nothing. They were just leaving," Iyla replied giving them a pointed look.
"Actually we…" Luke started but quivered under the glare of his cousin. "We were just leaving…" he smiled nervously.
Master Nu smiled knowingly as the twins scurried away.
"Now, shall we continue our stories?" she asked turning to Iyla.
"Of course."
"How about one of your great great grandmaster this time?"
"Grandpa Qui? Oh, yes please!" Iyla said turning to her in excitement.
Master Nu indicated for her to keep transcribing then began her story.
Iyla had a hard time concentrating on her job as she eagerly took in everything the older Master was saying. By the end of the story she was completely turned around in her chair, datapad long forgotten.
"Grandpa Qui and Master Tahl?" Iyla asked in shock. "I mean…I had a feeling there was something there but…they really did that in one of the study rooms?" she asked eyes wide and mouth open.
"It's not as elicit as it sounds, but yes, there was some…canoodling going on."
Iyla giggled at the idea of her grandpa cuddling with someone. "Sounds like Papa isn't the only one who broke the Code."
"It didn't go that far, but, those two definitely skirted the line. Which seems to run in your lineage. Jinn, Kenobi, Skywalker," she listed off.
"What about Master Dooku?" Iyla questioned eyeing the Master of the Archives with a smirk.
"I wouldn't know," Master Nu answered busying herself with a task.
Iyla chose not to comment and instead decided to press her luck. "So, what about a story about Uncle Anakin?" she asked hesitantly.
Master Nu must have been feeling generous, or was eager for a change of topic because she relented.
"Oh, this one is my favorite," she smiled. "You know that young Skywalker couldn't read or write basic when he first arrived?"
"Yes. He said Papa taught him. He brought him here a lot to read and practice."
"He did. Gave him many writing assignments and helped expose him to different forms of literature. One of those being poetry."
Iyla's face lit up. "I think I know where this is going."
"Even at a young age Skywalker had an…infatuation with Senator Amidala."
"Oh Force, I'm dying to know where this is going!" Iyla trembled with excitement.
"He was always rushing around from place to place. Leaving his things behind everywhere. And the archives were no exception. One day I happened to find one of his…assignments from your father. A poem written in basic to a certain senator…"
"I see you're finally free of Master Nu's clutches. Are we finally going to find out what it was that kept you there for so many nights?" Obi-Wan asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, it was nothing special, Papa," she smirked as she took a bite of her dinner.
"There has to be some reason," Leia said with narrowed eyes. "No one willingly spends that much time around Master Nu," she said making a face.
Iyla bristled. "I happen to enjoy Master Nu's company."
"You would," Luke muttered.
"But really," Leia continued. "What did keep you there so long? She wasn't bribing you, was she?"
"Not bribing. But we did have an…agreement."
"About what?" Anakin asked warily, recognizing the mischievous look in the teen's eyes. One he'd seen his Master have many times which always preceded something he definitely didn't want to know about.
"I agreed to transcribe the Statistical Analysis data on to a new pad," Iyla shrugged.
"In exchange for what?" Obi-Wan asked looking nervous.
"Information. All educational of course," Iyla replied smiling into her glass of water.
"Educational information?" Padme asked suspiciously.
"Oh yes, she exposed me to all kinds of stories and literature."
"Care to share an example?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Just some temple history. Stories about notable Masters and their…experiences."
"You're not going to tell us, are you?" Leia pouted.
"Well, there was an original poem written by a well-known Master. A revered war hero. It was in his early days but, it was very much ahead of its time."
"Stop avoiding the question," Luke huffed.
"Well, I can recite some of it, if you want."
"Please do," Obi-Wan said.
"Shall I compare thee to a bantha's hide? Thou art tougher and more resilient. Your eyes as wide and bright as twin suns. I'd walk through miles of sand for you all day, my dear, my darling Pad-"
Anakin started coughing violently while Obi-Wan threw his head back in laughter.
"What…how did…she knows about that?"
"The Master of the Archives knows all," Iyla smiled evilly.
"I'm disappointed I never received a copy, Ani. It sounds like a wonderful poem."
Anakin muttered something under his breath and turned his attention to his plate.
"Oh, Anakin. Don't be like that. I'm sure she never told anyone. Except now," Obi-Wan chuckled. "Master Nu has seen more than we could ever know and I'm sure she's full of stories about nearly everyone in the temple."
"You got that right," Iyla snorted.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Obi-Wan asked. "Did she tell you stories about anyone else?"
"No…" Iyla trailed off. "Well, maybe some stories about Grandpa Qui and Master Tahl. And some about a certain Padawan who was very interested in Mandalorian courting customs and romantic Mando'a literature…"
"She didn't."
"Oh, she did."
"I think I need to have a chat with Master Nu," Obi-Wan scowled.
"Careful, Papa. Don't want to upset her. She has a lot of information on you. But, if you do need a place to hide, I hear that pretending to be a statue or climbing on top of shelves is an effective method. Just don't fall asleep," Iyla grinned.
Obi-Wan grumbled about manipulating old Masters and backstabbing daughters as Iyla laughed and swiped a biscuit from his plate, biting into it with a huge self-satisfied grin.
I hope you all enjoyed it even though it wasn't as great as I wanted it to be or as good as some of my other chapters. But I'm just relieved to have something out for you all after so long. I truly don't know when the next chapter will be out but I'm starting to feel a bit more like my head is above the water instead of drowning. I'm hoping my busyness slows down as I get more and more into the swing of teaching. I actually had a Sunday afternoon to myself, which hasn't happened since August, so big improvement there and very promising. Anyway, let me know what you thought and as always, thank you for being such wonderful and amazing readers! I really do appreciate it!