Chapter 17 up.

Disclaimer: STAR WARS belongs to George Lucas.

Chapter 17
IN THE MORNING

"Jeran, wake up."

"Wake up, Jeran."

"Unnhh…"

"Wake up, sleepyhead. Rise and shine."

"Whaa…? Whadayya doing here?"

"Me? You're in my sitting room, remember? On my sofa. So get up now before I am forced to take extreme measures."

"Uh-huh."

Jean pulled the blanket higher over his head. He rolled over and almost fell out of the narrow couch.

Arianne stalked over and ripped the blanket off her friend. "Jeran! Get up before I boot you lazy bum out of bed!"

Groaning, moaning and sighing, Jeran slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Is this how you always treat your guests, Ari? Rude wakeup calls and threats? Such marvellous hospitality."

"You're a special case, Jeran," the woman replied as she threw the blanket at him. "Besides, you deserve it for waking me in the middle of the night."

Jeran pulled the blanket from his head and – somewhat stiffly – got up from the sofa. He stretched, yawning widely.

"Cover your mouth when you yawn, Jeran."

"Caf?"

"Over there." She gestured at a pot on the crowded table. "Breakfast?"

"No thanks. Just caf will do."

"But I'm making scrambled eggs."

He picked up a clean mug and poured brown liquid from the pot into it. "All the more reason for me to skip breakfast."

Arianne made a face at him. "C'mon Jeran. I'm learning. Sabie's helping me."

At that moment, her apprentice came out of her room. The Twi'lek spared both adults a glance before she resumed rooting around in her bag, which was emitting a buzzing sound. "Morning." She looked at Jeran. "It's o-kay. At least the food isn't carbonised anymore."

She fished out a buzzing comlink and disappeared back into her room.

Jeran raised the steaming mug and inhaled deeply. He relaxed, slumping against the kitchen cabinet. "Ahh, caf." He took a sip and frowned. "Arianne, it tastes like caf flavoured water."

"I always drink it that way. It you have a problem with it, fusspot, make your own."

He shrugged and poured the contents of the mug down the sink as soon as Arianne's back was turned.

Sabie'nhra came into the kitchen. "Maia's coming."

Arianne was cracking eggs into the frying pan in a most careful manner, as though the simple act of just touching them would cause them to break. Jeran looked over her shoulder with interest.

"Whatever for?"

The girl shrugged. "Wouldn't say.'

The doorbell rang. "That's her," Sabie'nrha said and opened the door.

A red-brown whirlwind rushed into the room, swiftly enveloping Sabie'nhra, whirling her round and round.

"Maia! What's wrong? Let go, you're making me dizzy."

"It's brilliant!" the redhead screamed as she almost squeezed her friend into two. She glanced at the kitchenette and spied her Master-to-be trying to blend in with the wall.

"Jeran!" she screeched and almost collapsed his ribcage again. She beamed up at him. Her clothes looked like they were hastily thrown on and her hair stuck up in all directions, uncombed.

"I couldn't sleep at all I was so excited and I was wondering if we would get new quarters like Sabie and if I get my own room and when can we go on missions and I want to go to Alderaan and, and…" She paused to catch her breath.

Jeran, who hadn't managed to understand a word, said, "Huh?"

"Did you ask the Council?" Her eyes were wide with anticipation.

"No."

Her face fell. "Why not?"

"Maia, do you expect me to go knocking on Master Yoda's door at 0300 hours in the morning?"

She glared obstinately at him. "Yes."

"Maia, you are a nightmare and it's not even twenty-four hours yet."

"As your Padawan, it is my duty to be your worst nightmare."

"As my Padawan it is your duty to let go of me before I end up in the Healer's Wing with broken ribs."

"Oh." She released him and backed away.

"Thank you." He hurried away to put the kitchen table between him and Arianne. He expected her to either get overexcited or get weepy. He needed no further hugs and if she started crying again he'd high-tail it out of there.

But much to his surprise, she didn't react at all except to turn to Maia and ask her to help Sabie set the table. He still continued to watch her warily and chose the seat furthest from her at the table as they all sat down to eat scrambled eggs (with pieces of eggshell) and toast. The eggs tasted alright despite their rubbery texture.

Throughout breakfast, Maia insisted on peppering him with rapid fire questions. She didn't wait for any answers though and went on to the next question so fast that it amazed him how she managed to eat throughout the entire 'interrogation'; she was speaking so fast, hardly taking time to breathe.

"Maia," he interrupted when she finally slowed down a little. "Calm down,okay?"

She huffed and seemed to deflate a little. "Okay. I'm just so happy, y'know. It's like I can't keep it inside; I feel like running around and screaming and jumping." She sighed and closed her eyes.

Arianne laughed. She stopped almost immediately and continued with her breakfast.

Both children couldn't stay to help clean up; they were almost late for class so they grabbed their bags and dashed out of the rooms with hurried "Goodbyes."

Jeran cleared the table and helped Arianne clean up. She washed the dishes and rinsed before handing them to him to dry.

"So…"

"Hmm?"

"You got a Padawan." She beamed at him. "I'd give you a hug but I know you've had enough of those and I'd get soapy water all over you. Congrats."

"Thanks. So you win now. How much are you getting from Salis?"

"Huh?"

"You made a bet, didn't you?"

Her long black had been tied back so that it did not get in the way, so that when she shook her head it swished across her shoulders. "Nah, we didn't bother. Salis agreed with me so couldn't really bet about anything."

"Oh."

"You think you're ready?"

"No."

"It's alright. I wasn't either. We're both stuck here now until they're of age, you know?"

Blast. He hadn't thought of that.

"Don't worry. I'm sure they'll keep us busy enough. I think I've already got white hairs and it hasn't even been a week."

…………………………………………………………………………………………...

He stood once again in the circular Council chamber, but this time he didn't feel angry; he felt nervous, as though he was a small boy again and he'd been called before the twelve esteemed Masters to answer for some misdemeanour.

"You requested to see us, Knight Vàner?"

"Uh, yes."

"Our answer remains the same. You are suspended from any missions until further notice."

"It's not about that Master. I have accepted your decision." He caught sight of Master Yoda's crinkled, green grin and felt a bout of conflicting emotions as he considered whether to hug the tiny alien or to toss him out of the window.

"And?"

"Ah, about apprenticeship…"

"Hmm," the Korun Master steepled his fingers together as he fixed his shrewd gaze on the nervous knight. "You wish to take an apprentice? A Padawan?"

Yoda's grin was getting on Jeran's nerves. "Yes."

This time it was Master Yoda who spoke up. "And who would that be?"

"Maia. Maralaia Vestarii."

"Agree with this, she does?"

"Yes, Master."

Yoda's ears twitched as he gazed at the Knight. The grin was gone.

"Hmm…Agree with you, the Council does. Take the girl as a Padawan, you may."

Okay, so at the rate I'm going maybe I won't be able to accomplish my target of 10 chapters by end November, but I'll try and update as much as I can. You see, I won't be around during December, I'm going away…again… (not that I mind).

So, please read and review, as always, and have a nice day (or night).

May the Force be with all of you.