Darsant Avat

Bubbles and Laughter and Young Hearts

Predictably, within two hours of telling Tahl the whole story of how he fell into a lake and a fish chewed on his lightsaber, everyone in the temple knew.

"It's not that funny," Qui-Gon groused.

"Yes it is," Tahl insisted.

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"Are you really going to be this juvenile?"

"Look around. Everyone is laughing at you."

Qui-Gon huffed.

"I mean, of all the fish you could have encountered, you had to find a fish that would actually break into your lightsaber hilt. The Force was with us on that one."

"So you can laugh at me?"

"Exactly so."

They were sitting in his apartment, Tahl on one couch and Qui-Gon on another, each nursing a glass of berry juice because both were in the mood for something sweet. Qui-Gon was filling out his report while Tahl looked through his datapads, her glass held away so she would not short-circuit them and cause Qui-Gon to lose everything.

"You are sure he is dead?"

"I saw him get swallowed," Qui-Gon said without looking up, "I know that there are creatures in this galaxy that take about a thousand years to digest something properly, but I'm fairly certain that this one's teeth would have chewed him to pieces before he even entered its stomach."

"Thank you for that wonderful image," Tahl tossed one datapad to the carpet.

"Hm!" Said Qui-Gon. He added a few editions to his report and set it down with a sigh to stretch his fingers. "Want to come with me to submit the report?"

"Sure," Tahl drained her glass.

They headed out into the halls. A master and his padawan passed by with a slight incline of their heads towards the pair. Qui-Gon and Tahl nodded back.

"I miss having a padawan," Qui-Gon said idly. "Maybe this year I'll attend the matches and see if there are any suitable younglings for me to take."

"I thought you didn't want another padawan. Too much work, you said."

"Well, yes, they are a lot of work, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it all the same. Some parts of it."

"You just want a padawan to cook for you so you wouldn't have to do it yourself."

"That too," He conceded.

OoO

Four days after Qui-Gon arrived back at the temple, he went to the healing wing to get some headache pills so he would not become feral in his search when he did have a headache. The floors were unusually sticky for a place where hygiene was very important.

"Initiates," Said the padawan at the front desk as she retrieved the drugs for him. "We've been trying to confiscate the bottles but the boy is a bit too clever for us, for now."

Qui-Gon ducked his head through the door just in time to catch Initiate Kenobi blowing more bubbles. The boy squeaked and tried to hide the bottle under his pillow, but it was too late. Around his bed, numerous little orbs popped with tiny splashes in the air.

"Don't Créche Masters normally wean you off these naughty tendencies?" The man asked as he walked into the room. Kenobi giggled, his laughter sounding like bells, and he kept the bottle behind him with an impishly stubborn grin. His legs were both in casts, and it was a wonder how the child could move at all with his lower body so immobilized. Some of the bubbles landed and stuck to his blankets.

"No!" He cried out laughingly, "Bubbles are fun! It's so boring in here, please? Don't take it away!"

"Give that to me, Initiate," Qui-Gon said sternly.

"Aw," The boy lifted the bottle and handed it to him obediently.

"If you are so bored," He went on, "You should try reading for your classes. You are missing coursework while you are here."

"I did," The child pouted a little, and then quickly added, "Master. I just got tired of reading. It's just a few bubbles. I don't know why everyone's so upset."

"Your bubbles are making the floor sticky, little one. They'd have to clean it more because of this." There was the faint smell of soap clinging to the area around the bed as the last few bubbles popped out of existence.

Kenobi seemed openly surprised. "Oh," He said in a tiny voice. "I'm sorry."

Qui-Gon smiled, wondering momentarily at the warm feeling in his chest. He reached forward to ruffle the child's hair. "Your name is Kenobi?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," The boy looked timid, as if afraid giving Qui-Gon a name for the prankster would get him in even more trouble.

"My name is Qui-Gon Jinn," He said. He was sure the boy had heard it before, but he might have forgotten.

"I remember," The boy smiled brilliantly at him, "You got me out when I was trapped. Thanks again!"

The man chuckled. Were all children this adorable? He did not remember it this way. "You're very welcome, little one. We were all very proud of you, do you know that? You were very brave back there." He smoothed his hand gently over the casts. "How are you doing?"

"I'm alright," Said the child, "It's sore and it itches, and I'm not allowed to move them." His hands fidgeted.

"Have you tried meditating?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes," The boy looked disappointed again, "But it's so distracting, and whenever I try it cuts in and I can't relax unless I'm tired, but then I go to sleep when I'm tired."

The warm feeling in his chest grew. "I can help you, if you want."

Kenobi's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Master Jinn?" The padawan from the front desk tapped the door. "Oh good, you found the bottle." She was holding his headache pills.

"Thank you, Padawan," Said Qui-Gon, handing the bottle over. He wondered where Obi-Wan had been hiding the bottle, but figured some things were better left alone. Kenobi watched them expectantly from the bed.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Master Jinn?"

"Nothing else. Thank you, Padawan." She bowed at him, and he nodded his head, watching her return to the desk.

Kenobi stretched his arms out to him eagerly once she was gone. He looked like he was requesting a hug, and was so enthusiastic that he started tugging at Qui-Gon through the Force to bring him closer.. "Can you help me meditate? Please? Please?"

OoO

Obi-Wan was not the easiest youngster to lead into a meditation. The boy was suffering from his broken legs, and it was translating to general restlessness. He made a valiant effort to control himself, but it was difficult for the boy. Qu-Gon spent several minutes just trying to get the child to calm down before they slipped into a mutual trance.

It was an absurd experience, being with Obi-Wan in the currents of the Force. The Light Side seemed to be laughing endlessly, singing and giggling in a chorus of childish voices, and there was nothing but light and joy, a sheer pleasure at being alive and a wonder at the galaxy around them. Qui-Gon found himself being led by the boy as they explored the dipping waves, being shown everything the child could think of, even though as a Jedi Master, he was familiar with much of what he was shown. Obi-Wan liked colors, liked songs, liked soft things and interesting things, and his attentions were unfocused, undirected, scattered in the energies around them. Yet there was an inherent integrity, and Obi-Wan never lost himself in the gentle chaos around them. A little imp, darting back and forth in the mighty Force, which regarded the child with a mix of baffled amusement and fond exasperation.

For his part, Qui-Gon had never felt so young. It was as if the child's own youth had seeped into him, so bright and energetic and untainted. It was a new experience, fresh and untried, and he had never met any child like this before. Obi-Wan was so enthusiastic and boundless, he was a bit overwhelmed.

Like all children, though, the youngling was not very aware of his own limits. The meditative trance faded quickly as the boy's energy wore out, and when Qui-Gon opened his eyes, Obi-Wan was sleeping soundly, breathing deep like a baby.

OoO

"You look happy," Tahl observed as they got some tea from the dining hall.

Qui-Gon's lips refused to stop grinning, even though his cheeks hurt. "I'm going to the Créche Master later."

"Why? I thought you were going to wait for the matches."

Qui-Gon did not answer.

"You have someone in mind already, don't you?"

He tried, he really did, but his grin only widened.

"I think it is the will of the Force."

"Who is it?" Tahl asked. "It's that child that was buried, isn't it? The one you went down for to free. What's his name again?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"He's a little young, isn't he?"

"Not too young."

"He's small."

"They're all small."

"You've already decided, haven't you?" Tahl breathed out. "Stubborn man. Very well. Go to your Créche Master. Why do you have to go, anyway? You can visit Obi-Wan whenever you want; there are no restrictions in that regard."

"I just want to learn more about him," Qui-Gon admitted, "I have a feeling he is an unusual child."

Tahl raised her eyebrows skeptically, so he explained the meditation session to her.

"No," She shook her head, "I don't think it's unusual. I think he's just a sweet kid, and he might have bonded with you somehow, for, you know, freeing him."

Qui-Gon chuckled. "That makes sense too." It did not change the fact that Obi-Wan was still special.

A spike of fear suddenly shot through his spine, and he jerked. What was that?

"Qui?" Tahl blinked. "What is it?"

Fear was quickly followed by rage. It was distant, not his own, but it felt very familiar, tingling with the hints of youth and innocence that Qui-Gon had been submerged in not long ago.

"It's Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon whirled around. Tahl was right behind him.

OoO

"Why don't you just leave me alone, Chun?"

"What is all this yelling?" The healers called out, before there was the sound of something crashing. "Initiate Kenobi, control yourself!"

"He started it!"

The remark was so familiar that Qui-Gon half expected to hear an elderly voice chirping, "I care not! It matters not! Unacceptable, your behavior is!"

Too bad Yoda would be away for at least another three days.

He reached out through the Force to Obi-Wan's bright presence. The child shied away from his touch at first, very irritated and harassed, but calmed down considerably once he realized who it was.

"I was just visiting," Another boy snapped, as Qui-Gon and Tahl made their way into the room.

"No he wasn't—"

"Enough, both of you!" The healer said furiously. "Whatever reason you have is not good enough for throwing the monitor across the room like that! Are you trying to kill him?"

"Yes," Said the boy standing in front of Obi-Wan's bed.

Obi-Wan blinked, and Qui-Gon sensed, inexplicably, that the boy had not meant to throw anything across the room at all, but the child was at a loss as to how to explain this.

"Your Créche Master will be hearing from me, young man," The healer said to Obi-Wan sternly, before turning to the boy. "And you as well, Initiate Chun. If you are incapable of avoiding antagonizing my patients by being here, take yourself out!"

"But—"

"Not another word from you!"

Chun scowled a little, but meekly left, and the healer turned her exasperated gaze onto Qui-Gon. "Is there something I can do for you, Masters?"

"No," Tahl said, "We just sensed a commotion and were wondering if there was anything we could do for you." Qui-Gon moved to help a padawan lift the shattered monitor.

The healer released a breath. "Well, the excitement is over, thank you for the offer nonetheless. I am going to ring up the créche."

Obi-Wan fisted the sheets, unable to raise his eyes. Tahl noticed Qui-Gon looking at him and briskly took over the cleanup.

The tall Jedi walked over to the boy and sat down at the edge of the bed. Around the child, the Force simmered in barely controlled anger. Obi-Wan was not releasing it as he should, which was a little worrying at this age.

Qui-Gon glanced around the bed for a moment, noting that there was a datapad on the floor. He used the Force to collect it and settled it on his lap.

"Obi-Wan," He said gently, "Can you tell me what happened?"

The child swallowed, still unable to lift his eyes. Qui-Gon reached out to smooth his hair gently. "Obi-Wan," He called again.

The Force rippled again, fear and uncertainty laced with crushing disappointment. At least the boy knew he was in the wrong, but it was just so odd. At nine years old, he should be able to rein in his temper better.

"Obi-Wan, I want to help you, but I can't if you won't talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about…Master Jinn." A tear dropped, and the child's fists tightened as if furious at the slip. "I messed up."

"You did," Qui-Gon agreed, restraining the urge to wipe the young cheek, "But I want to know why, so you won't mess up again, alright, little one? You didn't hurt anyone."

"I broke the monitor."

"You didn't hurt anyone, and that's all that matters." The same could not be said for whoever started the fire that crushed the boy's legs.

Obi-Wan remained stubbornly silent.

Perhaps the best way was to start himself, and let Obi-Wan fill in the holes in the story. Qui-Gon looked at the datapad.

"Is this yours?"

Obi-Wan nodded.

"Did you throw this at him?"

A shake. Negative.

"How did this end up on the floor?"

Another tear dropped. There was a misery in the Force now, mixed with indignation.

"Did he take this from you?" Qui-Gon asked.

Obi-Wan did not react, but it was an affirmative.

Tahl stood up, stretching her back. "I think there are still more shards. Is there a broom around here?"

"In the back," Said the padawan, "In the closet."

"Alright," She folded her bangs behind her ear and went to retrieve the broom and dustbin.

Qui-Gon glanced down at the datapad and turned it on. An essay flickered into existence, the last sentence unfinished and ending with a series of nonsensical characters.

"You were doing your homework," The Jedi Master realized. "He took it from you." It is hard to use the Force to pull an item out of a physical grip, unless it was by surprise.

"He was deleting all my stuff." Obi-Wan wiped at his eyes, but still refused to look at him. His voice choked with restrained sobs. "He was going to delete the whole file. I couldn't get up. I wanted to stop him, break his focus."

"So you threw the monitor at him?"

The boy sniffed miserably.

"Why didn't you call for help?"

Obi-Wan sniffed again. "I didn't want to."

"You didn't want to?"

There was more to the story, but the child did not know how to articulate it. There was a despondent and resigned air about the Force now, as if the boy did not want to bother telling him the whole story. You wouldn't understand.

"Say it slowly," Said Qui-Gon, "You didn't want to call the healers? Is it because you thought they would be mad at you?"

A shake of the head. No.

"Is it because you…worry about what he would do?"

There was a slight hesitation at this, but the answer was still a negative.

"It's stupid," The child mumbled, lowering his head even more. "I'm sorry, Master."

"No, don't do that, don't give up on me." Qui-Gon lifted his chin. Why was this child so resigned? Had he had this problem before and no one listened? "I want to know, and anything that makes you this upset can never be stupid, understand?"

Obi-Wan nodded, but he did not seem to believe him.

It had been years since Qui-Gon was his age, but he tried to think what a nine-year-old would do in this situation. A nine-year-old boy, facing a bully, and he did not want to call for help. An adult.

"You wanted to stand up to him yourself, right?" He guessed. "Because otherwise he would just make fun of you later, for running to adults?"

Obi-Wan finally gazed up at him, worrying his lip between his teeth.

"Stop that," Qui-Gon gently rubbed downwards on his chin to pull the lip out. "Listen to me, that is not stupid at all, but that doesn't make it right." The boy lowered his eyes again. "There's nothing wrong with finding help if you need it. There is no shame in that. You should have seen me, when I was nine years old."

It occurred to him that he had no reason to believe Obi-Wan was actually nine years old, other than that he looked like a nine-year-old, but Obi-Wan visibly perked up at this, and the estimate seemed correct.

"You know Master Yoda?"

"Yeah."

"Let me tell you a secret," Qui-Gon mock-whispered, "I use to be really really scared of bugs."

"Really?" There was that sweet smile again. "But only girls are scared of bugs…Oh!" The boy clapped both hands to his mouth as he realized how tactless the remark was.

How is it that he is so endearing? Qui-Gon smothered a laugh. "Yes, well, you can imagine how embarrassing that was for me! But one time, when we were at the Room of a Thousand Fountains, I found this huge cockroach. It was this big," He held his fingers out to about four inches, and saw Obi-Wan's eyes grow wide. "And this wide, and it was the scariest, ugliest cockroach I had ever seen. I didn't want to kill it, because it was an innocent cockroach, but it was such an ugly cockroach, and I wanted to get rid of it. I didn't want to touch it myself, so I went to get Master Yoda."

Obi-Wan's grin turned impish, anticipating the turn the story would take.

"Master Yoda was saying, 'Oh, what is this? Disturb me, you will, for a mere insect in a garden?' And guess what happened next?"

"What happened?" Obi-Wan's voice was breathless with excitement.

"He saw the cockroach, and screamed. He was even more scared of it than I was!" Qui-Gon held out his hand to remind Obi-Wan of Yoda's height. "At that point, I was a little taller than he was, so it must have seemed even bigger to him!"

Obi-Wan clutched his stomach as he collapsed in a fit of giggles, careful not to jostle his still healing legs.

"So there was Grand Master Yoda, waving his walking stick and yelling, and he called to one of the Jedi padawans, who removed with cockroach with a glare of disgust at both of us." Qui-Gon finished with a smile. "So you see, even the most powerful living Jedi needed help with a mere cockroach."

Obi-Wan bubbled with laughter. "It was a big cockroach though!"

"Yes it was."

He allowed the child to laugh a little longer, before getting back to the main point. "So you see, there is nothing wrong with asking for help, especially when you need it. Do you think any less of Master Yoda now, knowing that he needed help with a cockroach?"

"No," Obi-Wan smiled happily. "The cockroach probably did though."

"Perhaps," Qui-Gon was pleased, because this followed up with his other point, "But no one else cares what the cockroach thought of Master Yoda, just as no one would care what Initiate Chun thinks of you."

They fell into a contented silence, as Obi-Wan mused over the story.

"Are you still afraid of bugs?" He asked Qui-Gon.

Not very, after so many missions, but that did not mean he liked them. "I am, a little."

"But you're so big," The child said.

"And you are bigger than them too. Would you like to handle the cockroach I saw?"

Obi-Wan shook his head desperately. "No!" He laughed.

"That's the last of it," Tahl announced, giving one last sweep. She glanced at Qui-Gon. "What are your plans?"

Qui-Gon started to stand, which meant putting the datapad aside. Obi-Wan's expression instantly fell when he saw it. He might have something to think about regarding calling adults for help, but his homework was still tampered with.

"I think I'll help Obi-Wan with his homework," Qui-Gon said smoothly.

Tahl cocked an eyebrow.

"You have nothing else to do?" She asked unhelpfully.

"No."

He turned around, looking at Obi-Wan's gaping expression, and winked.

"Hopeless," Tahl lamented to herself as she walked out. "Totally hopeless."