"Thank you very much Garen, that was quite… energetic. Obi-Wan?"
"Yes, Master Nu?"
"We are going to clear the front of the room, and then you will present your monologue from The Politician's Dilemma next, so please begin preparing yourself."
Obi-Wan gulped, feeling sharp streaks of anxiety poke through his stomach. "Yes, Master Nu," he whispered. He nervously scratched at his chin as he watched his friend Garen collect the props he had so animatedly thrown across the room during his own presentation. Feeling his stare, Garen glanced up from his task and gave Obi-Wan a quick wink before resuming. Obi-Wan tried to smile back, but decided he should move his mouth as little as possible. After all, he thought, it would be quite a shame to throw up before he even got to the front of the room, wouldn't it?
Instead he settled for watching Garen Muln collect the last of his props, envying the total lack of inhibitions his young friend possessed. The boy's presentation had been delivered at the highest possible volume and had been filled with an array of movement and faces, despite the fact that he was supposed to be presenting the story of humble farmer from Alderaan. In all honesty, Garen would have been far more suited to Obi-Wan's own part, that of a passionate senator seeking aid from the Republic, a part that called for a grand and emboldened presentation for which Obi-Wan had no stomach. He fidgeted in his seat, mentally rehearsing his lines yet again, the ones he had practiced for hours and hours throughout the past week.
I stand here today, having faced tumult and turmoil, to show you the plight of my people.
Obi-Wan took a breath, trying to imagine himself as the brave senator who fought for his people. He supposed the man had been impressive; legend had it that he once jumped through a ten-story window in order to chase down a spy who had stolen his movement's plans.
Obi-Wan snorted. Then again, what kind of fool throws himself out of a window? How uncivilized.
"Obi-Wan? Time to present. Please step forward."
Obi-Wan shot up, tripping over his chair as he made his to the front of the room. He could feel the amusement of some of his classmates, and did he best to block out the silent laughter, rehearsing yet again.
I stand here today, having faced tumult and turmoil, to show you the plight of my people.
Far too quickly, he found himself at the front of the room facing his classmates. He stood ramrod straight, pushing down his anxiety only to have it bounce back again.
I stand here today, having faced tumult and turmoil, to show you the plight of my people.
He could do this. If he could just make it through the first line, the rest would come smoothly. He took a breath. He stood straighter. He opened his mouth.
"I-" He hesitated. What was the line? Had it really deserted him? It was something about standing right? Yes, yes that was it.
"I stand here today," he started. Excellent, he used the right verb and everything.
"Having faced tumult and turmoil-" Was that the right order? Or was it turmoil and tumult?
"-To show you the people of my plight." He blinked. That definitely wasn't right was it? His people weren't his plight, they were having a plight? Could you have a plight? Goodness he was saying "plight" a lot...
"Er I mean the plight of my people," he hastily amended. "Because obviously my people aren't my plight. They have a plight. They're being plighted, actually. But they are most certainly not my plight. Because I'm trying to fix their plight."
Oh dear. He had a plight of his own now. Force, he had to stop saying plight.
He quickly glanced at Master Jocasta Nu who was looking at him with a strange mixture of pity and consternation. Move on, she mouthed.
"So um, the plight of my people." What was the next line? "Yes," he continued. "They most certainly have a plight. And uh.." Force, what was the line, what was the line, what was the line-
"AND I HAVE COME," he suddenly shouted, "TO CALL UPON THE REPUBLIC FOR AID."
Excellent! He remembered. Although seeing the startled look on his classmates he may have screamed that last part a bit too loudly...
He cringed, recalling the next line and nearly whispering, "We look to our friends in this time of great need.." Stars end, now that was too soft.
Clearing his throat he repeated. But now what was the line after? "We look to our friends in this time of great need...and...and look for help with great speed, indeed, in all our deeds."
What? That wasn't the next line! Obi-Wan felt what little color was left in face drain away. Oh Force. He had just blurted out a rhyme from a song all the younglings were taught in the creche. Well, perhaps our Force forsaken senator knew that little tune as well, who knows.
He could tell his classmates were both and confused and amused by his little spectacle. Though they were Jedi younglings, taught from the moment they could walk about compassion and respect, he knew his performance must be testing even their well-trained limits. Even Master Nu seemed to be torn between stern correction and unfettered laughter.
Obi-Wan gulped, color now rising to his face. Should he finish? How could he even finish? Maybe he should break down completely and sing the rest of the nursery rhyme to his classmates, it wouldn't be any more foolish than what had transpired so far...
"Obi-Wan, " Master Nu interrupted standing with his script in her hand. "Perhaps you should just come take your script, hm? You will be docked points but at least you'll finish."
Shamefaced, Obi-Wan began to walk towards Master Nu. However, the Force had not yet finished with him. Distracted by his nerves and failure, he failed to spot a stray marble left over from Garen's performance.
Of course he slipped right on it.
/
"Obi? Obi can you hear us?"
Obi-Wan cracked one eye open, confused. Why was he in bed? There was still sunlight pouring through the window.
"Obi, it's Garen and Bant! Wake up!"
Feeling a bit more alert, Obi-Wan turned to see his two friends bouncing by his bed. His bed, in the Halls of Healing. Blinking, he asked, "Garen? Bant? What happened?" He suddenly shot straight up in bed. "My performance! What-?"
Garen shifted sheepishly on his feet. "Um, about that Obi. Well, you see, you already having a bit of a rough time of it-"
Bant pushed Garen out of the way, rolling her eyes. "This dunderhead didn't clean up all his props, and you slipped right on a marble!" She patted his hand gently. "You hit your head pretty hard and ended up in here." She patted his hand again. "We had to stop class to bring you up to the Healers, but they said you only have mild concussion."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Wonderful."
Recovering from his momentary guilt Garen bounced excitedly by the bed. "But wow, Obi,that was a great performance!" Seeing his friend's jaw drop he continued, "It was super memorable! I have paid that much attention in Master Nu's class in ages."
Flopping back onto his pillows Obi-Wan rolled his eyes again. "Well I'm glad I was such a source of amusement to you."
"Oh, Obi-Wan don't feel bad!" Bant said. "You aren't the first person to be nervous for a presentation, and Master Nu said she'll let you try again." Bant paused as she saw the look of horror pass over Obi-Wan's face. "She did say she would probably work with you a bit more before you do though. "
Obi-Wan sighed and closed his eyes. Well, at least he could cross negotiator off of his list of career options.
/
Present Day
"Oh Master Kenobi, that's horrible!" Ahsoka said before slapping Anakin on the shoulder; the young man was currently doubled over laughing while his master glared at him.
"Ah yes, my humiliation is always so funny, Anakin," he grumbled before turning back to Ahsoka. "Don't feel too bad though. Master Nu did give me the opportunity to redo my performance after some additional tutoring, and I did quite well." He cast another glance at Anakin whose laughter was slowly subsiding as he rubbed the area where Ahsoka had hit him. "However, I do disagree with Master Nu's claim that my performance was the worst one, don't you think, Anakin?"
Sobering immediately Anakin glared at his former Master. "Mine was not that bad, Obi-Wan, and you know it."
"Well perhaps I'll just tell Ahsoka what happened and she can decide…"
"You weren't even there!" Anakin exclaimed.
Obi-Wan smirked. "Well then, perhaps you should tell us what happened."
Realizing he had once again been out-negotiated by the Negotiator Anakin gave in. Crossing his arms and giving a rather petulant huff he snapped, "Fine, I'll tell you what really happened."
/
I was just going to make this story one chapter, but hey! More of these three nerds is always good, right? Stay tuned for a rousing rendition of Anakin's performance! Thanks for reading and please review! :D