Chapter Title: Wait and Worry
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
Ages in this chapter: Tanner (9) Dashen (15)
POV: Miss Sanya (Tanner's teacher)
Chapter Summary: Several months into (former Jedi apprentice) Tanner's new life in Koalin, he gets stranded at school waiting for news on Dashen, who didn't show to pick him up from class.
I sat with the child long after school hours had ended. Worried for him. He had waited for his brother to arrive as promised. The brother had not come and it was dark now. Not safe for one so young to make the half hour walk home. I had to decide what to do with him. I was unable to escort him home myself. Our schools had strict guidelines for teachers about leaving school premises with a student, unless there was a case of extreme emergency. I did not sense this was such a situation, although something clearly was amiss.
"Try calling your brother once more, Tannerlin."
Still no response.
"Is there anyone else you can call?"
There was a slight hesitation before he said, "My uncle. We stay with him, but he doesn't answer either."
My youngest student looked up at me where I sat in my office chair. Even seated, I was tall for him. Being a cousin race to those of the water world, Kamino, I was particularly streamlined and extremely tall. Tannerlin was small for his age, and sitting next to me, looking upward was a requirement to meet my large green eyes. I smiled gently towards him and tapped his arm with one of my dark brown-skinned hands. The child was distraught. It didn't take a Force sensitive being to realize such, though that is what I was. I believe he knew. Those with the ability can sense and feel others with the same. My ability, however, was limited to feelings, emotions and moods. I had no actual talent to utilize the Force…as my student did.
It was true, I did know what he was. I did not know the complete story behind it all, but I could always feel the essence of a Jedi. And I had met many during my years prior to my own residence here. Then the Jedi purge happened and somehow this child ended up here on the planet of Terra. This 'brother' he could not currently locate was not a true brother. Not by blood at least. I sincerely doubted that the 'uncle' was direct relation either. Not that any of this was my concern. I had no need to influence how my students lived away from school. Tannerlin Vai Lesedi was willing and respectful, intelligent, and hungry for knowledge. It's what I wished of every student, no matter the background they bring with them.
This child however, was unique. He was also not completely emotionally stable. He worried more than the average child. Certainly part of it was his age, being only nine standard years and only having joined my class three months prior. But there was so much more to him. Somehow the Jedi purge had left him stranded on Terra, where he had seemingly made the beginnings of a new life. Whatever the tragedy that had left him here would be the catalyst for that emotional instability, I was certain. An instability that bubbled higher as additional time passed and there was still no communication from his brother.
"Something happened, Miss Sanya. Something bad. Why else would Dashen not come?"
"You cannot assume that, Tannerlin. Perhaps he had a delay at work and is simply unable to communicate to you."
Tannerlin shook his head. "No. I would have…my uncle would have come to get me."
"Do not assume the worst. As it happens, there are situations when obstacles of the world commonly get in the way. Obstacles that we cannot avoid no matter how hard we try. I am certain that your brother is well."
"I don't think so. He promised he would be here. Dashen never breaks a promise. Never."
There was intense trust in a boy that wasn't truly his brother. I didn't know much about Dashen Lesedi. I'd met him once. He was careful and protective when it came to Tannerlin. And it was after that meeting when I confirmed for certain that they were not related by blood in any way, as they shared not a single physical attribute. The relationship mattered not to me. They considered themselves as brothers. Dashen, although only fifteen, was listed as the child's guardian. A statement that I had no reason to question as there was no official age for temporary guardianship on Terra. Legal guardianship was another point, but most anyone could stand as a temporary guardian. There were slight doubts in my mind however about Dashen's ability to raise such a child. I felt the older boy had issues of his own that had not yet come to terms. Yet I could not deny the bond that lay between them. Here, however, at this moment, something was amiss with Dashen Lesedi and Tannerlin had planted himself into well churned worry.
"Miss Sanya, maybe I should call the hospital. Maybe my brother got hurt. My uncle knows a healer who works there."
The hospital had no knowledge of Dashen Lesedi as a patient. The healer Tannerlin spoke of was unavailable. Worry became distress. Distress became anxiety. Another hour passed. The child tried contacting his brother several more times. Still nothing. He sat now, quiet. The sofa in my office had become his planting. Knees pulled to his chest, he rocked himself slightly and every so often a hand would move to his young face and wipe at his eyes. I could feel how desperately he was trying to maintain his control. His Jedi control.
As I had said, I knew what he was, but at the heart of it all, he was still a child of nine. And no matter what he used to be or what power he may or may not have, the innocence and purity of that youth could not be denied. He was but a small child desperately fretting for his absent family. His only family.
Again he made calls. Again there came no response. It was very late now. As much as I didn't wish to believe it, I began to feel that something foul had come the child's brother.
I offered him what I could, careful to keep my own uneasiness hidden from view.
"Tannerlin, as we cannot reach your family and I am not permitted to escort you home, you will stay the evening here in the office. I will remain so that you are not alone. As you know, we are not permitted to leave a child alone at the school."
He nodded, knowing the rule and accepting. I'd taken an oath when I had become a teacher, that my students would never be without, if I could assist. And so I prepared for my newest and youngest student to house safely here in my office for the overnight.
I left him be on the couch as I took advantage of the extra time to plan my studies for the remainder of the week. Work I usually would conduct at home, but the exception had come. Tannerlin curled on the couch in his school clothes, along with a small blanket that I had located in the healer's office next door. Always kind and polite, Tannerlin thanked me and futilely attempted to find sleep. I tried the comm for his brother and uncle once more. Still no response. I worried for my student. I worried for the safety of his family. It pained me horribly to see the such a tender soul so distraught. He clung to his comm unit as he closed his eyes, fingers pressing the number of his brother every so often. There was still no sign of Dashen Lesedi.
The boy sat upright late into the evening before coming to sit in the chair beside my desk. His voice was small and pained and he began to fear the worst. Or rather, beyond the worst. Not that his brother was hurt or just simply late, but that he had actually deserted him.
"Miss Sanya...maybe Dashen is gone forever. Maybe...maybe he can't be my brother anymore. Maybe...he left me and I..."
The boy sensed my knowledge of his home situation with far more trust than I expected, though I immediately ceased him from retreating any further down that devastated path of thought. "Nonsense, child! Why would you think such a thing?"
"Dash would answer if he could, or wanted do. Uncle Colton would too, I don't know...but maybe...maybe he..."
"You think too much at times, Tannerlin. Overthink, you do. That's not always a positive, young one. I have met this brother of yours. He is different and unique, but he loves you very much. Do not ever doubt that he does. Understand?"
"Yes, Miss Sanya. I do. I'm sorry. I didn't mean...I'm just..."
"No need to be sorry, young one. Now, you sleep. I have lessons to finish before tomorrow morning."
A look of sincerity came over the troubled face and he bowed his head slightly. Respectful. A Jedi custom I assumed. "Thank you for helping me, Miss Sanya. For staying with me."
"You are welcome, now go lie down and rest."
He did, and he tried. Sleep, however, would not come. I permitted my own eyes to rest as I lounged in my chair. I quietly meditated into a series of long-flowing deep breathing exercises that were, without warning, loudly interrupted by a physical body slamming through the door of my office. That body saw it's target and moved quickly toward.
Dashen.
"Mouse, gods I'm so sorry. I got stuck on that job in Cinder and had to call for help, Colt...Uncle Colton came for me and then we got tossed into a cell by the locals and no comm and..." Tannerlin had immediately recognized his brother before the doors finished closing behind him, the story began and he had propelled himself into Dashen's arms as he continued. "I begged for them to just give me one stupid call so I could tell you what was happening, and they wouldn't and then we had to give statements...just one damned call was all I needed, but those people they just...gah! Idiots! I was worried sick about you. I knew you would be fine here, safe, but I knew you would worry and I was worried that you would be worried and...okay, okay. You're all good, right?"
The older boy held the younger away finally, after his rambling had ceased. Tannerlin's eyes were rimmed with fresh tears. So many thoughts having gone through his head during the time his brother had been missing. But now, they had found each other and all would be well.
"I thought bad things, Dash, really bad things. I'm sorry. I didn't know and I couldn't reach you or Uncle Colton. I thought...I thought maybe you'd left me. That you were gone forever, just like..."
"Left you? Like, left you, left you? Forever and for good? Ha! No chance, Mouse."
Another embrace, one less desperate than the first, before the boys turned toward me. Older brother keeping the younger one close.
"Miss Sanya, thank you for helping me. You didn't have to, but you did."
"You are most welcome, Tannerlin. I am pleased that all has resolved. Dashen, he has had a trying evening, you make certain he rests."
The older boy stared at me as if attempting to figure out where I fit in their lives. How much he could share with me; how much he trusted me. How much I knew. I suppose I passed his test because he offered me the most genuine of smiles and warmest of words before they departed.
"Tannerlin thinks the world of you, Miss Sanya. I believe I do too. You didn't have to do what you did, so thank you for looking after my little brother when I couldn't be there."
"Rest well." I offered a gentle bow and bid the pair good evening. I too needed the repose. Long days leading to longer evenings and now into an overnight. I was much too old for late excursions. Hopeful I was however, to be a small positive in Tannerlin's life. I knew he had much pain. Much worry. Many troubles. But I also saw that he was well loved by the one he worried most about.
I myself would worry about him no longer. Be there I would, however...if the time came again.
END
