Chapter Title: A Day in the Life
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
Ages in this chapter: Tanner (13) Dashen (19)
Chapter Summary: From within the netherworld of the Force, Ayden and Qui-Gon keep and eye on Tanner as he goes about his living day.
NOTE: (Qui-Gon and and Ayden's 'Force' voices are in bold italics.)
"They aren't very exciting days that your young padawan leads, Ayden."
"Yes, Qui-Gon, I understand, but I want to see what he's become. I know I saw him before, but..."
"No need to explain, old friend. He goes to school, listens intently, the perfect student. Comes home, does his assignments. Waits for his brother. Hugs that brother. Mealtime. They spend time together watching a holo film. Tanner may practice some Force exercises or meditation. Tries to use his brother for target practice. That never ends well. And then his typical day ends."
"It's how he was as a padawan. Did as asked, always with enthusiasm. Gave everyone in his life a brighter day. My time with him was the most cherished of my life, Qui-Gon. That it barely lasted two years, it still pains me."
Ayden Yen watched from within the Force. Qui-Gon had taught him so much. How to be anywhere. See anything. The training was difficult and intense and more trying than anything he'd ever done. It was all worth it though, to see his (former) apprentice adapt and thrive in a life without the Jedi.
Qui-Gon Jinn saw the pride in the man's dark brown eyes as he watched Tannerlin Vai ready himself for school. The boy grabbed his bag and bounded into the tiny kitchen where his brother-not-brother, Dashen Lesedi waited for him.
"Hey, Mouse, I gotta run. Three jobs today. I might be late. Be good in school." The older boy ruffled the plain brown hair of the younger, grinning broadly.
Tanner ducked but got his hair mussed anyway. "I'm always good in school, Dash."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I can't wait to hear all about it."
"You're such a bad liar."
"I know that too." Dashen grabbed his own bag, clipped on his wrist-comm, slid the virbo-knife inside his belt and straightened his tunic. "Okay, I'm good. Later, Tanner."
As Dashen headed for the door, his footfalls slowed just enough... waiting... waiting... for those three words...
"Love you, Dash!"
There they were! Every morning like clock work.
Dashen smiled and shouted. "Love you back, Mouse!" And he was gone.
Ayden reached up to wipe as his eyes. Apparently one could get misty within the netherworld of the Force. Emotions and all that.
"He is so true to himself, Qui-Gon. Always was."
"Perhaps not the best Jedi candidate."
The younger Master sighed. Qui-Gon was not wrong. There had been concerns about Tannerlin prior to Ayden taking him as an apprentice. He'd been so young and he was prone to quick emotion. None of that emotion had been anger or rage or anything of the dark variety, but Ayden knew that there were options for Jedi other than working the field. Places where that boy could flourish within the Temple. Truth be told, he'd been consciously training Tannerlin less for field missions and more where his strengths actually sat. Absorbing data, information, learning, listening.
"You know, it didn't take me long to see that he would never be one for the field. He was small and cared so much about every little thing. Off world missions with lightsabers and blasters and chaos... no, he was never destined for that. Our time together was cut so short, I never did get the opportunity to find his exact talent."
"He'll be a teacher here in Kaolin one day. Everything he's told Obi-Wan and the manner with how he soaks up information, there's no doubt. Not to mention his love of helping people and wanting to make them better. As you said, he cares about everything."
"A teacher. How could I not be proud of that?"
A large man with long blond hair came through the apartment door. Virgil Colton. He towered over the undersized Tannerlin, but it was less intimidation than size difference.
"Young one, I am heading to the Rathskeller early this morning. You'll ride with me." There was no option given and Tanner offered no argument Ayden noticed. The boy was under full protection from this man. So when it came to getting him to school quickly and safely, Tanner accepted without quarrel.
"I'm ready, Colt. Dash is working late. Should I walk home?"
Colton shook his head. "No, I'll have Kebrey see you home. Usual time."
"Did he get his new boots yet?" Tanner asked curiously as they walked out the door and down the steps.
"He did. How'd you know his old ones were lost?"
"He was rather depressed the other day, so I asked him. Said he was in a a scuff and lost them when the sinking-sand tried to suck him under. They were his favorite boots."
Colton set a large hand on the boy's shoulder and sheltered him into the waiting ground car. "You hugged him, didn't you?"
"Of course. The man had lost his boots! That's a big deal."
The big man grinned. "Kid, you are something else. Let's get you to school."
From with the Force, Ayden couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, definitely, not a field Jedi."
"Indeed not. But that he cares enough about a friend who simply lost his favorite boots? He is a unique soul, Ayden."
Colton dropped Tannerlin off and the boy hurried in to be early for class. Always ten minutes early. Front seat. Eyes forward. Waiting. Eager. Hungry for knowledge.
His fawn brown eyes took it all in. Watching the teacher, listening to answers that the other kids gave, usually knowing when they were wrong, but wise enough to understand that there was far too much that he himself still had to learn. Even wrong answers were cause to improve.
Ayden found himself smiling the entire school day. Tanner was unassuming. To the other students in the class, he was no different. He neither flaunted his love of learning, nor chided others for being the exact opposite. The teacher knew what each was capable of, she knew Tannerlin was special in that regard. She even referred to him as a sponge during their brief after-school meeting. He'd asked permission to stay thirty minutes extra to wait for his ride home. Kebrey had left a comm telling him to stay in the classroom until he arrived.
"She knows what he is, Ayden. The teacher does. I think I told you that before. It was only right that she knew, in case there should ever be danger because of it. She treats him as she does all others, except yes, he is a sponge."
"Always has been. Even I had a hard time keeping up with his need to learn during our time together. Absorbs everything, no matter."
"It's too bad Obi-Wan hadn't learned in that way. He was hard headed and stubborn in his early years."
Qui-Gon's words were set with fondness. Ayden found them funny.
"Word was, Qui-Gon, he was a lot like you. You also were known for being a bit hard headed and stubborn, were you not?"
"Hmmm. Perhaps, Ayden, we have strayed from the point?"
Ayden grinned and they set off to wait for Tannerlin to complete his day. The boy bounded to the speeder when Kebrey Pacus arrived at the school. Greeting his friend with a huge smile and enthusiastic wave. They arrived home, Tannerlin hurried from the vehicle after a quick shared story about old used boots. Then he skipped up the stairs to his apartment.
Home assignments were next. Tannerlin grabbed a snack and his data-pad. A team assignment had him connected with two other fellow classmates. Together they worked quickly to finish the assignment - each child offering an equal piece of the work before signing off. Tanner then curled up on the couch to wait for his brother.
An urgent comm message alerted him. Ayden was surprised that he could feel the boy's anxiety from beyond.
"Is that normal, Qui-Gon? Can you feel Obi-Wan when something happens?"
"When his anxieties are at their highest, yes. We were well tuned in with each other for many years, so it does not surprise me. But you had limited time with Tannerlin."
"True, yes, but he attaches quickly. He and I bonded almost instantly. But... something is wrong."
Something was wrong. Colton came thundering up the stairs at the same time Tanner's comm sounded.
"Tannerlin, with me now. Come."
"Colt, what's happening? That was Dash's comm code, what..."
"Your brother had an accident. He's at the hospital. Quin is treating him. We must go."
"But, Colt... is he..."
Colton turned and knelt in front of the boy, meeting him eye to eye.
"Tannerlin. I don't yet have all the details. What you know, I know. No more questions. I have people working. It's okay. Follow me."
Tanner said no more as he set down and followed Colton's orders to the letter. When they arrived at the hospital, a extra tall, extra broad dark-skinned man was waiting for them.
"That's Colton's chief of everything. Sydenious Greyer. He's probably secured the hospital, or a portion of it. If there is a chance that whatever has happened was related to the boy being a Jedi, there will be no issues."
Qui-Gon reassured his friend who worried for his former apprentice as the boy raced to see his injured brother.
"Thank you, Qui-Gon. I will wait and see and hope all is well."
Inside the hospital, Sydenious led the pair to a sterile waiting area at the rear of the hospital. "Healer Quin will be here momentarily."
As they waited, Tanner's emotions ramped up and Ayden felt it happening. Qui-Gon tried to quell them as they waited for Quin.
She entered soon after.
"Tannerlin," she began softly, "Your brother will be fine. He was not the intended target, but was caught in the crossfire. A blaster bolt creased his left side and pierced his left shoulder. Not life threatening. Several days to heal completely and some discomfort, but he is..."
Her words were cut short as the group entered the treatment room. Tanner saw his brother sitting upright on the hospital bed, legs dangling off the side.
From beyond, Ayden sighed in relief. Even Qui-Gon couldn't prevent his own exhale of breath as Tanner billeted to his brother and wrapped his arms around him.
"Dash!"
"No, no no, Tanner, ow! Not there, Mouse. Look, this side. I'm good on my right side."
"Sorry," the boy said, shifting to the other side of the bed and this time gently curling arms around his brother's chest.
Dashen tucked his good arm around the small form and Ayden could see the older boy's visible release of tension at Tannerlin's affection. This boy that he'd raised for two years, Ayden couldn't believe how this one child had such an affect on others.
"It's okay, Mouse." Dashen said. "I'm okay. Promise. Just wrong place wrong time. Didn't mean to scare you."
"Can you go home now?"
"Soon," Quin said. She pushed forward to break up the reunion. "Let me finish my work and then he's all yours. Trust me, the sooner, the better. All this damn security tromping all over my hospital."
That aimed at Colton. He and Quin were old friends and had the whole personal-paid-healer agreement thing, but it didn't always mean they saw eye to eye. The pair bickered until Tanner grabbed Colton by the hand.
"Colt, maybe we should wait outside."
"Hey, good call, Mouse," said Dashen. "The veins on his forehead are popping out all weird and distorted. Colt, you and Quin have a strange relationship."
Relenting, Colton let himself be dragged away to wait when when Dashen emerged from the treatment room. "All good. I'm hungry though. Being shot at for no particular reason can get the stomach growling."
Colton glared at him. "You're an idiot and you know damn well that makes no sense."
A shrug. "Still doesn't change the fact that I'm hungry. Tanner?"
"I could eat." Tanner agreed moving to his brother's side. "But how does being shot at make your stomach growl? And why were you in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
"Some people around this town are blaster happy and when that's how you communicate - with a blaster - it leads to this. All I could gather was that this hairy Wookiee thing was owed a debt, lifted a crossbow at the owner of one of those shady storefronts, and that guy just starting firing randomly. Pretty sure he was trying to hit the Wookiee, but really he only succeeded in ensuing chaos. Only because he was such a bad shot is why I ended up getting tagged. We live in a weird place."
Colton pointed to his ground car. "The entire galaxy is weird, kid. Get in, we'll get you both dinner at the Rathskeller so you'll stop whining."
"Aww, Colt. You're such a kind and gentle soul."
"No talking. You've caused me enough wasted time this evening as it is."
"You're all about love, big man, don't let anyone tell you different."
From beyond, Ayden watched the exchange curiously. Unclear and somewhat confused by it all. Qui-Gon assured him.
"This is why they need Tannerlin. They do all enjoy each other, but they all have their own varied personal worlds. Tannerlin is the catalyst that helps them along. He knows exactly how to diffuse and when to diffuse. It's quite the talent actually. Colton is a criminal after all, his world is vastly different than that of the boys. Yet at a seconds notice, he's there to offer safety and security. What they have works and it's the best possible option for all. Your boy is happy, Ayden. He's content. Everything he was as a Jedi, he brings the same to this new family of his."
"It's all so strange seeing him navigate this world of criminals and random shootings and hiding who he really is. I don't like it. I worry for him."
"As you should. He's making his own path. It's a path that'll bring danger and uncertainty. But it will also bring joy and friendship.
He's a smart boy and surrounded by two people who care about him. Dashen, in particular, is quite attached. Tannerlin will do well. This is one day in his life. You've seen him navigate it. He's not long removed from the structured Jedi life we all lived, yet he's making this his own."
"I prepared him as well as I could in our short years together."
"He certainly never forgets what you taught him, nor your influence in his life. He speaks of you often. His brother listens. Trust me, you remain a large part of his life, simply without the physical presence."
"Qui-Gon, he's a good boy. A good student. I can only imagine what his future would have been as a Jedi. He would have done great things."
"He still can. In fact, he has. Look."
Qui-Gon motioned for Ayden to watch Tanner helping his brother into the Rathskeller. Despite Dashen needing no assistance to maneuver on perfectly solid legs, the older boy was grateful for the comforting presence by his side.
They sat at their usual booth, greeting Kebrey at the door and Vera at the bar. Both insanely good at their jobs as bouncer and bartender, but viciously good as security and the eyes and ears of Colton's team in downtown Kaolin. Tanner had made friends with them all of course. That made Ayden smile again; something he found himself doing a lot of seeing his former charge.
"Always making friends wherever. Tannerlin has a talent that few others can claim. Although, I'd say it's not always the safest way to live a life."
"It suits him, Ayden. And again, it's why he now has these others in his life. To protect what makes him pure."
—-
Food was ordered and eaten. Tanner joked that he might have to cut Dashen's food into tiny bite size pieces for him with the injury to his brother's shoulder. Dashen responded by flicking a fork full of food at the younger. A particular look from nearby Colton stopped their food fight before it began.
"He's no fun sometimes."
"Eh, Mr. Grumpy. He's never any fun, Mouse. Food is tasty though. Vera outdid herself. Probably feeling sorry for me."
Tanner starred at his brother. "No one feels sorry for you."
"You do."
"I do, but I'm obligated as your little brother."
"Funny, Mouse. Funny. How was school?"
"Great. Amazing. I learned about moisture farming on Tatooine."
"Why?"
"Because it's what Miss Sanya was teaching today."
"No, why are you learning about moisture farming on some random Outer Rim planet."
"Not all that random, I mean we've been there to visit Ben several times. Now I have a local topic to discuss with him."
"Ugh, stars no. I'll pass on that one. You two sitting in the desert, yakkin' about farming for water. Snore."
"You should expand your horizons, Dash."
"Nope. I'm good with me. I'good with my life as it is now."
"You got shot today."
"Yeah, so that part I could do without, but no. You and your hermit pal can rattle on all you want about boring crap like watery sand and other topics for which I have absolutely no interest in."
"Ben likes to talk to me."
"He does. But he also talks to eeopies."
"Sam is a good listener."
"I can't believe he named the thing. It bites and it's evil."
"Animals don't like you because you don't like them."
"I like them just fine as long as they don't chew on me."
"They chew on you because you don't know how to talk to them."
"I'm not talking to animals."
"You do and it's weird."
"One day, Dash. One day."
"Or not. How was your bantha bacon?"
"Really good. I'm surprised you didn't get any. You live for bantha bacon."
"I was craving sweet stuff. I think being caught unexpectedly in the middle of a gun fight will do that. Still can't believe I got nailed. That man was just not a good shot at all. It was horrible. Woulda been funny had I not been writhing pain at the time."
"I hate when that happens."
"Mouse, you are so funny. Come on, finish your dinner. It's later than I thought and I'm wearing down. Gotta get someone to cover my runs tomorrow."
"Colton already did that. You had two jobs, both for him. He pulled you off and for the day after too. After that, he says you're on own so suck it up."
"Sounds like Colton."
Ayden looked toward Qui-Gon's shimmering form a few feet away.
"They engage in the most interesting of conversations. No true pattern or point to them."
"Is that not the point of family, Ayden? Comfort in the mundane?"
"Well, perhaps it is."
—-
Back in their apartment, Tanner readied for bed. His brother yelled down the short hallway from his own bedroom. "Tanner, I need your help for a second."
Tanner entered Dashen's room to find him stuck in his tunic, one arm wrapped cockeyed around his back, the other lost inside the shirt. His head was only partially showing.
"Hi Dash, having problems?"
"M'stuck. Little help?"
"Why are you stuck?"
"Because it hurts like hell to be shot twice on one side of your body and getting dressed is next to impossible. Stop asking stupid questions and get over here."
They pulled and pushed, Dashen fell over, Tanner fell on top of him. It was a tangled mess. Dashen's pain felt like fire, but for a few minutes in the middle of it all, he found himself laughing. The sound became contagious, Tanner found his own hysterics and the pair lay in a small pile on the floor, looking ridiculous but sounding the complete opposite. The laughter eventually expired and the boys untangled; emotionally exhausted but smiling.
"Oh man. Help me up, Mouse. And if you can please get this shirt off. There. Perfect. Thanks. Here, just help me get my bad arm into the correct hole and I'm good."
Shirt finally on, Dashen was ready to fall over. Tanner pushed him into the bed. "Go to bed. I can take off school tomorrow if you need help."
"You'd do that for me, I know. Skip your favorite thing in the word for your poor excuse for a brother."
"You're not a poor excuse, just unique." Tanner pulled the thick blanket up over Dashen's long thin frame. "Who promises to not get shot again."
"I'd love to promise that one. You know I can't. Not in my line of work."
"Yeah, I don't like your line of work."
"I'm not it's biggest fan either, but it's one of the few things I've ever excelled at."
The blanket was tucked tight. "You're pretty good at being a big brother."
"Jury's still out on that one."
"Depends on who you ask."
Dashen's eyes started falling as he said, "Yeah. Love you back, Mouse."
"Hey, you didn't let me say it."
"You didn't have to. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
"Night, Dash."
"Night, little brother."
From within the Force, Ayden followed the boy back down the hall and to his bedroom.
"You know, Qui-Gon, this is a family he never really had in the Temple. He had me and was quite attached to his crèche teacher, but hadn't developed much in the way of close friendships. Certainly nothing approaching the affection he has for Dashen. Perhaps, given who he is, his life is better here than it ever could have been on Coruscant."
"Perhaps, Ayden. He'd give it all up to have you back. He's said as much. But are you know, that's not to be. This is a life here that will keep him content and happy. Well loved and as safe as he can be given the variant circumstances."
A few minutes of quiet mediation, Tanner said his other goodnight. That to his Master Ayden with a clench of the small piece of brown robe he kept bedside. The way he finished every day of his life since that life had been so violently and drastically changed.
"It's nice, Qui-Gon. He holds tight to some Jedi traditions. The meditation before bed. The determination to serve and help. Prompt and punctual. I even sensed feelings of animal kinship during that conversion with he and Dashen in the bar. Not much different than when he was at my side at the Temple. Tannerlin always paid attention to everything and he adapted and dealt with what was before him as best he could. It wasn't always perfect and certain things were and may well be beyond his grasp, but he tries hard and he works hard. I'd give anything to have him at my side again."
"Consider yourself fortunate to be able to see him still and to know he has a found such a life. That's not such a simple thing in the galaxy filled with chaos and violence. You also see that he misses you everyday. It may not be obvious for others to see, but in his actions, his words, his life choices, it's there."
Settled into his bed, Tannerlin lay on his left side, took exactly five long, deep breaths, and closed his eyes.
"A creature of habit. Always the left side. Always five meditating breaths. My padawan."
The pride in Ayden's gaze was unmistakable. This was a boy that had changed his life, had made it so much better in those two brief years. Then they were ripped apart so violently. It was now though, after following his former apprentice though a day in the life, Ayden saw even separated by life and death, Tannerlin was still bringing him joy.
He took one last look at his padawan.
Qui-Gon held a hand out to his ghostly friend.
"Ayden, come along. You've seen what you needed. You must rest your mind before you and I return to training. As Tannerlin has many busy days ahead of him, so do you. I've only begun to show you what we are capable of within this netherworld of the Force. Tannerlin is learning to live his new life. You must as well."
"Yes, Qui-Gon, I do believe I am rejuvenated and ready. Show me the way."
END
