Title: Time To Play
Author: Jill (jshep6@hotmail.com) Feedback would be great.
Rating: For everyone, G
Archive: Are you serious? Who would want it? Just ask.
Disclaimer: All the characters and SW universe belong to George Lucas I apologize now for misusing them, have mercy please. Story is mine and I am making no money from it. Thanks to Laheara for inspiring me to write this and to my Sister Steph for her devotion to Obi-Wan. "Put the poor boy down."
Synopsis: Obi-Wan has fun (Age 6)
Obi-Wan sat bored. The young boy had had enough of geography today to last him a lifetime. Obi-Wan looked around at his classmates; a sense of disappointment hit him as he saw how engrossed his friends were in the lesson.
"Well then Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan's heart sank, the voice of his teacher sent waves of panic through him. Desperately calling Bant, he struggled to pick up the message she was sending him.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi" Master Vant looked straight at Obi-Wan.
"Please pay attention."
"Sorry Master Vant," gazing at her with 'poor little me' eyes.
"That won't wash with me" Master Vant replied.
Obi-Wan turned to see Bruck laughing at his discomfort. Bruck and Obi-Wan had never been friends despite all the efforts Obi-Wan had made. Obi-Wan forced himself to concentrate on the lesson, taking notes on the subject. Master Vant continued to stress the importance of understanding the formation of rocks, their permeability and strata. Obi-Wan struggled to keep up.
"I understand this may not be very exciting," Master Vant gazed at Obi-Wan, "but it is vital that you know this should you ever find yourself in a survival situation."
Obi-Wan felt like slipping under his desk as Master Vant gazed at him.
"Now I have some good news for you all."
The class immediately perked up.
"We have all worked hard this week and I think as a special reward we shall go to the new playground for the afternoon."
"Yippee," the class yelled in unison.
<*~*>
"Qui-Gon."
The Jedi Master turned to see Depa Billaba approach him.
"Look Qui-Gon, I need a really big favour."
"Uh-huh," Qui-Gon became increasingly worried.
"I promised Docent Vant that I would help her with..."
"No way," Qui-Gon interrupted.
"Oh Qui-Gon, please I promised to help with the junior class but I have been called to an important meeting with Master Yoda," Master Billaba pleaded.
"I am useless with children."
"Please," Depa put on her best persuasive face.
"All right, what lesson is it?"
"Well it's not really a lesson," Depa smiled.
"Oh a practical exercise."
"Well not exactly."
"Then what," Qui-Gon could feel himself becoming impatient.
"A playtime," Depa began to run down the corridor, "at the new play area as soon as you can."
"Wait, I can't," Qui-Gon shouted desperately.
"Thanks," Depa disappeared through the doors.
Qui-Gon cursed under his breath as the thought of looking after 20 young ones scampering around filled him with dread.
<*~*>
Obi-Wan held hands with Bant as they followed their teacher down to the new play park. Master Vant continued to check on the group behind her as they crossed the bridge. The sun was shinning and occasionally the young ones would be dazzled as the beams reflected off the overhead air taxes and passing ships. The children entered the enclosed area and gazed with excitement as they saw the various play items before them. Obi-Wan immediately made eye contact with the giant chute, which was situated in the centre of the play area.
"Now, my young ones, you may play on anything you wish except the chute," Master Vant instructed them.
A cry of anguish filled the area as the children began to protest.
"Listen, it is too big and I don't want you to go near it?
"Yes Master," a unified reply was made.
Bant turned to see a clearly disappointed friend.
"Don't worry Obi we shall still have fun," she told him smiling.
"I know," Obi-Wan grinned back at his friend.
"As if Oafy-Wan," Bruck teased him.
"Go away Bruck," Bant replied stepping between him and her friend.
"That's right Oafy get the girls to protect you.
Obi-Wan could feel the frustration rise within him and he longed to give Bruck a smack in the mouth. He breathed deeply and remembered the lessons Master Yoda had given him on the importance of controlling one's anger.
"Come on Bant let's just ignore him," Obi-Wan turned and walked away.
"You are never going to be a padawan, farm boy," Bruck shouted at him.
"Yes I am," Obi-Wan replied defiantly.
"Prove it Oafy"
"How?"
"By going down that," Bruck smiled as he pointed to the chute.
"Ignore him Obi-Wan, it's not worth it," Bant pleaded.
"Yeah Oafy, for you might get scared."
Obi-Wan stared at Bruck the consequences of not doing it swirled in the young boy's mind.
"I will prove myself," Obi-Wan replied.
"Obi-Wan don't," Bant whispered to her friend.
"It's the only way to make him leave me alone."
Obi-Wan turned and walked towards the chute, looking up, he could see it towered over him. Bant paced around wishing her friend would change his mind, she knew Obi-Wan to be head strong but when Bruck set him a challenge this defiance rose in stature. Bruck sat not far from the chute with his usual gang of friends, laughing hysterically at Obi-Wan's slight hesitation. Obi-Wan looked at Master Vant who seemed preoccupied with another group. Pushing away his fear he began to climb the steps. As he reached the top he stopped once again to see Bruck staring straight at him. Closing his eyes he sat at the top and launched himself down the slide. Obi-Wan could feel the speed as the wind caught his face. He looked to see that the end was approaching too quickly and he was in for a bumpy finish. Gritting his teeth he tried in vain to slow himself down.
Bang, Obi-Wan hit something or someone.
The boy could only see a pair of rather large boots.
"OBI WAN!"
Obi-Wan looked up and nearly fainted, not only had he broken the promise to Master Vant but also he had crashed into another Jedi Master.
"What are you doing," Master Vant shouted as she helped the man back to his feet.
"Now apologise at once."
"Sorry Master Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan struggled to keep the tears from rolling down his cheeks.
Qui-Gon stood up and wiped the dust from his tunic.
"What were you doing, young one, after I believe Master Vant gave you all strict instructions not to go up there?"
"I am sorry." Obi-Wan stopped he feared he would burst into tears.
"Obi-Wan I am very disappointed in you, now go over and sit on the bench, your play time is over," Master Vant instructed him.
Obi-Wan walked over to the bench with his head looking down and his hands held together.
"I feel Obi-Wan is hiding something from us," Qui-Gon turned to face Docent Vant.
"Yes I feel the same, there seems to be a problem between him and Bruck."
"That boy over there?"
"Yes."
"I can see it, he seems too happy with Obi-Wan's predicament."
"I am sorry for being late this morning, Depa just told me moments before I arrived," Qui-Gon added.
"I am surprised to see you here Qui-Gon, I didn't think you would volunteer for such a task."
"Well I didn't exactly volunteer."
Docent Vant laughed at Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon stood watching the young children run around him. He could feel the sadness radiating off the young boy slouched in the corner. Obi-Wan had committed a wrong but Qui-Gon could not help feel a slight sense of pity for him. The Jedi Master moved slowly through the children and approached Bruck.
"Oafy-Wan, is such an idiot," Bruck boasted to his group, "I mean imagine going up there when there were two Jedi Masters in the area."
"But Bruck you dared him," a young boy replied.
"He is so pathetic, he just does everything I say," Bruck laughed, "He's a farm boy, he shouldn't even be here."
Bruck hesitated as he saw the look of shame on his friends, closing his eyes he turned slowly to be confronted by the image of Qui-Gon.
"So Bruck, you told Obi-Wan to go up there," Qui-Gon stood speaking firmly.
"No Master Qui-Gon."
"Don't lie to me boy, I can see right through you."
"I didn't mean for him to actually do it."
"Come with me," Qui-Gon gestured for Bruck to walk in front of him and towards Obi-Wan who was receiving a lecture from Master Vant.
"Master Vant, I believe Bruck has something to say to Obi-Wan."
Bruck gazed at Obi-Wan with a screwed up face and forced the words from his mouth. "Obi-Wan I didn't tell you to go down the chute," Bruck spoke harshly.
"No Bruck that was not what I expected from a Jedi learner."
"Sorry, Obi-Wan," Bruck spoke staring at his feet.
Master Vant stared at Qui-Gon with a look of puzzlement, but realised from Qui-Gon what had actually happened.
"Bruck sit here, I want you to meditate on your actions today," Master Vant instructed him.
Obi-Wan stood up and walked alongside Master Vant and Master Jinn.
"Obi-Wan, I am disappointed that you felt the need to carry out this instruction from Bruck."
"Yes Master Vant."
"You allowed your judgement to be clouded by fear and anxiety."
"I just wanted him to leave me alone," Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon.
"Obi-Wan, the life of a Jedi is not easy, you will be faced with difficult decisions in which you must make critical choices. Be strong do not follow paths which you know to be wrong," Qui-Gon smiled as he spoke.
"Yes Master Qui-Gon."
"Obi-Wan, we will be returning to the Temple shortly but I will allow you to sit with your friends."
"Thank you Master Vant," Obi-Wan bowed slightly as he moved to rejoin Bant.
"I will have to keep an eye on this situation," Docent Vant spoke.
"Yes, the young can be full of mischief," Qui-Gon added.
"As well you know, Qui-Gon."
"In what way," Qui-Gon nervously questioned.
"I have heard many stories of you and Mace's antics as youngsters."
Qui-Gon could feel his face reddening.
"What me? A respected Jedi Master? Never."
Both Jedi Masters laughed as they gazed at Obi-Wan who was chatting incessantly with his friend Bant. Qui-Gon smirked as Obi-wan reminded him of his past times as the class rogue during his younger days.
THE END
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