Chapter Text
Yan stopped right behind the corner, listening to the familiar voices that were whispering.
Padawan Vos literally just finished his punishment in the Archives - for Jocasta’s joy, since the boy was an hazard between so many precious texts - but it seems he was ready to go back right away.
Which would be fine, if not for Obi-Wan’s presence.
The Force may have bounded them in the Creche, but it did not mean the kiffar should drag his grandpadawan in everything he did. Especially because he would like to brag about Obi-Wan’s successes without another master interfering with a critique on the last prank or disaster they had done.
“No, if you do like that it would fall too slow…”
“I can’t lower it!”
“But like this he would sense it and move.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Well…”
Yan looked around, thinking. He was the only adult present at the moment, it was his duty as a master to stop them. Also, to avoid their chaos meant to avoid another meeting with who knows how many masters and knights fallen victims of their scheming - since Qui-Gon always managed to disappear at the right moment forcing him to take his place.
But he had an appointment with Sifo, and he was already running late.
And neither of them were his padawan, which was not an excuse as good as Sifo but he could work with it. Also, Qui-Gon was currently in the Halls, after a mission that for once didn’t end with Obi-Wan’s near death, so he would not be able to run from the complains.
Considering that they were huddled around a bucket of mud he could safely leave them to their scheming.
His mind made, Yan went on his way, smirking when he heard them scrambling to hide.
He was sure the whole Temple will know in less than a couple of hours.
Until then, Sifo and tea.
- - -
An hour and half later Yan and Sifo were walking towards the Archives, as per Jocasta’s request.
The actual words had been ‘you bloody thief, give me back my texts if you want to live to see tomorrow’s sunrise! They were due two weeks ago!’ but he was a diplomat and could work around words well enough.
It was Sifo’s fault anyway, he was safe. Yan was accompanying him only because the other jedi was still recovering from his last vision and he had been way too unstable on his legs to be left alone, or else he would have avoided an angry Jocasta like the plague.
A scream froze them, but before they could even think of grabbing their lightsaber Obi-Wan and Vos appeared out of breath.
The two padawans froze in turn, looking like they had been caught red-handed.
A sigh was the only thing he could do.
“What did you do?”
“We didn’t…!”
“Nothing Grandmaster, we were just…”
He silenced them with a raised hand “If you want any chance to be saved tell me the truth. Now.”
The boys shared a glance before Obi-Wan raised his head to look him in the eyes.
Good move, grandpadawan mine. Always keep your head high.
“We spilled a bucket of mud on Knight Ghrell.”
“Why?”
They spoke in chorus “He made Bant cry.”
Sifo hummed “Good choice.”
“Master Sifo-Dyas!”
“He’s the one who made Jocasta yell in the Archives.” He said with a pointed glare, clearly agreeing with the boys “Can you immagine how bad he must be to achieve that?”
The day people will stop turning on him with so much nonchalance would never come soon enough.
“Fine, take this.” He dumped his pile of books into Vos’s arms, which he had raised on instinct while he got closer. Then, more gently, he took the one Sifo was carrying and gave it to Obi-Wan.
“If anyone ask, you were helping us. Now, to the Archives.”
“But…”
“To the Archives, padawans. And be careful, those are ancient.”
Obi-Wan wisely remained silent, turning to obey. He elbowed the other, stopping his protests, and Vos mumbled what he was sure were not compliments, but still followed his friend’s lead.
They managed to make less than ten steps before a raging knight appeared. Ghrell was a mirialan man who had been trained in the Temple on Dantooine, and recently came on Coruscant to continue his work as a translator of ancient texts. Jocasta had spoke about that with a mild excitement before actually meeting the knight.
Yan was quite sure no one could stand him in the Temple.
Also, judging by his expression, he was not a very good influence to have around their children. Who let him go near them unsupervised? He could not imagine Alrisha letting him stay with her children long enough to make Initiate Eerin cry. Nor the other crechemasters for what it’s worth.
And to make Jocasta yell in the Archives was no small feat either.
They had never met before, but his opinion was already set and he doubted it would change for better after their impending conversation.
The knight looked both ways before focusing on the two padawans, seething “You bloody brats!”
The boys didn’t cover, but Yan felt their desire to do so. The mirialan was projecting so much anger even a non-sensitive would have recoiled.
“Knight Ghrell, I ask you to refrain from insulting my grandpadawan and his friend. This is not how a jedi should act.”
His voice got amplified by the high ceiling and it actually stopped the other.
“Your grandpadawan — his disdain accented the word — did this!” He pointed at himself, referring to the mud who covered his clothes and hair. It had been watered down, enough to completely cover his body from his head to half his tights, but still had the concentration to color everything with a uniform light brown.
If not for his position he would have admired the ability they displayed with the mixture, for as simple as it had been it worked wonderfully.
“You should not go around accusing people like this, without any proof. Especially since these padawans had spent the afternoon with us.”
“Oh really?” His sarcasm was way too sharp. It was clear that he was not used to have social interactions.
“Yes, really. They have been punished for not submitting their essays in time with services in the Archives, which is where they had spent the most time in the last days and where we are going right now, so they could not possibly be the culprits.”
Ghrell pointed his finger against Obi-Wan “I met them yesterday. Everyone says they do pranks.”
“We are way too good for throwing mud.” Huffed Vos, planting himself between the knight and Obi-Wan “And more sophisticated.”
Awful choice of words , he thought, but one who could help him.
“Padawan Vos, you will speak to Knight Ghrell with the respect owed to his position.”
He lowered his eyes and head, a little too quickly to be credible for those who knew him, but still a good act “Yes, master Dooku. I apologize.”
Yan nodded and motioned for them to go on “Now, if you don’t mind, we have places to go.”
“No!” Ghrell crossed his arms ”They were and are the only children around. Don’t you think I can recognize a lie? I’m not stupid!”
“You sure are doing a great job to look like one then.” Yan was already fed up with the man “I’m Master Yan Dooku and I am a member of the High Council. Do not accuse me of such a thing and with this attitude.”
The other paled, letting his arms fall back on his sides “Master Dooku, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, I…”
“I get you must feel… frustrated, by what happened.” Yan nodded slightly, like he was pitying him “But you must release your emotion in the Force. They are helping us with these book, so they are not those who are you looking for.”
“Y-Yes, of course.” He stammered “Thank you for your help. It has been a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, Knight Ghrell.”
After that, he vanished down the hall.
Yan waited twenty more seconds - monitoring him in the Force - before turning towards the two troublemaker. They were already smiling, happy for the narrow escape.
Not so fast, young ones.
“You are going to carry those books up to the Archives and then, since this is between us, you will show up to my quarters after your lessons for the next two weeks to get your chores. I’m sure you agree to this deal, am I right?”
They both lowered their eyes, radiating shame in the Force.
“Yes, Master Dooku.”
“Yes, Grandmaster.”
“Good.”
Obi-Wan made half a step forward, getting his attention “Are you going to tell it to Master Qui-Gon?”
“I just lied to keep you out of trouble, it wouldn’t make sense if I did, would it?”
“Yes, I mean no - I… thank you.“
Yan just nodded.
Sifo smirked “I still have a question. Why the mud? It’s quite simple for the two of you.”
He was clearly referring to the explosive dragonflies of Zootan or any of their more elaborated pranks. Some of those had been so good even the Council got impressed.
Tholme kept saying that creativity was an important skill for a shadow, so Vos’s future was surely a brilliant one. Obi-Wan’s too, since that also applied for negotiators and diplomats. And for the second boy he hold way less sarcasm.
“He didn’t deserve an actual plan.” Spat Vos unconcerned “It would have been a waste of time, and also mud and water work very well.”
“We wanted to use that as a proof of innocence.” Replied Obi-Wan blushing.
Sifo half laughed at that “A good plan, many would have fallen for it.”
Yan didn’t add anything. He just signed with his fingers, mimicking the act of turning and get going. They had wasted too much time already.
Sifo smirked knowingly at him and followed the boys' lead, lightly whistling a theme song.
Yan caught up with them, speeding up only a bit.
He looked forwards to see Jocasta’s smirk at the news of Knight Ghrell's misfortune.