Work Text:
New Message
from: Hallen Reem
Master Jinn,
Here is the file for the Initiate you were recommended. [file]
I do hope it works out. Obi-Wan is a great kid and has always been one of my favorites.
Force be with you,
Knight Reem
Crechemaster
Qui-Gon settled deeper into his chair, his tea in hand. He’d been waiting for this message; Master Yoda had been pushing for it since before the boy was even eligible. Now with Xanatos knighted and off on his rotation, Qui-Gon could check the file without guilt.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
He/Him
Age: 10 Standard
Species: Human
Subspecies: Stewjoni
Qui-Gon didn’t recognize the subspecies, but that wasn’t surprising given how many Human-populated planets existed.
About:
Qui-Gon’s eyes roved over a glowing review from his head Crechemaster, a Wookie, judging by the name.
…a very polite child…
…excellent student…
…a delight to work with…
Either this Crechemaster was prone to embellishment, or children had changed a great deal while Qui-Gon hadn’t been looking.
Skilled with:
Saber practice
Rhetoric
History
Helping others
Self-motivation
Really, if Master Dooku didn’t have Komari, Obi-Wan might have been perfect for him.
Struggles with:
This was always the best place to look when deciding on a new Padawan. An Initiate’s weaker subjects and behavioral issues filled in the gaps in personality left in the pleasant descriptions from fond Crechemasters. Qui-Gon had seen some fantastic listings in this section; one of his own had been ‘Finds a way to get muddy.’ There was even an unofficial hall of fame on the Jedi’Net, but Qui-Gon had never seen ‘Excessive Guilt.’
He tapped on it and the file offered a holo recording. It was that kind of ‘Struggle,’ then; the sort that needed a face-to-face explanation. He tapped to play it.
A young Twi’lek appeared on screen, his bright green skin oddly suited to the brightly painted office, and a nameplate that read ‘Hallen Reem.’ The date stamp was from years ago and Knight Reem looked very young here; it was easy to guess that this was his first group.
“Obi-Wan has been doing this thing-“
Knight Reem paused and Qui-Gon wondered if he knew that he talked with his hands.
“-where if he feels that he’s done something wrong,
-even if he hasn’t!
-he puts himself in timeout.
He goes to the quiet corner, pulls up a beanbag to face the wall…”
Knight Reem paused again, his eyes distant and his hands poised.
“And just melts into a puddle of self-loathing.”
Qui-Gon raised a brow, Obi-Wan would have been only five years old then.
“He doesn’t go into distress or anything…”
Knight Reem slouched down in his chair; his head propped on one arm distractedly.
“He just lounges there, one with the chair,
his eyes distant and a sad look on his little face…”
It sounded like the child needed a Mind Healer.
“The kids are actually calling it ‘puddling,’ because that’s what he is.
If you ask him what’s wrong, he tells you of minor infractions that don’t-
that don’t warrant that kind of response…”
Knight Reem was getting animated; he really cared about those kids, and it showed.
“And sometimes he doesn’t even have a reason!
He just ‘wants to be sad for a bit.’
And I don’t-“
Knight Reem cut himself off, his head dropping into his hands on his desk as he composed himself. Qui-Gon remembered being a new Knight.
The holo cut to a new scene; the Creche’s main playroom came into view as the camera made its way to a corner painted with calm fluffy clouds. A beanbag chair was facing away from the hustle of the room.
“Obi-Wan?”
Obi-Wan was adorable, Qui-Gon decided, all freckles and big blue eyes. Sad blue eyes. He really was melted into that chair, too; just staring into space.
“What’s wrong?”
Obi-Wan didn’t look over, still staring at the wall. “…Puddling.”
“But why?”
“I didn’t say ‘thank you.’”
Qui-Gon’s brow dipped. Minor infractions, indeed.
“When?”
Obi-Wan finally broke his stare and looked over to Knight Reem, the camera must be hidden on his clothes. “When Padawan Cyla handed us our training sabers at practice.”
“Did you just forget?”
Obi-Wan nodded, looking miserable.
“It’s okay to forget sometimes,” Knight Reem’s voice was kind. “Just try to remember next time.”
“Okay…”
“Do you want to come play?”
Obi-Wan turned back to the wall. “No thank you, I want to keep being sad for a bit.”
“…Okay.” Knight Reem sounded like he needed the Quiet Corner too, to Qui-Gon’s adult ear. “But come on over when you’re done, okay?”
“Okay.”
The camera receded, leaving a sad puddle of beanbag chair and child.
The scene changed again. Knight Reem had aged a bit and seemed calmer, and the timestamp was from a year ago.
“He’s been regularly seen for it, and the Healers say it’s nothing to worry about.”
Knight Reem didn’t sound like he agreed with that assessment, but Qui-Gon doubted the young man would accept anything that made a youngling that sad.
“It seems to be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress, and that as long as he doesn’t spend too much time Puddling, it’s safe to assume he’s fine.”
They’d see about that.
--------
Qui-Gon approached his quarters, looking forward to getting back; Obi-Wan was done with classes for the day and should be home. Having such a young Padawan again was a breath of fresh air, and Qui-Gon was glad to have him.
He stepped through the door and found said Padawan in the living room-
Melted into the chair and staring at the wall.
Qui-Gon removed his boots and hung his cloak before approaching the lump of child. “Look at this sad puddle…” He smiled fondly.
Obi-Wan didn’t break his stare.
“Just a big puddle of Sad Face…” Qui-Gon knelt beside him. He watched Obi-Wan’s melancholic expression for a moment and then shot his hands at Obi-Wan’s midriff. Prime tickling territory.
“AH!” Obi-Wan flailed, involuntarily laughing, “Master!”
“Puddles don’t normally squirm this much.”
“Master!”
Qui-Gon’s smile grew as Obi-Wan’s laughter turned real.