Chapter Text
Pre-school jitters are the worst!
Crosshair felt really nervous. The jitters having started in the early morning hours and soon after that, Crosshair had not been able to go back to sleep.
The reason behind this, sudden and perhaps rare occurrence? Well, this was Crosshair’s very first day at school. His very first official class teaching art not just for the kids of Pabu, but for anyone wanting to learn the craft as well.
Perhaps not too many would participate anyway. Something which was okay as Crosshair still wasn’t that good with crowds. Despite everyone admiring his handiwork, commenting on the art and wishing they too could paint like Crosshair did.
Well, his art was’t really all that, now was it? Any one could do it, right? With training and effort?
It had never stopped Crosshair in the past either, painting even if he had been a soldier back then, way back when. And now, having found a new lease in life again, Crosshair was free to pursue his dream. And so Crosshair was painting again, every single day.
So why did Crosshair suddenly feel nervous about teaching someone?
These were his friends, his family, the people he was in contact with every day.
But this was different. This was his, heart he was showing. His innermost being put into the artwork where words failed him. Exposing himself like never before and not only that, Crosshair was showing others his ways of doing the same!
Scary!
Hence the jitters even if Crosshair did not mind teaching others. Well, not in small groups of one or two anyway. Having already done the same with Omega, the clone boys even.
Echo and Stak having been of great support not to mention Omega while encouraging Crosshair onto his new path. Stak having taken a menteeship with Crosshair. The Kid learning the trade with the Master, as the young clone liked to call Crosshair sometimes. Assuring Crosshair it was out of respect he called the former sniper a master, not as a joke.
Despite all the support from his family, all the pep talks, the having people come to see him paint, Crosshair still felt so nervous in starting this class. Whether the idea behind it having been good or not, Crosshair had practically volunteered for the job!
And yet in the darkness of the early morning hours, Crosshair had come to the balcony to breathe in the cool and hopefully calming night air, Crosshair was wishing he had never gotten involved in the whole damned thing!
Alas, Crosshair did not dare to disappoint all those kids he had gotten to know on the island, nor Stak or Echo. Having promised to teach them all.
Oh why oh why had he made such a promise?!?
Being tortured on Mount Tantiss had not felt this difficult now had it!
Crosshair tried to centre himself. To simply be in the moment and not to worry about what was on the horizon. After all, he had never been the great worrier in the past. So why now?
All the things around them had certainly changed a lot, not just for the former soldier, the former sniper of the group. But Crosshair himself had also changed,
As getting nervous, well, it hadn’t really been part of his arsenal before now had it? Well, not since becoming a grownup trooper anyway. Always knowing what to do, being able to rely on his skills, not to mention his team. Knowing the perfect angle, the trajectory, the enemy… And yet, it hadn’t been all that different now had it?
Crosshair was a skilful, nay, a talented artists. The others had complimented him on it, told him it was the truth. But, being a soldier hade never been personal, not really. Being an artist was. And there within, lay the problem.
Crosshair knew the reason of the why now, having searched his innermost self. Just like Omega had taught him to do.
Crosshair closed his eyes, breathing in and breathing out the calming air.
Emptying his mind from any kind of thought, good, bad, whatever. Simply concentrating on his own breathing. On the moment and the surroundings. The soft wind around him, the smells of the ocean. He felt, floaty, yet, he was stationary. Leaning against the railing.
Crosshair knew he could do this. He was good. He had skills… well at least in the arts. Teaching? Well, that was something totally different. Something he was about to find out whether he could master it or not.
Stak seemed to think Crosshair was able to teach. The boy having learnt a lot from his Master in a short while.
But others? The Pabu people excepting a great class?
Well, Crosshair certainly wasn’t the most articulate one. Then again, teaching by example? Well, that would be a start. Then, if the students asked questions, he could easily answer them.
See, not so hard, the curriculum practically writing itself!
Crosshair once again took a deep breath in and then, exhaled.
Indeed, Crosshair felt much better, ready even, for the class in the arriving morning.