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Author	Topic: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (New little postie 01/07/05)
HaiGan Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 10/22/04 8:15am Subject: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (New little postie 01/07/05) - Date Edited: 7/2/05 7:41am (14 edits total) Edited By: HaiGan
	You Can Run But You Can't Hide A story of friendship, healing, and Corellian fast food Foreword: There's always room for improvement, and there were parts of this already-posted story that I felt needed some attention. Some of the characterisation was off. It didn't always feel very consistant in flavour, and nor did it always feel very in keeping with the whole atmosphere of the Old Republic Jedi Order. There were some details that needed adjusting to stay in canon with canon characters (not that it isn't slightly AU, but at least it's not now blatently AU). Finally, some parts just plain weren't good enough! The story does brush upon the world of the Jemmiah Chronicals, a growing collection of interlinked stories and background created by several authors on the boards here, but started by Jemmiah herself. Some of the colour of this story stemmed from that background, and some of the original characters were not of my own creation but were used with permission. Evla, Jemmiah, Sal-Fina, Ambianca and Junine belong to Jemmiah. An-Paj belongs to Jane Jinn. Mother Yyr belongs to Kithera Rinani (Kit'). If there's one I've missed, please accept my apologies! Thus, without further ado, here it is: YCRBYCH, The Repost, part 1! **** Chapter One In the Coruscant summertime, the gardens of the Jedi Temple verged upon the spectacular. They did not have the ostentatious splendour of the Republic Foundation gardens, of course. Display purely for the sake of inspiring awe and demonstrating wealth was not the Jedi way. The Temple gardens, instead, had the lush enthusiasm of a well-tended sanctuary of interplanetary botanical harmony. It had neat, symmetrical walkways of shady trees, and elegant sweeps of brick pathways bordered by fragrant foliage and elegant, subdued flowers. It was provided with running streams and tiny, chuckling waterfalls that clattered over cobblestone beds beside delicate ferns bedewed by spray. It broke away from order into close-cropped greensward, dotted with naturalistic clusters of bowed trees, billowing shrubs, and rustling grasses with fronds that towered over the tallest of Knights. Sal-Fina Falmar was an exotic blossom among the restrained beauty of the gardens. The shapely female Jedi Knight walked between the fragrant mair-nam bushes at a leisurely pace. She paused and leaned down to savour the scents more closely, taking care to remain in sight of the two male knights who had been admiring her from afar for the last ten minutes. The Order discouraged its members from forming attachments that could lead to distraction and emotional decisions, but that did not mean the Jedi were without fundamental biological impulses. Sal-Fina glanced at the men from beneath her long lashes as she straightened, and smiled to herself. She had not lost her touch. If their tongues hung out any further they would need to be scraped off the ground. She was debating her next move when something struck her on the top of her head. Her ladylike gasp was from surprise rather than pain. Her hands shot up to the point of impact, and encountered a wet, sticky, squishy mess. She exclaimed again as she dragged her fingers through the sticky mess of her formerly pristine golden-blond locks. "My HAIR!" Her hands came down again bearing two long, soft, rubbery items that she normally associated with certain bedroom activities. As Sal-Fina looked wildly about for the source of this outrage, she saw a small dark cloud. A small, flying dark cloud that swayed and split as it swerved between the bushes towards her. A cloud that buzzed eagerly as it closed on the enticingly sweet odour around the Jedi Knight's head. Sal-Fina's scream for assistance was less than ladylike this time as the swarm poured towards her, abruptly cut off as she realised the wisdom of closing her mouth. Her manicured hands clutched at her ruined hair as she sprinted out of the garden away from the swarm of pursuing flies, without sparing a moment to feel thankful that she had paid attention to her training as well as her appearance. Behind the wall next to the mair-nam bushes, somebody sniggered. ** Deep in thought, Mace Windu strolled through the gardens. So absorbed was he in his meditations that he barely felt the impending danger in time. Nevertheless, his instincts were well-honed and his reactions lightning-fast. Even before his eye caught the flash of movement he had sidestepped, his lightsaber instantly poised in his hand. The purple blade flared into life, humming eagerly as it sliced cleanly through the three missiles that dropped from above. With three faint, wet squelches, the missiles exploded. Sticky fluid scattered into a sparkling shower, filling the air with the reek of charred syrup. The sad, rubbery remnants of the bombs flopped to the pathway at Mace's feet. Mace closed his eyes, wiping sugary droplets from his face with his free hand and returning his lightsaber to his belt. He let out a long, irritation-releasing breath as he sought the auras of those who had thrown the bombs. The Force showed him three figures couching behind the wall he now stood beside, trying to creep away. Mace opened his eyes again. The doorway through the wall was not far away. If he moved fast he could catch those three before they had the chance to get away. He gathered himself... then paused. He could hear a buzzing sound, and it was getting louder. His face darkened in a frown as a small swarm of kabbas flies swarmed into view, headed straight towards him... or, more precisely, towards the fluid that splattered him from head to toe. All thoughts of catching the three hiding behind the wall vanished. Kabbas flies could inflict a nasty bite, even to a Jedi Master; and, Jedi Master or no, Mace was not fond of insects. The culprits could wait; the flies would not. Mace Windu left the gardens with celerity. This time there was more than one giggle. **** A solitary knight sauntered through the gardens. He was a short, slender, pale young man with exquisitely styled hair and a neat goatee- the beard and the absence of a Padawan braid indicating that despite his relative youth he was past his Trials. He contrived to wear his Jedi tunic as if it were the height of fashion. His boots shone; their built-up heels added a good handswidth to his height. His half-closed eyes scanned the garden with the appearance of bored attention. Three heads lifted above the top of a wall. The three initiates eyed the young Knight's overcareful appearance, looked at one another, and nodded agreement. Three hands appeared, each holding a small, soft, pale, rounded item. Before the poised hands could open and release their weapons, there came the brief impression of a shape tumbling overhead and the knight was gone. The three initiates blinked, puzzled. "Turn around. Slowly." The voice from behind the boys was very cool and quiet, but managed to suggest that nasty things would happen if it wasn't obeyed. There was a familiar humming sound audible beneath it. The three initiates froze against the wall, then turned carefully to face the direction from which the voice had come. Three sets of eyes swiveled downwards to take in the twin yellow blades held across their throats, then traveled upwards to meet the pair of glacier-blue eyes behind the double-ended lightsaber. "A beautiful morning, is it not?" The voice of the Jedi Knight who held the weapon had an ominous veneer of cheerfulness over an icy calm that matched the eyes. "Let us keep it that way, shall we?" The three initiates nodded silently. "Splendid.” The corners of the knight's mouth twitched upwards, but the result was not a smile. “Now then, what do we have here? Water bombs?" The three initiates shuffled their feet. "You know, I do believe we are rather close to that kabbas nest that Master Quillan found yesterday," the knight continued in a thoughtful vein, his blue eyes half closing. The effect was to intensify rather than reduce the effect of his gaze. One of the initiates gulped. "Kabbas flies are very fond of lowen syrup, or so I have heard." The knight's voice reached almost conversational tones. One of the initiates nervously lifted a hand to nibble at his nails, then stopped as the lightsaber shifted very slightly but very suggestively. "I happened to hear that the storeskeeper in the refectory was one container of lowen syrup short last night,” the knight continued. “I will also have to inform Master An-Paj that it is not his padawan who is responsible for raiding the Temple's supply of preventatives." The initiates glanced down at their missiles. One blushed. "Well now.” The blue eyes glittered dangerously. “What shall I do with you three miscreants?" "Uh... let us go?" It was the tallest of the three Initiates who answered: a gangling, dark-skinned pre-teen with a messy shock of short black dreadlocks and very white teeth. The knight's attention focused on him. "Let you go?" he inquired, with as much astonishment as if someone had just suggested spit-roasting an entire Bantha. "Whyever should I do that?" "'Cause you're a nice person and you like a good laugh?" the tallest Initiate hazarded. "I am not a nice person and I had my sense of humour surgically removed in early childhood." The blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You." The tallest initiate put on his best 'who, me?' expression. Inevitably, the knight was not fooled. "You were the one who painted my refectory chair with adhesive last week." The tallest Initiate gave a boneless shrug. "What's the problem? You didn't sit in it." "I do not appreciate practical jokes," the knight said, coldly. Despite the weight of the knight's icy regard, the tallest Initiate managed a grin. "Not even the good ones?" The knight made a sudden movement with the lightsaber. One of the initiates gave a gasp of fear and dropped to the ground as his knees gave way, but the knight had only deactivated the weapon and returned it to the back of his belt. The tallest initiate put a protective hand on his friend's shoulder, and faced up to the knight. "You really need to lighten up, you know." "Lighten. Up." The blue eyes flashed darkly. "Yeah.” The tallest initiate tilted his head, cockily. “I mean, if you were any more uptight, you'd vanish up your own..." "Thom!" The third Initiate, the smallest of the three, slapped a hand over his friend's mouth. The knight tucked his thumbs into his belt. "Oh, let him carry on, do,” he said, with an airiness that did not deceive the youngsters for an instant..” I should be delighted to hear what he has to say." "Thom, you'll get yourself slung out this time, for sure," his friend hissed. The knight rolled his eyes. "Oh please, less of the melodrama. I am afraid you will have to try much harder than that before they will throw you out of the Order." "Like threaten three kids with a lightsaber, huh?" Thom asked, without aggression but with commendable confidence- a confidence probably helped by the fact that without the knight's tall boot-heels Thom could almost have met him eye-to-eye. “Looks like we're not the ones into melodrama here.” The knight took a half step back, his expression guarded. "You do not have a master." It was not a question. The sharp blue eyes had noted the absence of any of the traditional indications of padawan status. "Not yet," Thom replied, without concern. "Who is responsible for you?" the knight demanded. "Master Fel." Thom sounded less than enthusiastic. "Then let us go and speak to Master Fel. Just you and I. I would say you are the ringleader here." The knight did not obviously check to see whether Thom would follow him, but strode off in the direction of the initiates' quarters. Thom trotted determinedly after him. "'Scuse me!" The knight did not stop. "Hey, you!" Thom persisted The knight still did not stop. "Jedi Smug!" Thom called. The knight's heel scrunched on the ground as he did an abrupt about-face. If looks could have killed, Thom would have become one with the Force before he had time to say 'Wampameat'. The initiate suffered no visible ill effects, however. "Well, you are. You could give lessons in smugness." One eyebrow crept up the knight's forehead. "Besides, I don't know your real name," Thom added, reasonably. "Then find out." The knight turned and stalked off again. Thom matched his strides. "How did you find out?" The knight seemed to be interested despite himself. "Hmm?" "The kabba nest, the syrup, the... “ Thom flapped his hands expressively “you-know-whats." The knight kept his attention on the path ahead. "It is what I do." "You find things out?" "I investigate situations, associate facts, and insert my nose where some would much prefer it not to be inserted," the knight said, crisply. "Jedi Police.” Thom grinned. “Woo!" "I obtain items, I talk to people... and sometimes I kill people," continued the precise voice, with no change in emotion. "Uh.” Thom struggled to find a reply. “Well, nobody's perfect, I guess." "Indeed." The knight's head still did not turn. Thom realised that perhaps it hadn't been the most complimentary thing to say. "I didn't mean it. Well, I did mean it, but not like that. I mean, well, I guess nobody's perfect so they've got something to work on. It'd be pretty boring if nobody ever got anything wrong, right? Like, what'd be the point?" The knight paused. Surprised thoughtfulness fought its way though the mask of his face only to be ruthlessly suppressed. "That is either very profound, or completely meaningless." He continued walking, this time in silence. Thom caught up once more, and now he too remained quiet for a time, trotting obediently beside the knight. When he judged that he had given the other Jedi sufficient time to relax, he stuck a foot out sideways to trip the knight up- and found himself flat on his back, gasping for breath at the suddenness of the throw the knight had used on him. "Jus' thought you c'd use a laugh," he managed to wheeze. "I am not laughing," replied the knight, heading away again without even offering Thom assistance in standing. Thom took it as a challenge. He picked himself up and dropped back into step beside the knight. After a few moments more he stuck his foot out again. For a second time he was lifted off his feet and swung to the ground, but now he was ready and his arm shot out to grab the knight's leg. The knight only saved himself with a last-moment leap. Thom's grin was uncertain as he looked up, trying and failing to judge the knight's reaction from his expression. "Nearly got you," he tried. The knight said nothing, but held out a hand. The initiate reached to take it, hesitated, then got to his feet by himself. The knight actually smiled- small and humourless, but a smile nonetheless. Then he turned and walked off again. Encouraged, Thom joined him. He knew he had the knight's interest, even though there was none showing through that careful control. Thom had enough curiosity for a freighter-load of snowcats. He was determined to find a way to crack the knight's cold exterior and find out what was underneath. -----signature----- "You Can Run But You Can't Hide" A tale of friendship, healing, and Corellian fast food http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=17272301
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 10/22/04 9:58am Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	Hurray, you posted it here. I love the dynamics of the two. You can see from the first moments how much they will affect the other - balance in all things. Great job. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 11/2/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 10/22/04 10:38am Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	I like reading this again! -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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JadeSolo Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 10/22/04 11:36am Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite) - Date Edited: 10/22/04 1:30pm (2 edits total) Edited By: JadeSolo
	LMAO! Oh, this is good. One of my first steps into the great big Jemmiah Chronicles Ocean. I like the knight. edit: And that knight would be Barin. I was totally blanking on his name. Of course, I wasn't blanking on what he looks like. Spike! -----signature----- "If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory." "May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel "No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
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Knight_Dilettante Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 10/22/04 12:07pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	Wheee heee! I love this. I love the Knight too, Jade. You'll absolutely adore him. Yea!!!!! KD -----signature----- An Improbable Mission (Qui/Mace) updated 10/16/05 http://doiop.com/Mission more in bio I'm so happy because I'm writing again!
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Jemmiah Registered: Mar '00	Date Posted: 10/22/04 1:00pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	Yay! You've started the repost. A great chance to see how it all began for Barin and Thom, one of the most entertaining and dynamic padawan/master combinations in fanfic! Thank you for giving us the oportunity to see T&B again! -----signature----- The new improved Hell's Chance Cantina! Home for many assorted JA fanfic stories!: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/index.html Open to all: have a go at Star Wars Caption Contest no.7: http://www.hellschancecantina.com/Caption_comp.html
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Odd-Thomas Registered: Jul '04	Date Posted: 10/22/04 4:15pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	I'm a newbie, so all of this stuff is brand new to me! Looks great so far. I hope you will update soon. -----signature----- Peculiar things happen to me that don't happen to other people with regularity, if ever. The dead don't talk. I don't know why. Elvis is restless...
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Lilith Demodae Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 10/22/04 8:09pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	She's back!!! And I too love this one. -----signature----- This post is brought to you by: This space for rent
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PadawanKitara Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 10/22/04 9:22pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	Wheeee Kitara does happy dance -----signature----- Courtier of the Royal Order of Shambling Dufi We are Dufi...Resistance is Futile! UCLA BRUINS
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Healer_Leona Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 10/23/04 6:29am Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	YOur timing is absolutely perfect. Was just reading all the snapshots that led up to this point and now I can leisurely enjoy the start of a beautiful freindship here. -----signature----- Break away from everybody Break away from everthing If you can't stand the way this place is Take yourself to higher places
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HaiGan Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 10/23/04 2:37pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	Here we are again! Thanks for reading, everyone. While I remember, Master Quillan (mentioned in the last post) belongs to Calamity_Jinn (I think), and Brinkley Hamin, in this post, belongs to Mouse2. The advantage of reposting, even with rewriting, is that it's rather faster than writing from scratch. Hopefully I'll be posting nice and regularly. ****** Master Fel regarded Thom with resigned irritation. "Thom Capella. Again." "I do not know why it should be that so many of those with a high midichlorian count should also be inveterate practical jokers," commented the knight. "Everyone else is getting very fed up with the whole thing," said Fel, heavily "So what punishment is it this time?" he asked Thom, although the initiate didn't think the Initiate Master actually wanted an answer. "What will stop you trying something else?" "One would think that a young man of such ingenuity could find something more constructive to do with his time," remarked the knight, dryly. "I was being constructive!" Thom protested. Fel frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but the knight was quicker. "How so?" "I was giving people practice in being alert. C'mon, any Jedi Master worth the title oughtn't to be caught out by a stupid trick like that." Fel drew himself up sternly. "The gardens are a place of peace and meditation, and are not to be disturbed with childish pranks." Thom accepted the admonishment with a contrite expression and inner glee. He had spotted the knight trying to hide a grin. Thom's pleasure at his success faded as the knight caught his eye and the man's expression grew chilly once more. "May I leave this matter with you now, Master Fel?" the knight asked, formally. "Oh yes," Fel replied, and Thom's near-perpetual cheerfulness wavered a little when he saw the Master's grim disapproval. Thom knew he would be cleaning floors for a week. Again. The knight strode away quickly, without further remark or backwards glance, almost as if he were fleeing the kabbas flies after all. Thom's sharp ears overheard his departing comment. It must have been a trick of the acoustics, for certainly that guarded young knight would never have meant the words to be overheard. “Oh damn... Just the sort of thought I can do without... The Council would never allow it... Besides, he would say no...” As he awaited the pronouncement of his punishment, Thom couldn't help wondering, with the oddest whisper of hope, just what that young knight was thinking. **** "Master Fel?" Thom asked, leaning on his mop. "Clean the floor, Thom," responded Fel, already heading back towards the dormitories. "Master Fel?" asked Thom again, this time mopping industriously at the Initiates' Common-room floor. "Keep your mind on what you're doing," warned the Master. "I want the floor finished by the time I get back." "But Master Fel!" The Master ignored him. Thom sighed through his teeth and gave the floor an extra hard rub of frustration as the Master walked out of the room. He'd only wanted to ask the name of the Jedi who had caught him throwing syrup-bombs. Now he'd have to think of some other way to find it out. ** "Take your places and log on to your terminals," instructed Nebbia-Sao, the computer-studies teacher. "And Thom- I'm watching you. No pulling out the power lead on anyone's terminal this time." Thom sniggered and slid into his seat. It had taken Ambianca a good ten minutes to discover why her computer wouldn't work during the last lesson. She'd deserved it though, he'd thought, for picking on the smaller kids just because she'd had to stay in a class with the Initiates. Thom might have felt sorry for her, as she was the only padawan and obviously felt out of place, but Ambianca had turned up her nose when he'd tried to be friendly. She'd even refused one of his glow-in-the-dark jelly worms. There was just no helping some people. "We will be looking at basic databases this week," said Sao. “Select 'Elementary Databases Lesson One' from the options on your screen, and start working through at your own pace. Raise your hand if you have any questions. You may begin." Thom scanned through the lesson without much interest. Almost every lesson in the Temple seemed to work on the principle of repetition. So far as Thom was concerned, that equated to boredom. His attention switched to the window, which partly overlooked the Temple gardens. He still hadn't been able to find out the name of the knight from the other day, the one with the attitude and the double-ended lightsaber. A thought struck the young initiate. There was almost certainly some sort of list of all the Jedi in the Temple records. A database, in fact. If he could find it, and learn how to use it, maybe he could find the name he wanted. With a sudden burst of industry, Thom went back to studying his lesson. Half way through the class, Thom raised his hand. Sao set her lips and frowned at him. Usually Thom's questions were either awkwardly insightful or put the class into hysterics. At least he had been working diligently so far. Not so much as a folded-flimsy skycar had been launched from his direction. "What is it, Thom?" Sao asked "I've finished,” the initiate announced. “Can I start the next lesson, please?" Sao hesitated with surprise, then went to peer at the boy's screen. Sure enough, the exercise was complete and almost without errors. Sao tapped her fingers against the edge of the terminal in a reflection of her slight suspicion, but she had been keeping a fairly close eye on Thom all the time and she didn't see how he could have cheated. "I suppose so," she agreed. What else could she give him to do, after all? She probably ought to encourage this new studiousness. Unfortunately, with Thom she always gained the impression that he had some ulterior motive, whatever it was he did. Thom flashed the teacher one of his bright, white smiles and bent over his terminal again as she returned to her position at the front of the class. A ghost of the smile remained as he flipped past the second lesson, which he had also finished already. He skimmed through the rest of the 'elementary' section, and started reading the 'intermediate' class. **** "Hey! Brains!" Thom made the mistake of turning at the shout. What he should have done was to start running. He realised the error as he found himself cornered by Ambianca, her friend Junine, and an older boy whom he vaguely recalled as the constant tormentor of the legendary Qui-Gon Jinn's new padawan- the one who had taken up where the last one had left off. Ambianca and Junine were spiteful, but he hadn't thought they were actually bullies. With the other padawan around to encourage them he wondered just how far they'd go. Bullies never needed much of an excuse, he thought, sizing them up and thinking fast. If the three had left it a few minutes later, Chersh and Dan-Lo would have been out of their mathematics class and he'd have had some backup. Well, he guessed he'd just have to handle them by himself. "Yeah?" he drawled, trying to sound casual. "We brought you this," Ambianca held out a collar and leash. "For the teacher's pet," Junine added. "And this." Ambianca brought out a floor mop from behind her back. "In case you get too clever and your head explodes," said the older padawan. What was his name? Brinker? Brinkle? It was similar to Obi-Wan's last arch-enemy, Thom recalled. Bruck Chun. Thom would have wondered what happened to Bruck, but it didn't seem to be a good moment. "You seem to like them so much as well,” Junine was saying. “Besides, we thought it matched your hair," added Junine, sweetly. "I wouldn't try thinking if I were you," Thom answered back. "Your brains might overheat." "It's your brains you need to worry about," growled Bronkly- or was it Brackley? Thom knew he was the one to watch. "You're so sharp you'd better be careful you don't cut yourself," Junine told Thom. "He thinks he's so clever," said Ambianca. "I think you're so boring," Thom answered with tilt of his chin. "Even your insults are older than Yoda. You're boring and thick. Rather like your name, Brick." He backed away until he could feel the wall behind him, keeping them talking, trying to push them just enough but not too far. "You could go into business as crowd clearers. You'd just have to walk up and announce the Three Boring Padawans, Brick, Amoeba and Latrine, and people would run a mile. You're about as boring as the stupid Masters who..." his voice died away and his eyes went wide as his gaze flicked over the girls' shoulders. "Uh... hullo, Master Piell..." The three padawans smirked and turned. In an instant Thom had kicked off the wall, dived past them and was tearing down the corridor- a corridor empty of anyone else, including Master Piell. "Love to talk, but I gotta fly!" he called back over his shoulder. Only Brinkley chased him. Ambianca and Junine didn't bother. Thom had beaten them in every training sprint he'd ever run against them, and verbal taunts were much more their style than physical threats anyway. Besides, there would be other opportunities to even the score. Thom skidded around two corners, becoming aware that Brinkley was faster than he was and he had been lucky to get a good head start. Quite what Brinkley would do to him if he caught him he didn't know, but he had a vivid imagination and the suggestions it was making were not pleasant. Other people, that was what he needed to find. If there were other people around then Brinkley couldn't do a thing. Thom hurtled around another corner and found what he was looking for. Unfortunately he ran smack into it. Mace Windu picked himself off the floor and frowned down at the initiate who had just knocked him out of his thoughts and onto the polished stone. "Capella. Again," was all he said. "Hey, even the Council knows me!" Thom said as he stood up, rubbing his elbow where it had collided with Mace's belt buckle, wondering if Mace hadn't noticed him coming because just for once Thom hadn't been approaching with nefarious intent. Something was nagging at the initiate's attention, though. He barely remembered in time, and side-stepped as Brinkley hurtled around the same corner Thom had appeared from, consequrently managing to catch Mace by surprise yet again. "I'll just go tell Master Fel to put me down for extra floor-cleaning duties, shall I?" asked Thom, sidling over to keep Mace between himself and Brinkley. "You will both come with me to the Council," growled Mace. "Capella, I have had about enough of your unruly behaviour; and padawan Hamin, you ought to know better than to go charging around the place playing children's games. With me. Now." Thom shrugged philosophically. So he'd have to do some talking. Fast talking was one of his strong points; and besides, on this occasion the truth was in his favour. The worst Brinkley had on him was impudence. Brinkley would have a much harder time explaining what he had intended to do. Brinkley waited until Mace's back was turned, then scowled at Thom. "Make me look bad, and I'll make you'll pay," he mouthed. "You and your friends." Thom's chin shot up. Nobody threatened his friends. He glared back at Brinkley, opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again with a snap. He stopped in his tracks, staring past Brinkley's shoulder to a short, slim, blond figure at the far end of a side corridor. "Hey!" Thom called. He saw the man hesitate and turn towards him. Then Mace's hand closed on the initiate's ear. "Enough of your tricks, Capella." Thom winced and tried to pull away. "But..." "No buts," Mace said. "Please, Master Windu!" Thom tried the wide-eyed cute look. Mace was not taken in. "Stop stalling. You are coming with me whether you like it or not." "But I only wanted to know who that knight was!" Thom blurted out. "What knight?" Mace asked, frowning. Thom turned to point, but the side corridor was now empty. The initiate's shoulders sagged. "He's gone now," he said. "I doubt there was anybody there at all. I have just about had enough of you, Capella." Thom saw Brinkley smirking, almost stuck his tongue out, then thought better of it. Why give himself any more black marks when just for once he was in the right? "Sorry, Master Windu," he said contritely. "I'll be happy to explain everything to the Council, and I'm very sorry if I hurt you." "Yes. Well." Mace cleared his throat, suspicious but unable to fault the initiate's humble manner. Thom had to fight hard not to grin at Brinkley's expression as the padawan worked out what Thom was up to, but the initiate managed to keep his outward appearance suitably subdued. Mace led the way once more. Brinkley mouthed something else, but Thom ignored him. Brinkley started to hang back. As he was ahead of Thom in the narrow corridor, Thom was forced to slow as well or to attempt to push past- and Brinkley was older, stronger and heavier. Brinkley checked that Mace's back was turned and leaned closer to the initiate. "Tell him what happened and I'll kill you, Capella," the padawan growled under his breath, unaware that Mace had stopped at the door to the turbolifts and was quite close enough to hear what was said. Thom gave a victorious smile. Mace pivoted slowly, frowning down at the now nervous padawan. "Really, padawn Hamin? I can see this is going to be a very interesting story." The lift door slid open with a cheerful 'ting!' Mace made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "Step inside." ****** Thom stared around the huge Council Chamber with interest. He didn't remember having been inside that most hallowed of places on any previous occasion, but something about the place was familiar nonetheless. Most of the Council seats were empty. Only Master Yoda and Master Gallia were in their customary places, their heads bent together in conversation. An-Paj the Healer stood between them, clearly involved in the discussion. All three looked up as Mace entered with Thom and Brinkley in tow. "A problem there is?" inquired Yoda. "Running in the corridors, behaving without due care and consideration for others and causing bodily damage to a Master," replied Mace. "And some sort of death threat made by Padawan Hamin to Initiate Capella- although having met Capella on previous occasions I could find that understandable," he added, dryly. “This is the fifth incident involving Capella in the last two weeks.” “The fifth punishable offense?” asked Adi Gallia, looking at Thom in a way that made him feel rather like a scientific specimen under an electroviewer. “That would have to go on his record,” she added, rather unnecessarily, Thom felt. He'd had had the Temple's disciplinary procedures explained to him so many times that he could recite them word-perfect himself. “That remains to be seen,” said Mace. The Masters all regarded the two boys. Brinkley looked sulky and Thom distinctly casual considering the awe-inspiring surroundings, but both managed a creditable bow. Mace turned to Brinkley. "Padawan Hamin, your side of the story?" he asked, tersely. Brinkley slewed his eyes sideways towards Thom, then looked back at Mace. "It was just a game. I was only teasing. I mean, there's nothing wrong with joking around a bit, sometimes. I didn't mean anything by it." He shrugged. "Maybe I went a bit too far, but I wouldn't really have hurt him. It's no big deal. Just a game." The padawan saw Mace's frown, and clearly decided that more was expected. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, Master Windu," he added, after a moment's thought. Thom studied Brinkley carefully. He could tell the whole story. The Masters would know he was telling the truth. He'd maybe not get the blame, for a change. Brinkley would be punished. And then what? Most likely Brinkley would go right back to bullying somebody else, Thom thought. Thom looked up at Mace, and waited for his turn to speak. "Capella," Mace said, "remembering that I happened to overhear padawan Hamin's remark earlier. You need not concern yourself about that, if Hamin hasn't already decided to tell the whole truth himself." Thom gave the Master a thoughtful look, somewhat revising his estimation of the Council member. He hadn't honestly expected to get a fair hearing. People were too used to him being genuinely misbehaved to give him the benefit of the doubt on other occasions. He was still highly dubious about the effectiveness of any punishment that might be administered to Brinkley, however. "I guess maybe I could have got Brick wrong," Thom said, not even trying to hide the fact that he didn't believe it. "But he sure sounded like he meant it." Brinkley gritted his teeth at Thom's nickname, but managed to turn it into a forced smile and gave the initiate a 'friendly' slap on the back. "'Course I was just teasing. You need to learn to take a joke. And stop calling me Brick, or I really will kill you," he added with a fake chuckle. "Anyway, that's why I was running, Master Windu sir," Thom said. "'Cos I called him Brick and he didn't like it and started chasing me and I was running away. I thought he was gonna hurt me. And I'm very sorry I knocked you over, and I hope I didn't hurt you." There was a short silence, in which both padawans had time to wonder if their story was going to be accepted. The Masters glanced across at one another. Yoda made a small gesture with one hand, giving Mace the final say. Mace nodded. "Very well. We will say that is what happened. No mark on your record, Capella- this time. Hamin, I'll be mentioning this to your Master, but you can consider this your warning. There will be no other punishment. If I hear of another incident you can be very sure that I'll look into it more closely." He paced over and opened the door, waving them out into the hall that formed a waiting-room for those with business to bring before the Council. Thom stole a sideways glance at the Master on his way past. Master Windu was hardly the most cheerful of masters, but he seemed to be even more out-of-sorts than usual. Or maybe that was just the result of having been knocked flying twice in one day. That, and the fact that he probably still hadn't forgotten the incident with the syrup-bomb and the kabbas-flies. Thom kept close to Brinkley as they headed away from the doorway. Mace might consider the matter closed for the moment, but he didn't. As soon as they were a few paces clear of the Master, he tilted his head to whisper to the padawan. "You owe me for that, Brinkley. Don't forget." Brinkley glared at him, and Thom met his gaze evenly, knowing that the padawan couldn't do a thing with Mace still there watching them. Movement to one side broke the staredown. A man had been leaning back quietly back against the wall, so quietly that the two boys hadn't even noticed him even though he was no more than a step away: a short, blond figure in the dress of a Jedi Knight. Now the knight's attention was sharply focused on Thom, his expression an odd mixture of distaste and puzzlement that was instantly blanked out as soon as Thom turned his way. Thom stared back at him, startled. "I regret the delay," Mace snapped, before Thom could think of anything to say. The knight stood up and bowed to the Mace. Mace's manner towards Thom and Brinkley had not been exactly warm, but it was a heat-wave compared to the way he looked at the knight. Thom gained the impression that the Jedi Master had carefully chosen his words to avoid making a direct apology. The knight headed into the Council Chamber, and Thom felt a twinge of regret that the man walked by without even giving him a second glance. Mace stood stiffly as the knight passed, and let the door bang closed behind them. Thom frowned at the closed door, wondering just what was going on here. Every time his path crossed that of the knight, all he ended up with were more questions! Who was the man and what was under that cold exterior? Now Thom had the twin puzzles of Master Windu's reaction and the rather odd mixture of people meeting in the Council Chamber as well. What was worse, they were questions he wanted to answer. He could cheerfully ignore just about anything that someone else asked him, and pick and choose between the problems he chose to answer in class. When it was his own curiosity that was demanding he make an investigation, however, then that was a voice he couldn't disobey. Thom scowled his frustration at his own insatiable inquisitiveness then rounded on Brinkley, who was standing with his arms folded across his chest. "Got your boots stuck to the floor, or do you just like staring at walls?" Thom demanded, temporarily forgetting the need for caution now that there were no witnesses around. "Just how do I owe you anything?" asked Brinkley, coolly. Thom remembered why they were both there. "If I hear you did anything to any of my friends, Master Windy gets to hear the whole story," he said. "It was just a game. You admitted it yourself. You're not going to tell them you lied, are you?" Brinkley leaned his weight forwards on his toes, looming slightly over the younger boy. "I bet your two girlfriends would be thrilled to get fingered for it as well, instead of just us," replied Thom, as a reminder that Brinkley had more than the potential punishment to consider. "They're not my girlfriends," Brinkley said quickly. Thom smirked, thinking privately that at least it showed the padawan had a certain amount of taste. Not that he was going to say so. "Anyway. I reckon we're kind of equal here," he said, taking a step backwards just in case he was wrong. Brinkley scowled at him. "I won't forget this, Floormop." Thom gave him one of his brightest smiles. "Hey, I even get a nickname now! Don't worry, Brick. I've got a good memory." "Don't call me Brick," the padawan growled. "Why?" asked Thom cockily- although he had by now remembered to make a careful note of his available escape routes. "Gonna hit me, Brick? Right outside the Council Chambers?" Brinkley narrowed his eyes, then rocked backwards and stuck his thumbs into his belt. "You take care, Floormop. Things happen to people who aren't careful." The padawan turned on his heel, grinding his boot into the floor as if he was wishing Thom as some kind of insect underneath, and began to saunter off. "I always take care," declared Thom to his back, privately relieved that Brinkley was content to leave revenge until later. Later, Thom himself would have had a chance to make plans of his own. "Trust me!" he added, with confidence he didn't entirely feel. He headed off in the opposite direction. He needed to find his friends and to make some plans. Most of all, he needed to answer some questions! -----signature----- "You Can Run But You Can't Hide" A tale of friendship, healing, and Corellian fast food http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=17272301
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jeday Registered: Jan '04	Date Posted: 10/23/04 3:24pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	This is wonderful! Can't wait for more!
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Healer_Leona Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 10/23/04 3:45pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	“Oh damn... Just the sort of thought I can do without... The Council would never allow it... Besides, he would say no...” But the thought is there nevertheless!! Brick, Amoeba and Latrine, such perfect names for such rotten padawans. Thom seems to be just the kind of kid who hates mysteries and that kinght is certainly turning up and catching his attention! -----signature----- Break away from everybody Break away from everthing If you can't stand the way this place is Take yourself to higher places
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JadeSolo Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 10/23/04 8:40pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	“Oh damn... Just the sort of thought I can do without... The Council would never allow it... Besides, he would say no...” Poor Thom, always getting busted. Reminds me of me. -----signature----- "If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory." "May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel "No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
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Calamity Jinn Registered: May '00	Date Posted: 10/24/04 12:59pm Subject: RE: You Can Run But You Can't Hide (OC Repost/Rewrite)
	I'm so glad you're posting this again HaiGan. It's always been one of my favourite stories and it's even better than before with your re-write (lovely touches and phrases inserted). More please! -----signature----- Check out our website for "The Jemmiah Chronicles"; http://www.hellschancecantina.com
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HaiGan Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 10/24/04 1:13pm Subject: The One with The Impressions! - Date Edited: 11/9/04 11:54am (1 edits total) Edited By: HaiGan
	An extra-long one, because I couldn't find a convenient break point. Quirida-Xac Montal belongs to Jemmiah, I think. ****** "What's up, Thom?" Chersh looped his arm through that of his friend, and hauled Dan-Lo along on his other side. "You've been kind of quiet." "It's the floor mopping," said Dan-Lo. "It's dissolved his brains." Thom ignored the remark. "Is there a Temple database?" he asked. "You what? Thom, don't go all studious on us, please," begged Dan-Lo. "Hey, don't put him off too much," protested Chersh, "He's still gotta write my Applied Philosophy essay for me!" "Good point," conceded Dan-Lo. "He was going to help me with my algebra, too." Both of them looked at Thom, who would usually have come back with a smart retort. Thom said nothing. He was staring thoughtfully down the corridor. "Thom, buddy, speak to me?" said Chersh, waving a hand in front of Thom's face. "Hey," said Thom suddenly, turning his attention onto his two somewhat concerned friends. "You don't know the name of that knight that caught us in the gardens, do you?" Chersh and Dan-Lo looked at one another, then back at Thom. "Thom, you can be really weird sometimes," said Chersh. "I guess that's a no," said Thom. "So how about a database, then?" "Dunno," said Chersh, with a shrug. "If I tell you," Dan-Lo said slowly, "Can we have Thom back please? Only we haven't seen him for a couple of days and it's getting kind of lonely without him." Thom blinked, almost as if he was waking from a doze. He gave a sheepish grin. "Can't think of any new ways of getting into trouble without me, huh?" The other two initiates brightened. "Sure we can," said Chersh, pretending to be offended. "Only your ideas are the best fun," added Dan-Lo. "Okay," said Thom, leaning towards his friends and lowering his voice. "I've got three padawans that need some really good jokes playing on them, and one of them thinks he's so big and needs squashing. But first- how'd you fancy hacking into that Temple database you were gonna tell me about?" ****** Thom propped his elbows on the edge of the holoterminal and rested his chin in his hands, staring fixedly at the screen as if an answer would magically spring into existence. Dan-Lo sprawled over his shoulder to watch. Chersh had given up on the pair, and was busy trying to find out if the electrical panel under the console could be unscrewed with the aid of his belt buckle. "Funny sort of hacking," Dan-Lo muttered. "Okay, so I lied," admitted Thom. "I just want a name." He grinned sideways at his friend. "Once I got that, we can try for hacking." Dan-Lo cheered up. Thom's brow creased a little. "Do you know how?" "How what?" asked Dan-Lo. "How to hack?" "No. I thought you did!" "Nope. I skipped most of the Computing classes right after I figured out how to upload games off ShadowNet. I only came back 'cos Sao told Master Fel." "Oh great. So what's the point of sitting here staring at the terminal?" "I've written a query that has called up all the records matching the parameters I set," Thom said, unconsciously slipping into the vocabulary he'd picked up from his database studies earlier, "but the public-access database doesn't list much personal data about individual Jedi. So even though I guessed roughly how old he is and when he passed the Trials..." "Guess when who passed the trials?" asked Chersh suspiciously, from somewhere near the floor. "Just someone," answered Thom, embarrassed. "Who?" demanded Chersh. "Someone who told me to find his name out," Thom said defensively. "Since when did you do what anyone told you?" scoffed Chersh. "Since now," answered Thom, quietly. "It's important." "Important?" Chersh sat back on his heels. "C'mon, Thom!" Dan-Lo looked between the two. "Leave it, Chersh. So Thom thinks it's important. He's done enough stuff for you before. Give him a break." Chersh shrugged, and went back to dismantling the base of the console. "Huh." Thom went back to staring at the screen. "It doesn't matter, 'cos whatever I do it's still giving me hundreds of names. Sure, there's an image for each Jedi in there, but it's gonna take ages to look at them all. I need to get into something that gives stuff like height and hair colour and things." Thom banged the console in irritation, causing both Dan-Lo and Chersh to blink at him in surprise. Then he gave a philosophical grin. "Aw, never mind. I'll think of something later. C'mon, I gotta tell you what happened earlier with Brinkley." ****** Thom slouched at the back of the line with the other initiates as they waited to enter the practice-rooms. Behind him, three girls- two humans and a wookie- chattered nervously as they re-plaited their hair. A few of the initiates were giving their clothing final checks, smoothing out wrinkles in their tunics and brushing out the lunch-stains. Some were standing casually, trying to act as if it was just another day. Others were comparing notes about who would be watching the session, discussing the best way to get noticed and to make a good impression. Today was a demonstration for those masters and knights who were looking for a new padawan. Consequently, it was one of those days that tended to bring out either the best or the worst in the initiates. There were others waiting too- Master Fel and Mother Yyr, who were looking after the initiates, and a group of padawans who were supposed to be putting on a demonstration of lightsaber exercises for the initiates during the half-time rest period. A few of the latter seemed to take pleasure in making the initiates nervous. One brown-haired joker was recounting various disasters experienced during initiate demonstrations. A tall young man, with golden bronze hair that seemed permanently blown backwards by some invisible wind, was quietly humming a funeral march under his breath. Ambianca was with them, twittering with her friend Junine and listing the failings of all her class-mates. "I wondered where they'd got to," Thom commented. "No sign of Brick, though. He's the one really needs taking down. Those two are just snippy." Chersh and Dan-Lo glanced at the group of padawans. "I 'spect Amoeba's been hiding 'cos she don't want anyone else ta hear her new name," Chersh said. "Although I bet if you'd been concentrating properly instead of... of moping about, we could have come up with something really good to do to 'em by now." "You okay, Thom?" asked Dan-Lo. "I mean, it's been three whole days since any of the Masters had a go at you for something. And you keep staring off down corridors all the time." Thom made an effort to look alert and sound cheerful. "I'm fine. So, who'd you reckon's gonna get picked today? I know who'd be just right for Chersh," he added, slyly, "Quirida-Xac's been talking about taking another padawan." "Yeah, and right after that they had ta stop him wondering off ta the Council Chambers with the pot-plant from his room, telling it it would pass the Trials in no time," answered Chersh. "Nah, I think it'll be Dan-Lo next. Master Windy wants a padawan that won't argue with him all the time." "And he'd be soooo pleased to let my friends drop by to visit too, huh?" asked Dan-Lo. "Actually, I think Yoda oughta pick you, Chersh. Then you can learn to use bad grammar as well as that Corellian accent you've got even though you've been living in the Temple since you were three months old." Thom listened to his friends' teasing discussion on their chances of being chosen, trying to make encouraging noises at the right points but not really listening. For once he was actually feeling somewhat nervous. It was the first time he had entertained the idea that he might get picked himself. It wasn't that he didn't want to be a padawan, and eventually a Jedi Knight; it was just that he had never felt any sense of urgency about it. He took life as it came, and never bothered too much about what tomorrow would bring beyond taking sensible precautions against people like Brinkley. After meeting the knight in the gardens, that had changed. Now Thom found himself wondering if the knight would show up to watch. Thom's attention was pulled away from his own musings and the conversation of his friends as another of his class-mates appeared, late for the line up and snuffling back tears. "Hey, Suffie, what's wrong?" he asked as she tried to slide out of sight at the end of the queue. "I forgot my lightsaber," she whispered, sniffing again. "And Master Jerina's here today, I saw her going in, and I had to go leave my lightsaber behind." She gulped back a sob, wiped a sleeve across her eyes, and stood up straight as Master Fel walked down the line, inspecting the initiates before waving them into the hall. "Suffie, you idiot!" Thom hissed. "They won't let you in without a lightsaber!" Ambianca homed in on the situation like a Tatooine vulture on a dying eopie. "I shouldn't worry too much," she told Suffie. "It's not as if anyone would want you as a padawan anyway." "I'm surprised anyone wanted you," answered Chersh. "Your master must've got worse taste than Master Yoda's hairdresser." "And someone who once dyed their own hair in Gabali team colours would know everything about good taste," began Ambianca. "I see the 'shapeless' look is in this season," interjected Junine, eyeing Thom's over-large tunic. The Initiates were often provided with clothing on the principle that they would grow into it- particularly Thom, who was rocketing up faster than a smuggler with a customs' frigate on her tail. "Perhaps he just shrunk in the wash?" Ambianca leaned closer, took a sniff, then pinched her nose and turned her head away in disgust. "Ew, no, I don't think he ever does wash." "Nah, I just use 'Amoeba Away'," grinned Thom, giving Ambianca a kiss on the cheek that had her stumbling backwards as fast as she could, her eyes wide with horror. "Guaranteed to repel all known laserbrains." Before Ambianca or Junine could come back with a suitable retort, Master Fel came over and the two padawans retreated. Thom handed Suffie his rather grubby handkerchief, and while she was blowing her nose he unclipped his lightsaber. He gave it to her when she returned the handkerchief. "Thom! You can't do that!" Suffie tried to push it back at him, but he held her hands away. "Shh! Master Fel'll notice." "No! It's yours, you can't." "I'm always in trouble anyway. 'Tisn't as if it'll make a lot of difference if I miss this." He quickly squashed his earlier hopes and turned around to look at Master Fel before Suffie could argue about it further, leaving her holding the lightsaber. "Weapons on belts, please," Master Fel told her. "Initiate Capella, where is your lightsaber?" "My light... Oh. I guess I must've forgot it," replied Thom, with a winning smile. "Can I go in anyway?" Master Fel harrumphed, and pulled him out of line. "If you can fetch it before the demonstration begins, you can join in at the back," he said, grudgingly. Thom knew very well that there was no way he could find a spare and still be back in time, but he kept smiling in case Suffie tried to give his own lightsaber back again. "No problem." He turned aside as the other initiates began to file into the practice room, wondering if Ambianca had seen the incident. She would probably have some scathing comment to make, he thought- but no, she was too busy gossiping with her friend again. Thom watched the padawan for a moment, an idea slowly forming. He slipped behind the line of initiates and into the space behind one of the pair of ornamental pot-shrubs that flanked the doorway. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on masking his presence with the Force as the other initiates filed past, Master Fel bringing up the rear. The padawans followed in a less regimented style, Ambianca and Junine dawdling at the back. As Ambianca passed Thom's hiding-place, he snaked out a long arm and neatly hooked Ambianca's lightsaber from her belt. Carefully removing all traces of a grin from his face, Thom darted into the hall at the back of the group of initiates. The demonstration had still not begun and Thom was able to slide into place beside his friends in the back row, ready to begin. Chersh, Dan-Lo and Suffie spotted his entrance, and he gave them a grin and a thumbs-up. He'd give them a laugh later, as well, when he told them whose lightsaber he'd just 'borrowed'. Master Fel called the group to attention, and the initiates shuffled into position. Thom craned his neck, trying to see who was watching. "There's Master Jerina!" squeaked Suffie, nervously wiping her hands on her tunic before grasping Thom's lightsaber. "Ew!" she added, as she found something sticky on the grip. "Sorry 'bout that," whispered Thom, too preoccupied to grin at her. "I wondered where that last jelly worm went." "Whatcha lookin' at?" asked Chersh, peering at his friend with curiosity. He chuckled as Thom looked embarrassed. "Got a girlfriend in the gallery? C'mon, you can tell us." "Yeah. All the juicy details," Dan-Lo chipped in. "We are your friends," he added in a solemn voice, waving a hand in front of Thom. "You can tell us everything." "Yeah yeah," laughed Thom, knocking the hand aside. "I was just wondering if that knight from the gardens would be here." "Sure," Chersh drawled, "and I'm a Huttese contortionist. C'mon, who are you really lookin' for?" "That knight. Honest!" "Jedi Scary?" Dan-Lo gave Thom a wide-eyed look. "You've got a death-wish!" Thom shrugged. "He's okay. He's kind of fun to wind up." Chersh shook his head, his face a picture of sadness. "It's sure been nice knowin' ya, Thom. If they find the body, we'll come ta ya funeral." "Yeah. I wouldn't dare try it on with him again," agreed Dan-Lo. "I can still feel that lightsaber across my neck!" "Betcha he wouldn't really hurt you," said Thom, a little scornfully. "He was just winding you up." "It worked!" replied Dan-Lo, emphatically. "I thought he could use a laugh," said Thom, unusually soberly, although he wasn't entirely sure that the knight hadn't actually enjoyed scaring the others. Secretly. Just a tiny bit. "C'mon, Thom. Face it. You're never goin' ta get a giggle out of him. An' ya can't be thinkin' of pickin' him f'r a master. I mean, be serious. If ya can," added Chersh, remembering who he was talking to. "Could too get a laugh," insisted Thom. "An' banthas might fly," scoffed Chersh. "Could too," Thom said again, his features settling into a stubborn expression. "Leave it, Chersh," Dan-Lo suggested, just as Master Fel brought the conversation to a complete close with a bellow for silence. The initiates began with basic katas, pacing through the moves in their rows, first with their lightsabers off, then with the blades active. It was quite long enough for Thom to get a look at every face in the watching group of knights and masters, decide that 'his' knight wasn't there and then to begin to feel bored. As the youngest initiates were sent to one side to repeat the exercise, and the rest were given the next set of moves, Thom leaned towards Chersh. "Watch," he whispered, carefully keeping his eyes to the front. As they began the kata, Thom schooled his features into a dour, almost miserable expression, and drew himself up very tall. Chersh eyed his friend, wondering what he was up to. For the first few moves Thom did nothing but keep in step with the others. Then they came to a two-handed overhead parry. As he lifted his lightsaber, Thom let an expression of worry cross his face, and dropped one hand to brush the top of his head. Thom went back to the normal movements of the kata, his face stern once again. Then came the next overhead block, when again he grimaced with nervousness and patted the top of his head. Chersh tried not to giggle. "Master Windy wearing a wig, right?" Thom grinned at him, then watched the front for the next kata. This time he shortened his arms and held the lightsaber in his fingertips, managing to make it look far too big for him. He made all his foot movements short, his feet shuffling on the ground. His lightsaber swung wildly with every parry and attack, his face a picture of comical relief every time he managed to complete a move without lopping his own ears off. "Master Yoda with a lightsaber!" Chersh, Dan-Lo and Suffie chorused in a whisper. "How about this?" For the next exercise, Thom tossed his head back and stuck out his chest and bottom. He pivoted long-leggedly, lowering his eyelids coyly as he spun, the lightsaber waving more like a fan than a weapon. His hips swayed suggestively as he stepped back into the starting position. Several of the initiates were surreptitiously watching by then, and there were sniggers when they recognised Sal-Fina as the target of the impersonation. Master Fel frowned as laughter drifted through the group, and he walked over to keep a closer eye on the usual suspect. With the Master's attention on him, Thom performed the next exercise perfectly. His every movement was elegant, his gangling frame transformed into the balanced poise of a master swordsman. Master Fel could see nothing to find fault with, other than the fact that Thom seemed to have developed an itch and kept rubbing his chin with one hand. The Master seemed deeply puzzled to hear more giggles coming from the class. Scouring the room for the source of amusement he headed away again. Dan-Lo leaned towards Thom. "That one had to be Master Jinn," he breathed. The instructor at the front announced that the next kata would be the last before the break. Thom gave his friends a huge wink. "Remember the newest Healer padawan?" he whispered. "Leona's padawan?" asked Suffie. "Who's Leona?" Chersh wondered. "The gentle one. She's nice," added Suffie. "Her padawan," agreed Thom. "Keep watching." There were many eyes turned in Thom's direction when the last exercise began. Thom's eyes grew wide and worried, his features painted with anxious determination. With the very first step he managed to catch his own heel with the toe of the other foot, wobbling wildly and ending up with the wrong leg forwards. He pivoted to the left instead of the right when the others turned, then twisted around in an attempt to correct the mistake, his feet slipping on the mat and spinning him in a complete circle. Spurred on by laughs from the surrounding initiates, Thom started on a series of vigorous blocks from side to side. He became more and more out of time with the others, put in an extra move in a misguided attempt to catch up, and let go of the lightsaber in panic. He lunged after it, almost caught it but instead only succeeded in turning it off and knocking it across to his other side. In grabbing at it again he sent it tumbling to the floor. The lightsaber hit his foot apparently by accident and he jumped in surprise, flipping it into the air overhead. He stared at the ceiling, looking for the lightsaber as it tumbled down towards him. Nervously rubbing the back of his leg with the opposite foot as he failed to spot it, he somehow managed to catch the lightsaber on his heel as it came down behind him and bounce it back up again. Several of the initiates were in hysterics by now but Thom did not so much as smile, his eyes growing ever wider and his expression more anxious as he tried to regain control of the errant lightsaber. He turned on the spot to see where it had gone as it spun lazily in the air overhead and fell groundwards again. It came down on top of his head, rolled as he lifted a hand to rub the point of impact, and dropped down the back of his neck into his tunic. Thom's eyes crossed as it slid down, and he contorted into the most peculiar shape as he tried to reach around and fish it out again. The entertainment ended abruptly as Master Fel's hand descended on the scruff of Thom's neck. "Capella. Again." "Uh... only joking?" Thom tried. "Out. Now," said Master Fel. "You will go to your dormitory, sit on your bed and wait there until I have time to deal with you. The rest of you will go and sit quietly along the wall and watch the padawan demonstration in silence. If anyone else so much as giggles, they will leave the room. Is that quite clear?" A soft murmur of 'yes, Master Fel' filled the room. One or two sympathetic glances were directed in Thom's direction as the initiates obeyed the order. Thom winked at his friends as they passed him, but it was a half-hearted gesture. It wasn't the thought of missing the rest of the demonstration that bothered him. It wasn't even the thought of Master Fel's punishment. What bothered him most was the thought of having to sit on his bed until Master Fel got there. Now that really was boredom. -----signature----- "You Can Run But You Can't Hide" A tale of friendship, healing, and Corellian fast food http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=17272301
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