Before - Legends Day to Day Adventures - The Diary of Liam Nafeel (Dear Diary 2009) UPDATED 1/9

A/N: Liam Nafeel is an OC I made up when I wrote the story Strokes of Colored Grey. Then, I really didn't need a full-blown character, just an extra to stick in at one point in the story. His name was originally meant to be a joke - in my mind he always looked very similar to Qui-Gon, so I named him after the actor who played Jinn in TPM. But, however humble his beginnings as a small OC, his character has been slowly, quietly growing in the back of my mind. I want to bring him in as a regular OC in my future stories, but I don't have a written-down version of the character who is in my mind. So, in a way, this Diary is a bit of an exercise for me to expand upon his background and character. With any luck, it will be entertaining, too.

Enjoy! Here's the first post!

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Entry One:

The beginning of a story is, quite obviously, one of its most vital parts. Traditionally, an author would take great care to make the beginning of their tale very memorable and exiting, but unfortunately for any soul who might eventually read this, such is not the case with my diary. After all, I, Liam Nafeel, am definitely not an author, and considering that this is a personal diary, I don't think that it needs to be all that impressive.

My master gave me this diary today, as a birthday gift - I turned seventeen today. I have an affinity for old-fashioned, traditional pieces, and my master must have had that in mind when she bought this for me. I am still wondering where she got it. It's not everyday that one comes across an old fashioned, leather-bound, at least 300 page thick journal, especially in such good condition. I asked her how she'd gotten her hands on it, but she isn't talking. Figures.

Well, anyway, I suppose I ought to introduce myself. My name is Liam Nafeel, Jedi Padawan to Creche Master Torialk Melde. Now, before you think anything derogatory about Creche masters and their apprentices, please try to imagine for a moment what we go through every day. Taking care of children, from under one year to over nine years of age, of all different species, day in and day out. Just try to imagine yourself in that situation - really, just think about it for a minute.

There. Doesn't seem so easy now, does it? Dealing with dozens of infants and toddlers every day can be a living hell. Children are very demanding, can be very annoying, and can scream louder than an angry wookie. Add to all of this my training and classes, and life becomes pretty hectic.

Nevertheless, I wouldn't have my life any other way. I love children, and I love being in the creche. One of the biggest joys in my life is the privilege of getting to watch the children in my care grow up and become strong initiates. No, I haven't lived long enough yet to see any of the younglings grow into padawans, knights, or masters, but it is something that I greatly look forward to.

I'm smiling as I write this, as I try to imagine the faces of the younglings as grown men and women. It is a bit odd, as I myself haven't grown into adulthood quite yet. I suppose my immagination is getting ahead of reality. But hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

 

This is off to a very good start.

He's definitely an interesting OC. I've always enjoyed reading about the creche.

If you plan on PMing people, could you put me on the list?

 

Oh very good start padawan, I really like the OC so far! It's so good that you're writing and branching out trying new characters.

There. Doesn't seem so easy now, does it? Dealing with dozens of infants and toddlers every day can be a living hell. Children are very demanding, can be very annoying, and can scream louder than an angry wookie. Add to all of this my training and classes, and life becomes pretty hectic.


Boy that's the truth, I've worked in daycare before and I can vouch for that.

Anybody who thinks creche master would be an easy job needs to be stuck there doing it for awhile until they change their attitude.

 

I love this idea, a look on the life in the creche! And Liam sounds like a very interesting character.

 

This is good! I don't envy Liam at all - after a few hours, even a couple kids start to drive me nuts I like your writing, though, and I'm excited to read more. If you've got a PM list, I'd love to be on it

 

A couple minutes with screaming kids and I'm done! It will be interesting to see how this young man deals with them. Better than me I'm sure

 

C1-J2 - Thanks! You're on the list!

Jinngerbread - Thanks, Master! Yes, I've had enough experience with children to know that they can be downright evil sometimes. Lol, yes, I think that the Jedi who are less tolerant of children should be kissing the creche master's feet!

Seremela - I'd hoped that the creche would be an interesting topic to write about. So far, so good. Thanks!

NYCitygurl - I totally agree. After an hour or so, even the most charming of children are annoying. Thanks! You're on the list, as well.

MeleanaKenobi - Lol! Yes, about the same here. Thankfully the world has people like Liam and his master to deal with what the rest of us can't. Thanks!

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Entry Two:

As I write this down, it is exactly one hundred hours in the morning. Now, considering that I am not only sane, but am definitely not a morning person, there is something very wrong with this picture. Then again, when one works in the creche, one has to get used to sithly hours and no sleep. Because one of the other creche workers is out on a mission, I am replacing her for the week. I hope I can survive that long. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the nursery, or, as my master has dubbed it, 'The Infantry'. Truly, she is the queen of horrible puns.

Right now, I'm holding an admittedly adorable baby girl in my lap. After about an hour of screaming and other such trouble, she's finally decided to give me a break and fall asleep. I just hope that it lasts long enough for me to put her back to bed. With any luck she hasn't woken any of the other children, and I can go to bed, too. I pray to the Force that my hopes will not be in vain as I carry her back to her crib.

One Hour Later...

Unfortunately, my hopes were in vain. It is just like the Force to do this to me. I swear, if the Force has the ability to laugh, I can hear it laugh every time I miss an hour of sleep in this creche. Just as I put the human girl to sleep, a tiny male togruta starting screaming with all of his might. He got so loud that I had to take him two rooms down the hall, so that the other children wouldn't wake. He's still screaming, but I am pausing to write this while the droid fetches a bottle of formula. Who knew that togrutas, of all beings, could be so incredibly loud? I'm not even going to bother to ask the Force for pardon this time. Its sense of humor is too twisted for me to trust it with my sleep again.

Two Hours Later...

Finally. The baby boy togruta is asleep. Really, when his face isn't twisted up in a pout, screaming, he's rather cute. He's very small, and quite charming - deceptively so. Anyone who didn't know the little devil would think him to be the most wonderful, perfect child. I, however know the truth behind his cute little facade, and, unfortunately, have the experiences and loss of sleep to prove it. But for the moment, he's asleep, and now (finally!) I can get some sleep of my own.

 

Poor Liam!! Those babies sound pretty cute when they're sleeping, though

 

Man I can sympathize with him, definitely poor Liam!

The Infantry, that's bad! I am so happy to see you writing, and writing OC's to boot! See how much fun they are?

 

Poor Liam, talk about a stressfull night!

But once they are silent and asleep, how adorable the little *cough* become!

 

I've worked with kids enough to know exactly how he's feeling.

Great update!

 

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated more. The past month or so in school has been utter torture. Now that I actually have time where I'm not writing huge papers, preparing for a debate, or writing speeches, I can finally update. Lol. Enjoy.

Happy Valentines Day, Everyone!

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Entry Three:

It's been several weeks since I've written in this journal. It's not entirely my fault, though. Toddlers have the tendency to keep one very busy. Nothing much has happened out of the ordinary lately. A couple of weeks ago we got a generous amount of snow, and so the children were out playing all day. It was a fun, tiring day. Miraculously, none of the younglings got sick from the cold.

Other than the normal, chaotic happenings of the creche, nothing much is going on. Well, except for the fact that tomorrow is Valentines day. It's not that big of a thing, I suppose. I'm 'going out' with a friend of mine, Jessa, tomorrow. She and I have been friends... Ever since I can remember. We've been classmates since the creche, and best friends ever since. I'm not exactly sure why we're going out, as we are Jedi, but... I must admit, I do like the idea. I like Jess... Alot. I know Jedi are forbidden from such relationships, but if I could date Jessa, I would in a heartbeat. I'm not sure if she would feel the same, but I like her anyway. She's the best friend I think I'll ever hope to have. Maybe one day I'll muster up the courage to tell her how I feel... Maybe.

I suppose we'll have to see how this unofficial 'date' of ours goes... In the meantime, there are some screaming infants that sound rather hungry. Ah, the joys of caring for children.

 

Aww, first date!! THat's really cute