Qui-Gon Jinn groaned audibly. Why did HE have to be the one to watch the initiates? Was it because he was the oldest Jedi NOT on the Council? Or was it because the Council was still angry with him for his latest stupid stunt?
Either way, he was doomed to a full day with the younglings. So now he had to find something to do with them. On the way down to the Initiates’ quarters, he wracked his Jedi brain for ideas on how to keep thirty-five children of all ages and races occupied.
Of course, nothing could prepare him for what waited in that wing of the Temple. When the door opened, thirty-three Force-sensitive children sat quietly, waiting for him. There were two boys, though, that were anything but well-behaved.
Naturally, the two that he found fighting, he recognized instantly: Bruck Chunn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Qui-Gon cleared his throat and the boys stopped in mid-punch.
"Take your seats PLEASE," the older Jedi demanded, and they obeyed, each trying to get in the last hit as they did so. He waited for a moment, until the children had calmed, then proceeded with his last-minute plan, begging the Force to let it work.
"Today, we will be playing a game."
"What sort of game?" one of the small Twi’leks asked.
"Its called Qui-Gon says."
"That’s ridiculous!" Bruck bellowed.
"Shut up!" Obi-Wan whined in the older man’s defense.
"No, YOU shut up, Oafy-Wan!"
"SILENCE!" Qui-Gon demanded, and the ruckus ceased. "Now…here are the rules. I will give a command, but you only follow if I say ‘Qui-Gon says’ before it. If you follow without those words, you are out and must sit down." All of the children giggled and started to bounce in their seats. "Okay…let’s try this. Qui-Gon says stand up." All the children stood. "Qui-Gon says stand on one foot." They obeyed. "Turn around." About half the room turned, and were told to sit down.
The game went on in this manner until only two remained standing: Obi-Wan, and the smallest child in the group - a Rodian by the name of Banco. By this time, Qui-Gon was calling out commands at lightning speed. The rest of the crowed was cheering them on as they twisted and turned at the Jedi Master’s commands.
"Qui-Gon says stand on one foot. Qui-Gon says levitate. Qui-Gon says kneel. Sit down." Still in the rhythm, Obi-Wan plopped down on the floor, then realized he had lost.
At this point, Bruck jumped to his feet, squealing. He ran over to the pouting boy, pointed, blew a raspberry, and called out,
"HA! He didn’t say Qui-Gon says!!!"