"Obi-Wan, what are you doing?"
"Writing."
"Writing what?"
"A letter."
"To whom?"
"My pen pal. Why?"
"What are you writing about?"
"Just stuff." Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. It had been three solid weeks since Obi-Wan had joined the Temple Friends group and found himself a pen pal. In some ways, it as a good thing, as Obi-Wan was a very clumsy boy and he didn't have many friends. It was good for him to finally have someone to talk to.
But at the same time, Obi-Wan seemed to be losing track of his real life. His year of training was starting to fade in his fourteen-year-old mind. The boy only wanted to write.
/At least he's focused on something,/ Qui-Gon thought as he left the boy to finish his newest letter.
~ + ~
Qui-Gon was furious. Not only had Obi-Wan completely missed lunch, but he had not shown up for their afternoon practice. Obi-Wan wasn't the perfect pupil, but at least he had always been on time and willing to practice. This had gone entirely too far.
The older Jedi was almost back to his quarters when he heard snickers coming from down the hall. Figuring his tongue-lashing for the boy could wait a few minutes, he decided to find the source of the amusement.
Qui-Gon was surprised to find that the laughter was coming from none other than Yoda. He was laughing at a holo-letter addressed to Mr. Dayo.
Qui-Gon stared over Yoda's shoulder at the writing , and realized that the letter was the one Obi-Wan had spent all morning working on and missed practice to finish. Curious to know what the little Jedi found so funny, Qui-Gon crept into the room to read along.
"...I got in trouble again last night. I was trying to find the crystal for my practice 'saber when Master Yoda yelled at me and whacked my knees with that stupid stick! That mean little troll wouldn't even let me explain! He just kept hitting me and telling me that I was out past curfew. That little green goblin is constantly in my way. He is SO mean! Why can't that stupid little leg-whacker give me a break?"
Qui-Gon's rage melted away and was instantly replaced by a deep sympathy for his Padawan. He started to say something but paused, realizing then that he had entered the room uninvited. He slunk back to the door and raised his hand to knock.
"Know you are there, I do Qui-Gon. Reading my letter have you been."
"But Master, I-"
"Your own business should you mind, Qui-Gon."
"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon replied dejectedly and left the room. The Jedi Master skulked back to his quarters. Upon opening the door, he found Obi-Wan in the corner, looking frightened.
"I'm sorry, Master!" the boy cried out. "I lost track of time! I didn't realize it was so late!"
"Its okay, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said quietly as he locked himsel in his room. Pulling out his holo-stationery, Qui-Gon began to write.
Dear Ceam,
I am completely at a loss. I have just discovered some very disconcerting news. Obi-Wan's pen pal, Mr. Dayo, is in fact Master Yoda. To make matters worse, that little green troll has been responding to insults indifferently, making the boy believe that he truly is someone else.
Help me, Ceam... What should I do? Should I tell Obi-Wan, or should I go to Mace and try to get him to help me convince Master Yoda that what he is doing is wrong? I doubt Mace will help though. He is my friend, but he never offers help when its this important. He feels it is best that each Jedi deals with his own problems. That idiot would only tell me I am interfering in Obi-Wan's affairs, and that Yoda is probably doing it to teach the boy a lesson...
So how do I make him stop this charade?
May the Force be with you,
Qui-Gon
~ + ~
Later that night...
After seeing Qui-Gon so upset, Obi-Wan had instantly written another letter to Mr Dayo, hoping to get some answers. It was ten minutes before curfew, and he was heading down to the Temple Friends mailboxes when he heard Master Windu laughing about something. Curious, he peeked around the corner into the open room to see Master Yoda sitting in one of the chairs, and Master Windu standing by the window.
"Very funny, something is."
"I think the jig is up," Mace laughed. He handed the diminutive master a holo, at which they both started laughing.
"His own business should Qui-Gon mind. In much trouble will he be."
From his palce in the doorway, Obi-Wan recognized the writing as Qui-Gon's. Instantly, he ran back to his quarters. Though he had a letter in his hands, he had to pause. He really needed Mr. Dayo's advice...