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[Ezra makes a dismissive sound at the comment, not even thinking about any lingering pain from his healing concussion. That is absolutely not important right now, Qui-Gon.]

Yeah, I'm fine. Come on, you didn't answer my question!

[He sets the pot down on the table, impatient and eager.]

This is a Lothal daisy! How'd you find it here?

[Qui-Gon turns back to his tea, sprinkling some leaves into another pot before pouring some hot water over them.]

How are you so sure it was me?

Perhaps Obi-Wan or Rey found it and wanted to surprise you.

[Now he's just teasing.]

[That just earns Qui-Gon an incredulous look.]

I'm not sure Rey would know what to do with a daisy even if someone gave her a datapad with instructions, and Master Kenobi grows mushrooms.

[And a few other things, but his point still stands!]

Besides, I haven't talked to either one of them about flowers on my world. You're the only one who'd think I'd care at all.

[Qui-Gon covers up the teapot and places it--along with two cups--right next to Ezra's flower. He can't help the slight upturn of his lips as he fully addresses the boy with a gesture of his arm in an invitation for him to sit down.]

While I was tending to your injuries, you wanted to show me what they looked like.

So you did.

[Getting a straight answer out of a Jedi is like pulling teeth.]

[If sitting is what it takes to get a straight answer out of him, Ezra's going to sit. He's invested enough in this flower's presence that he's not inclined to just drop the question.]

I showed you? I don't remember that.

[He frowns a little skeptically about the explanation there.]

I'm surprised anything I drew with a concussion was recognizable. I'm not that great an artist to begin with.

[Certainly nowhere near as good as Sabine. Buuut his opinion might be a little biased there.]

[Great! Now they can have a nice chat over tea. Because that's how all nice chats begin.]

[Qui-Gon lowers himself into a seat himself and neatly folds his hands in front of him. The tea isn't ready just yet, so he doesn't bother touching it.]

Perhaps I should also clarify: you caused a few flowers to bloom while you were injured. I just happened to bring one back with us.

Edited 2016-12-22 20:29 (UTC)

[He is going to make such a face at you once he's realized what you've manipulated him into here, Qui-Gon. Sitting still and drinking tea isn't something he really enjoys. Probably more so now because he's been having to get a lot of rest.

But right now the conversation is engaging enough to make up for any sitting still. Ezra blinks at Qui-Gon, startled. The sheer impossibility of that statement if this were any other world has worn down a lot during his time here, but that doesn't change the fact that he's surprised. He's not the one usually making things grow around here.]

I did?

[But there's the evidence, staring him in the face with a shining emerald center. Ezra's eyes fix on it for a minute before his brows furrow.]

And you brought one back then? With your hands full?

[Literally full, with an injured teenager.

Master Jinn, your priorities...]

[He!!! Needs!!! To!!! Rest!!!!!!!]

[In any case, Qui-Gon's expression doesn't change, still as mild as when Ezra first approached him about the Lothal daisy.]

That's only a minor setback to the more... creatively-minded.

[He used the Force in a completely trivial way do not follow his example, child.]

And I thought it would serve as effective motivation for your recovery. I was simply thinking ahead.

[Doesn't mean he has to like it!!!

But right now, he's putting pieces together with that casually phrased hint, and the corner of Ezra's mouth lifts.]

You used the Force.

[That could almost be an accusation. From a more traditionally raised Jedi, it would be. But Ezra's not, and he's still got a strong mischievous streak that says it's 100% okay to be a little casual with rules when there's a need.

So yeah, that's not an accusation. Just more of an amused "I caught you, Master Jinn."]

But I don't get it. How would a flower motivate me to recover?

[He says as he happily props his elbows on the table so he can rest his chin on his hands to look at the flower up close.]

[He won't even try to deny it.]

[Instead, Qui-Gon smiles enigmatically and focuses on Ezra's question.]

Many people forgo the emotional aspect of recovery in favor of the physical. We forget that to appropriately convalesce, we need to remember why we wish to get better.

The flowers only appeared when you were sharing a pleasant memory with me. That must mean they're important to you. That they make you happy.

[Ezra knows that Qui-Gon's probably not trying to probe, but the remark still makes him pause, eyes flickering from the flower to the Jedi Master's face. Up until now, he hasn't really talked about his past, beyond a few general things. Qui-Gon wouldn't know why he likes these flowers in particular.

But does Ezra want him to know?

Finally, he just shrugs, playing it down a lot.]

They always seemed to like me being around. It was nice.

[He didn't get that feeling a lot after his parents were taken and he started living on the streets. People don't really trust or like street kids, often for good reason. He doesn't know what Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan would think if they knew how he grew up, but... Well, maybe he's being stupid, but their opinions have started mattering to him. He doesn't want to find out what they would think.

Reaching out to touch one of the petals of a new bud, encouraging it to uncurl, he tries for a smile.]

If they grow when I'm happy, maybe I can steal part of Master Kenobi's garden for practicing happy thoughts.

I think he would like that.

[Where Ezra attempts a smile, Qui-Gon succeeds. He lifts the lid off the teapot and checks its contents. Satisfied, he begins to pour them both some tea. Ezra's cup comes before his own, and he slides it along.]

[He can sense Ezra's hesitation even without the use of the Force. Years of working with people and reading their needs and intentions has tempered that ability. But he also knows when not to pry--trying to coerce the boy into talking about himself before he's ready would only make him clam up, and above all else, Qui-Gon wants to earn his trust.]

We could all use a reminder of happiness from time to time.

[Qui-Gon's timing is absolutely perfect (suspiciously so, some might say) and the tea comes at a perfect moment to offer distraction. Ezra takes his cup and sips from it, trying to decide if he likes the taste.]

Yeah...

[Although, speaking of which...

Ezra frowns now, and it has nothing to do with any of his previous pensive thoughts.]

Master Jinn, I'm worried about him. [A hesitation.] He's been growing mushrooms a lot.

[They don't usually discuss the mushrooms.]

[Qui-Gon's giant hands eclipse his own cup as he holds it and thinks on Ezra's words. A few moments of silence pass as he consults his own feelings on the matter, a clear mind and quiet reflection allowing him a chance to rationally approach his emotions. Such is the Jedi way (or how it should be, at least).]

I'm worried about him, too.

[And the effect Anakin's return is having, but he won't broach that topic out of respect for his former Padawan. Any information he wants to have known is up to him to share.]

I'd like to do something nice for him outside of the usual help. Any ideas?

[Qui-Gon already has some of his own, but this is a nice way to get Ezra thinking about some positives, even if just for a moment.]

[The question is harder to answer than it sounds, at least for Ezra. He's only known Obi-Wan for a few weeks. That's not much time to figure out what might cheer someone up. Still, Ezra's had time to give this some thought.]

He needs something that will make him stop thinking about whatever he's worried about. [That part's said with a firm nod.] So it can't just be something to make him smile. It's gotta be something to keep him thinking about something else.

Does he like going on missions? You were his master. Maybe going on a mission with you would help.

[While Ezra speaks, Qui-Gon takes a thoughtful sip of his tea, keeping his eyes locked on the teenager across from him. Truth be told, he does have a point, and despite only knowing Obi-Wan for a couple of weeks, he's done a good job in pinpointing some key ideas. It may have to do more with general logic than actually being in tune with Obi-Wan's personality, but the effort is what counts. It means he's taking Qui-Gon's request seriously.]

Missions did serve as a useful and productive distraction during hard times.

Maybe the task board will have a long term assignment. Something to last a few days.

If our extended absence is alright with you. I'd rather not leave you alone if it would make you uncomfortable.

[Ezra's smile this time is more genuine, not just an effort to deflect Qui-Gon's concern.]

Don't worry, Master Jinn. I've been taking care of myself for a long time.

[It's an admission he's willing to make this time because it's serving to help keep the focus of concern on Obi-Wan.]

If something comes up, I'll be fine, I promise.

I am relieved to hear that.

[He means it. The last thing he wants to do is take a kid in only to dip out a month later without explanation--that's decidedly not cool. Now he just has to trust Ezra not to throw any parties and invite all the cool kids to their home. Rey's going to have to discourage that.]

[Qui-Gon raises his eyebrows and gestures with his head towards Ezra's cup, ready to change the topic.]

How is your tea?

[Rey would probably do a really good job of that. You know, assuming Ezra was inclined to throw parties in the absence of any Jedi Masters.

Attention drawn to his tea, Ezra shrugs and takes a sip. If he's honest, he'd gotten sidetracked from drinking it and had all but forgotten it was still in his hands.]

It's okay? I don't really drink tea a lot.

[Though he's been drinking more of it recently, with as much as Qui-Gon makes it and shares. Sometimes it's almost like the Jedi Master feels like it's the only way to have a conversation with someone.]

Are there teas that are more like juice? I usually drink that more.

[Let's see if he can make a bid for a little change...]

[For the briefest of seconds, Qui-Gon gets a look on his face that pretty much says "Are you fifteen or FIVE?", but he wrestles it under control and answers Ezra's question in earnest.]

Some are sweeter, yes.

I'll see what I can find the next time I go to the market.

[Because if he's going to force his drink of choice on everyone, he may as well be accommodating.]

Any other requests?

[Well, he could have asked for caf, but somehow he thinks Qui-Gon wouldn't be so accommodating with that when Ezra's supposed to be resting right now. Ezra's picking his battles! Aren't you proud?

Besides, there is absolutely nothing wrong with juice. It keeps well when it's bottled and it satisfies a sweet tooth.

~~He's still five.~~]

I guess there's no meilooruns here.

[His mouth twitches for a moment, but Qui-Gon wouldn't get the in-joke. Probably wouldn't fall for the wild Loth-bird hunt, either, if Ezra tried to send him out for the fruit, like Hera did with him and Zeb once.]

I dunno. Fruit? Whatever you can find that's not expensive?

[He's aware that it's winter, so fresh fruit might be a little bit harder to come by. But fruit was a major staple of his diet on Lothal, cheap when he could afford it, easy to steal or con from people when he couldn't, and he sometimes finds he misses eating as much of it as he used to.

Hush. Balanced diets weren't exactly high on his priorities at that time.

As requests go, though, he thinks it's a reasonable one, so he allows himself to look at Qui-Gon with a certain amount of hope.

Just how immune is Qui-Gon to hopeful, big, blue padawan eyes?]

[Answer: not every immune at all.]

[It's no secret that underneath Qui-Gon's stern outer shell there is a chewy caramel center that's susceptible to nearly any kind of request (unless he has a very good reason for not wanting to fulfill it). So Ezra won't have to work those puppy eyes very hard to get a nod from the Jedi Master.]

While the selection won't be ideal, I'm sure there will be something. I'll keep an eye out.

[But no caf. Ever!!!]

[Hate to break it to you, Qui-Gon, but Ezra occasionally buys himself caf when he goes out. Or coffee. Whatever they call it here. Qui-Gon's probably noticed when Ezra's come home slightly more wired on the days that he does. Just be glad he doesn't make enough money from his odd jobs to make a habit of it.

But right now that's not really a factor, not with Ezra having to stay home and rest. In fact, the promised fruit is treat enough to make up for missing out on caf. Ezra's eyes light up.]

I'm sure whatever you find will be great. Thank you, Master Jinn.

[He takes another drink from his tea, because he knows Qui-Gon wants him to, and it's the least he can do in return.]

Can I keep the flower in the living room, so everyone can see it? I think it'll do better with more people around, too.

You're very welcome.

[Ezra you were totally raised better than th... no wait. No you weren't. Never mind.]

[But it's true, Qui-Gon's noticed a slightly more energetic Ezra during those days, but at the same time, he's not about to get on the kid's case. It's not like he's going out hanging with the wrong crowd and shooting up space heroin or something.]

As for the flower, feel free to keep it wherever you want, just as long as it is taken care of.

[Hanging with the wrong crowd was a narrow miss, Qui-Gon. Very, very narrow. No one will ever know just how much of a bullet was dodged when Maul left Verens before Ezra showed up.]

Don't worry, I know better than anyone here what a Lothal daisy needs. I'll definitely take good care of it.

[Once he's finished drinking his tea. Savor the moment, Master Jinn, because it's not often that Ezra is content to sit and sip tea in peace.]

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sithkabobed - 2016-12-25 22:48 (UTC) - Expand