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[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.]

Fair enough.

I suppose I'll have to trust you then, Ezra.

[Qui-Gon will most certainly take the chance to savor the moment of peace, the smile on his face and the comfort with which he teases the teenager across from him providing evidence to the fact.]

[It's like a tiny oasis in this desert of suck that they've found themselves stranded in. A temporary setback to be sure, but Qui-Gon still can't shake the feeling that things will get worse before they get better.]

[Hopefully, he's wrong.]

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