Room 529, Just After Third Period

[weetuskenraider]

Master Atreides's class today had been the first real test of her newly integrating personality, and Tahiri was relieved that it had gone well. There were still things she had to get used to, new reflexive reactions and thought patterns, but instead of feeling like she was at odds with herself it was more a case of trying to unlearn bad habits or adjust her way of thinking.

That wouldn't be an instant fix, but it was a hell of a lot less stressful to deal with.

After class, she headed back to her room to check her messages and get caught up on what was going on at home. She might've had a little bit of an ulterior motive there. She had an Idea.

It couldn't be that bad an idea, could it? Those had only ever been a real recipe for trouble when she'd been around Anakin.

. . . keep telling yourself that, Tahiri.

[OOC: Hey, look who hasn't roomposted in forever. For the boy, but open after.]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"I'll leave Valentine's number just in case," Ben said, "but give us a few weeks? It's a big planet and Ender's brother is an absolute mynock. If he gives us any information voluntarily I'll eat my shoe."

[weetuskenraider]

"I like not having many reasons to say things like that." Tahiri was trying to keep things light, yes. "Take care of yourself. Please?"

[momslilassassin]

He leaned his forehead to rest against hers. "I promise. You too? I wish I could be cloned so one of me could stay here."

[weetuskenraider]

"Oh, no. No clones for you," Tahiri protested, bringing one hand up to curve gently around the back of his neck. "Even though I'd like to keep one of you around all the time. I'll be all right. I really will."

[momslilassassin]

"If you're not, call me," Ben said. "I'm bringing the comlink and if I get bored, I'll tinker, so it'll work eventually. Then Karla can bring Ender home and I'll talk to him when he shows back up."

[weetuskenraider]

"I'll call if I need you," Tahiri promised. "As if anything could stop you from tinkering? Or coming home without him, either. Ben, I'll be surprised if you don't."

[momslilassassin]

"Call if you miss me too," Ben said with a tiny smile. "Because I'll miss you."

[weetuskenraider]

"No ifs about it, Skywalker," Tahiri replied as if it should be obvious, poking playfully at his shoulder. "You know I will. So you'll probably hear from me."

[momslilassassin]

"Good," he said, leaning in for another kiss. "I should go."

[weetuskenraider]

"Yeah." Tahiri let the kiss linger for several seconds, wrapping her arms around Ben before letting go. She wasn't exactly eager to let him go, but heading off to help people on short notice was pretty much what they did. "Better come back with all your parts still attached, okay?"

[momslilassassin]

"Oh, if Ender makes me lose body parts, I'll be thermal," Ben said with a little laugh. "I'm coming back with everything."

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri gave him a little grin. "You know I might have to check. Just to be sure."

[momslilassassin]

"It's a date," he said with a grin, pulling back a bit. "The portal should be ready by now," he added, sounding a little regretful.

[weetuskenraider]

"Wow, another date. We're doing a good job of pretending to be normal." Tahiri scrambled to her feet and held a hand out to him. "Walk you to the door, at least?"

[momslilassassin]

This could turn into the longest walk in history. "I'd love that," he said, twining his fingers between hers.

Now that it was time to leave, stress was inching back into the way he held his shoulders.

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri squeezed his hand as if it could drain some of the tension, walking about as slowly as she could stand to. "Hey," she said softly. "You'll do astral."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm worried," Ben said, admitting something he wouldn't tell anyone on the planet.

[weetuskenraider]

And Tahiri wouldn't let on to anyone. "I'd think you were crazy if you weren't."

[momslilassassin]

He clung to her hand like a lifeline. "I'm crazy anyway."

[weetuskenraider]

"Nice try," Tahiri said gently, squeezing his hand a little tighter. "Different kind of crazy."

[momslilassassin]

"I am many, many kinds of crazy," he said with a wry little smile.

[weetuskenraider]

The closer they got to the door, the more Tahiri tried to shorten her stride. (A feat in and of itself, since it was never exactly long to begin with. Not dirty.) "Overachiever."

[momslilassassin]

"It runs in the family," Ben said, who was practically walking backwards, he was going so slowly. "But it runs in Ender's too, so meeting them should be a treat."

[weetuskenraider]

"Look at it this way." Tahiri might as well be shuffling her feet in place for all the progress she was making. "At least you won't be caught unprepared."

[momslilassassin]

"Peter reminds me of Jacen, from the little Ender has ever mentioned," Ben said sourly.