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]

"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.

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri grimaced and at least temporarily stopped even pretending to move toward the door. "Oh. Well, isn't that kriffing fantastic? You're sure you'll be okay?"

[momslilassassin]

"I'll be fine," Ben said. "Peter doesn't have the Force. If he gets too annoying, I'll remind him who has power."

Very healthy approach, Ben.

[weetuskenraider]

Oh, yeah. Very healthy.

Tahiri bit her lip. "Be careful with that, okay?"

[momslilassassin]

"I will," Ben said. "Between Karla and I, I think I'm the more level-headed one, and I need to stay that way."

[weetuskenraider]

She looked a little worried, but there was still a world less strain in her eyes now than there had been days ago. "Okay." Tahiri let out a long breath and reached out to wrap him up in one more hug. "May the Force be with you, Ben."

[momslilassassin]

"And with you," Ben replied, kissing her on the forehead. "Love you."

[weetuskenraider]

"Love you too," Tahiri answered, and sighed. "You should go, huh?"

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah," he said, echoing her sigh and finally slipping out the door.