Gym [Saturday afternoon]

[momslilassassin]

John had taken off for the weekend (which Ben blamed himself for), Tahiri had gone away for the day (which Ben also blamed himself for), and Ender, at least according to radio, had spent all night on a raft in the middle of the ocean.

So Ben went for his favorite form of therapy--hitting things really, really hard in the gym.

Ah, so healthy.

[OOC: Oh so open]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"And that makes them deadly," Ben said, nodding. "A former Jedi turned Sith was in charge of the Purge. He tracked down and killed every Jedi he knew about because he knew how they thought and reacted and he didn't have to worry about things like minimizing civilian casualties or listening to pleas for mercy."

And he wasn't about to mention who that had been.

[glacial_queen]

"One of the benefits of being evil is that you no longer have to worry about the strictures that confined your behavior when you were good," Karla agreed bitterly. "And you don't hesitate to strike down your friends, they way they'd hesitate for you, remembering years of friendship, loyalty, and honor."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded again. "It wasn't a great time to be a Jedi. My dad was trained by Ben before he died fighting against this guy. So Dad pretty much started the Jedi from scratch, which makes Granddad grumble about things that he thinks we're doing wrong."

Ben's eyes flashed. "On this, he doesn't really get an opinion."

[glacial_queen]

"Because he's from a different timeline? It's easy to havee opinions about things when your future is calm and rosy-bright," Karla said, sensing Ben's strong emotions but misattributing their source.

[momslilassassin]

"And he lives here now," Ben said, nodding like that's what he had meant. "He's not really a part of the Jedi Order any longer."

[glacial_queen]

"Like that would stop you," Karla said fondly. "Would you really top trying to help, just because you were no longer technically part of something? Especially something as all-consuming as this Jedi Order seems to be?"

[momslilassassin]

"No," Ben said finally, "but that doesn't mean he's not incredibly arrogant and annoying about it."

[glacial_queen]

Karla snickered at that. "Silly Ben. Don't you know our elders don't display arrogance and annoyingness? It's incredible knowledge and competence. We'll understand when we're older."

She laughed again. "Just ask your grandfather. I'm sure he'd agree."

[momslilassassin]

"Are you sure you haven't snuck into our sessions before now?" he asked, grinning.

[glacial_queen]

"Hardly," Karla replied, still laughing. "I just believe that all adults, regardless of Realm, world, universe or timeline, receives that exact speech and memorizes it, word for word."

[momslilassassin]

"And they're not being vague and pointless, they are just making us think for ourselves?" Ben replied.

[glacial_queen]

"Exactly! Answers stick better when you discover them for yourself." Karla made a face. "Just like they're not getting any kind of sadistic glee by making up do stuff. Miserable chores build character."

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "My father teaches us to use the Force by lifting rocks. I know allll about character building."

[glacial_queen]

"Why are all character building exercises painful and tedious?" Karla asked, rolling her eyes. "Why can't I ever build charachter by napping, reading, or eating chocolate?"

[momslilassassin]

"I've built character through reading," Ben said, and this was why he and Ender were such friends. "Well, and then writing reports."

[glacial_queen]

"I won't argue that," Karla said, smiling fondly at the word 'reading.' "But I know plenty of adults who would."

[momslilassassin]

"Dumb ones," Ben declared uncharitably.

[glacial_queen]

"If you're looking for an argument, change the subject," Karla said dryly.

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "I knew I liked you."

[glacial_queen]

"Course you did," Karla said, running her fingers through her hair. "I'm eminently likable. I also have a very forgiving nature. It's why I like you."

[momslilassassin]

Ben wrinkled up his nose. "Thanks."

[glacial_queen]

"Welcome," Karla said cheerfully. "Kiss kiss."

She gave him one of her best, 'Smile cause I'm adorable' grins. Granted, she didn't really have many. It wasn't an expression she practiced often. The 'run away before I bite you' grin, however...