NationStates Jolt Archive

The boy stood up, leaving his opened math book and his notebook on the desk. Well, the boy had interrupted her lesson sure enough, so he might as well answer the questions. "John Watsen," he answered, matter-of-factly.

The boy stood up, leaving his opened math book and his notebook on the desk. Well, the boy had interrupted her lesson sure enough, so he might as well answer the questions. "John Watsen," he answered, matter-of-factly.

Mrs. Goldman nodded and said, "See? Not so hard. Class, this is John Watsen. He is your new classmate. Treat him with naught but the best regards."

One kid raised his hand and said, "But Mrs. Goldman. He's a runt!"

Goldman then said, "There's no such thing as a runt, Stevie. If you say that word again, I will send you to Principal Lewis. As it is, you've been pretty bad, don't push it."

"As I said--he is one of you. Treat him as such. Thank you." Mrs. Goldman spoke frankly, then said, "Now, turn to page 56 in your science books, today we're doing lunar eclipses. John, your's is in your desk."

John seemed quite relieved for no apparent discernible reason--though in reality, the boy was relieved because his Force sensitivity had not been revealed to the class, to say nothing of the teacher quickly getting back on subject. It would be a shame if he had to earn the respect of the class the hard way.

So the kid fumbled around in the desk for a second or two before getting out his science book, which he promptly turned to the indicated page. Oh, yes. An astronomy lesson. The kid had seen very similar material before, though he gave no outward hint of it. He quickly and silently read down the page.

John seemed quite relieved for no apparent discernible reason--though in reality, the boy was relieved because his Force sensitivity had not been revealed to the class, to say nothing of the teacher quickly getting back on subject. It would be a shame if he had to earn the respect of the class the hard way.

So the kid fumbled around in the desk for a second or two before getting out his science book, which he promptly turned to the indicated page. Oh, yes. An astronomy lesson. The kid had seen very similar material before, though he gave no outward hint of it. He quickly and silently read down the page.

"Now lunar eclipses...."

Goldman spoke, rattling off the basic elements of one, when they occurred, and then assigned a couple of questions from the book to do from the material inside, mostly material that involved looking in the book to find the answers. She gave them a bit, while she graded some quizzes from the day before.

As this happened, the kids sneaked glances at him, and wondered what was up. Was this kid some kind of genius?

John ignored the glances, though he sensed that he was quite the curiosity. The feeling made him quite uneasy, and he consciously slowed his work so that he would not be the first in the class done, preferring to finish fifth or so, maybe tenth. He knew the kids were judging him as a genius, and he did not wish to feed such suspicions. He could only hope that the instructor would see this, and be a little cooperative. He toyed with the idea of deliberately missing a question to throw the teacher off slightly, but figured that if he signed his name to it, it better be his best work, even if he did take his time with it. When he did finish, he stuffed his work inside the desk, to be retrieved upon the teacher's inevitable demand to turn the assignment in...

John ignored the glances, though he sensed that he was quite the curiosity. The feeling made him quite uneasy, and he consciously slowed his work so that he would not be the first in the class done, preferring to finish fifth or so, maybe tenth. He knew the kids were judging him as a genius, and he did not wish to feed such suspicions. He could only hope that the instructor would see this, and be a little cooperative. He toyed with the idea of deliberately missing a question to throw the teacher off slightly, but figured that if he signed his name to it, it better be his best work, even if he did take his time with it. When he did finish, he stuffed his work inside the desk, to be retrieved upon the teacher's inevitable demand to turn the assignment in...

Well, not exactly as a genius, but the fact he was a new kid, and a young'un at that made them nervous. And, yes, the instructor did shush them, motioning for them to get to work--which they did quickly, for something told them she wasn't worth angering.

Upon the completion of assignments, she then coughed and sure enough, asked, "We're going to ask what you did, and then hand in your assignments." Mrs. Goldman then looked at John, and asked, "John, what did you put for Question One, the one that asked what is a penumbra and what is an umbra?"

John flipped back in his notebook, to the notes he had scrawled down. "The pe-num-bra is the space where there is only a partial eclipse. The umbra is where there is a full eclipse, where no sunlight reaches the moon at all, because the earth is in the way."

John flipped back in his notebook, to the notes he had scrawled down. "The pe-num-bra is the space where there is only a partial eclipse. The umbra is where there is a full eclipse, where no sunlight reaches the moon at all, because the earth is in the way."

Goldman nodded, acknowledging that it was good, and then pointed to another student, asking about, "What causes a Lunar Eclipse?"

The student stood stonefaced, and shook his head. "Um....."

Goldman then flipped back to John, and said, "Perhaps John can tell you, since you didn't do your work. John?"

John sighed, for he had a bad feeling that he was gonna end up singled out as the teacher's pet. Even though he figured it was best to answer the question so as not to embarrass himself, he figured he would draw a line telepathically with the teacher. Getting called on sometimes was fine, and to be expected, but John wanted to make sure that he would not be singled out every single time someone else got a question wrong. There were other kids in the class, too, and he was pretty sure he wasn't the only one in the class with the ability to answer the question.

He stood up to answer the question, as if nothing had happened. "It happens when the earth comes between the sun and moon, casting its shadow over the moon and blocking sunlight from reaching it."

However, even as he provided the answer, Mrs. Goldman would hear something akin to a voice in her head. There are other kids in here who could have answered that question too, and I do not want to be the teacher's pet. Getting called on sometimes is fine, but I do not want to be the kid who is ALWAYS called on, mmmkay? Especially when it comes to correcting someone else.

John sighed, for he had a bad feeling that he was gonna end up singled out as the teacher's pet. Even though he figured it was best to answer the question so as not to embarrass himself, he figured he would draw a line telepathically with the teacher. Getting called on sometimes was fine, and to be expected, but John wanted to make sure that he would not be singled out every single time someone else got a question wrong. There were other kids in the class, too, and he was pretty sure he wasn't the only one in the class with the ability to answer the question.

He stood up to answer the question, as if nothing had happened. "It happens when the earth comes between the sun and moon, casting its shadow over the moon and blocking sunlight from reaching it."

However, even as he provided the answer, Mrs. Goldman would hear something akin to a voice in her head. There are other kids in here who could have answered that question too, and I do not want to be the teacher's pet. Getting called on sometimes is fine, but I do not want to be the kid who is ALWAYS called on, mmmkay? Especially when it comes to correcting someone else.

Mrs. Goldman stepped back, and paused for a moment to look about, the voice leaping into her head rather an unexpected event. The other students began to mumble, and eventually, she motioned for them to settle down, saying, "Thank you John, for your insightful answer."

She then coughed, committing the event to memory, and said, "Right, let's continue...."

As she lectured about basic astronomy, she looked nervous. One kid leaned up to John and said, "What did you do to her?"

John just shook his head as he watched Mrs. Goldman freak out. Apparently, she had never heard of telepathy, and/or she had no information whatsoever on the student who had been placed in her class. After the teacher regained her composure, John dutifully took notes as if nothing had happened.

Unfortunately, the other kids seemed to pick up on the teacher's nervousness. And at least one kid was getting unduly curious. John shrugged. "I wanted to tell her not to make me her teacher's pet without making a scene, but apparently she had never heard of telepathy," John whispered in the kid's ear.

John just shook his head as he watched Mrs. Goldman freak out. Apparently, she had never heard of telepathy, and/or she had no information whatsoever on the student who had been placed in her class. After the teacher regained her composure, John dutifully took notes as if nothing had happened.

Unfortunately, the other kids seemed to pick up on the teacher's nervousness. And at least one kid was getting unduly curious. John shrugged. "I wanted to tell her not to make me her teacher's pet without making a scene, but apparently she had never heard of telepathy," John whispered in the kid's ear.

The kid nodded and said, chuckling, "Cool. Mrs. Goldman had that coming, didn't she? She's a bit of a stiff, this lady...."

"LYNDON!"

Mrs. Goldman shouted and looked at the boy, who turned front and sat ramrod straight.

"Thank you for letting us resuming class, Lyndon. This is very important, now. Astronomy. Especially in this age of space travel, flight and massed battleships. Now, let's go on about the moon...."

She then began scratching diagrams on the orbit of the moon around the Earth, and spoke on the subject at length. Eventually, she then said, "Alrighty then. Now, tonight's homework on that subject....go to Short Answer 1 in the end of the chapter. The one that asks "Why is the moon important?" Answer Part A, "Discuss in terms of how it affects the tides," and Part B, "What would happen if we had no moon?" Now, find your Social Studies book, and turn to the section on Nova Louisiana."

John gave Lyndon a polite nod as he took the required notes on the importance of lunar topics. He did not need to bother to write down the homework assignment; for he could simply commit that to memory. Upon Mrs. Goldman's instruction to change subjects, John quickly flipped through it until the words 'Nova Louisiana' caught his eye.

John gave Lyndon a polite nod as he took the required notes on the importance of lunar topics. He did not need to bother to write down the homework assignment; for he could simply commit that to memory. Upon Mrs. Goldman's instruction to change subjects, John quickly flipped through it until the words 'Nova Louisiana' caught his eye.

The section on Nova Louisiana had a picture of the Grand Shinmei Temple, as well as pictures of exotic aliens, some crystalline, others different in their own ways. A star map was laid out, and it was clear Nova Louisiana was, given the scale on the map, no small patch of galactic real estate. It was in fact quite huge.

"Now class, today, we're going to begin dicussing Nova Louisiana. It is a land that is often misunderstood, being the second youngest of the Workers State's territories. Who here knows the history of the territory?"

She pointed at one student, who replied, "It was ceded to us by the Eternals, in an agreement with the Dornalian Government as part of our government's program of expansion in the name of Spreading the Revolution Across the Stars. Eventually, we ran into troubles with the native populations over there, and after a series of conflicts eventually involving demons from another dimension, we finally managed to assert Dornalian control over Nova Louisiana and set about building it up."

"Not a bad assessment, if oversimplified." Goldman nodded. "Nova Louisiana was the home of several rich cultures...."

She then began to speak about the locals, how they were developed civilizations before the Dornalians came, complete with literature and culture. She then tasked the class with, "Break up into groups, and research one of the cultures that existed before the Dornalians came."

John quickly scooted over to Lyndon, and any others he may have formed a group with, as he read the book's section on Nova Louisiana. He found it quite unsatisfactory, and had more questions than answers.

"On a whole the galaxy’s natives possessed rather unimpressive Force sensitivity, save for a few, and had no great doctrines. But, three races were a rather great exception to this as they were amongst the most unique of the galaxy. The first race was the Tranians who were a warrior race that practiced a doctrine of mediation and endless training; these made them a race of people who were superior warriors and powerful soldiers. The second was that of the Wneians who were powerful in the Force and nearly the whole of their race was Force proficient and practiced to use the light side of the Force, but they only numbered a few million and thus were not very common. The third race was the Cuiora who were a religious race loyal to the death to their lords and friends. They are extremely skilled warriors, nearly without equals in this galaxy."

"That is all?" John asked the other kids incredulously. He shook his head in disapproval of the rather severely abridged text. Only briefly in the next paragraph did it mention anything of the Nova Louisiana War, and a few illustrations sprinkled themselves throughout the page. Though John had received most of his education thus far from the Jedi, during the few months he spent away from the Masakis, the Woodian military had assumed responsibility for his education...and provided him with textbooks with at least twenty pages on wars of comparable significance. Woodian books for schoolchildren recorded individual battles in more detail than this book recorded a war, it seemed.

Then he realized that the teacher wanted the students to report on the Eternal cultures, not the war itself. Though naturally, he was more interested in the war, because the questions on the tests he had taken concerned the war more than such alien cultures. The book was a bit better there, albeit not all that much.

"Were these the same Eternals that lived on White Diamond before the Gaian Ascendancy gave the system to Evil Woody Thoughts?" he asked the other kids, as he, being particularly interested in things such as honor dueling, took notes on the Hieari.

Then he realized that the teacher wanted the students to report on the Eternal cultures, not the war itself. Though naturally, he was more interested in the war, because the questions on the tests he had taken concerned the war more than such alien cultures. The book was a bit better there, albeit not all that much.

"Were these the same Eternals that lived on White Diamond before the Gaian Ascendancy gave the system to Evil Woody Thoughts?" he asked the other kids, as he, being particularly interested in things such as honor dueling, took notes on the Hieari.

The other kids, who also were busy taking notes on the Hieari, didn't reply much, mostly chatting amongst one another. One however, did raise an eyebrow. "You mean the same Gaian Ascendancy that we joined with the Abh and destroyed the fascists in the United Mankind with, like they said in History? Um.....maybe."

"Yeah," another kid said. "We met the Eternals when we were expanding into the New Territories. I'm betting that if those Eternals you describe had the ability to bring rare gems and do so much with magic like yers, then they're the same."

It was thankful that the kids learned this much. Indeed, Mrs. Goldman began passing out some packets, saying, "Here's some material, kids. You might find those texts a little slim, so here's some supplementary material." The packets detailed more about Hieari customs in the case of John's group. They included passages about Hieari dueling in ritualized combats akin to Greek pankration, crystal sword manufacture, the Hieari caste system, with its three tiers of "Highers," (aristocrats who had land and money, with natural priveleges and dibs on governance, religion and military control) "Middlers" (a rigidly fixed middle class and professional group) and "Lessers" (peons and poor folk of all sorts), and its tradition of glassware in other ways and smatterings about martial culture and gender roles that were substantative.

"Yeah. I think those Eternals. The same ones that built the world that I was born on..."

Then John received the supplemental handouts from Mrs. Goldman, and promptly read them. "Oh, the Hieari are like the Coredians," he said a bit glumly. The bit about honor dueling had caught his eye, and the glassware traditions were somewhat cool, but the boy could not hide his disappointment at the Eternals using such an oppressive caste system.

"Yeah. I think those Eternals. The same ones that built the world that I was born on..."

Then John received the supplemental handouts from Mrs. Goldman, and promptly read them. "Oh, the Hieari are like the Coredians," he said a bit glumly. The bit about honor dueling had caught his eye, and the glassware traditions were somewhat cool, but the boy could not hide his disappointment at the Eternals using such an oppressive caste system.

One of the kids said, "The Hieari are here." He pointed to a pic of some elven-looking folk. "They say they're related to some sort of elven race from elsewhere, though the biology's controversial."

"I meant like the Coredians, socially," John replied. "The Coredians have government-by-birth, with anyone who is not born an aristocrat subject to pee-on status. Occasionally, a pee-on Coredian will make it to the muddle-class professional ranks, but it is not like the Coredian Government actually spends any credits on schools in poor areas to give poor kids those opportunities. And a poor kid would never become an aristocrat. It seems like the Hieari are the same way."

Of course, John failed to realize the irony of a kid who had once been adopted into the Royal Family saying that. But it wasn't as if he ever got along with them, anyway...

"I meant like the Coredians, socially," John replied. "The Coredians have government-by-birth, with anyone who is not born an aristocrat subject to pee-on status. Occasionally, a pee-on Coredian will make it to the muddle-class professional ranks, but it is not like the Coredian Government actually spends any credits on schools in poor areas to give poor kids those opportunities. And a poor kid would never become an aristocrat. It seems like the Hieari are the same way."

Of course, John failed to realize the irony of a kid who had once been adopted into the Royal Family saying that. But it wasn't as if he ever got along with them, anyway...

The kids laughed. "Yeah, so what?" one of them said. "They're shootin' Imperials. I say the less of them alive the better. Besides, I hear Danny Masaki can shoot lightnin' out of his ass!"

"Says who!?" said another kid. "Yer sister?"

The group laughed. A sly reference to the fangirl culture no doubt. One of the other boys said, "Yer sis would love that." That provoked a minor fight, whereupon Mrs. Goldman walked over and said, "Boys, stop!"

The boys stopped, and said, "Sorry, Mrs. Goldman. Billy was talking trash."

"Well, we don't talk trash in here, I thought I reminded you of that. One more instance of this and you get facetime with the principal! As it is, you have to present this material in front of the class in five minutes, so stop messing about." She then walked on to the next group. The kids quieted down and began distilling points.

"Yeah, they shoot Imperials," John admitted, "though their system wastes a lot of talent, and ends up putting a lot of incompetents in high ranks. Like Hiashi. Just sayin'. Anyway, I will do the caste system."

Sure enough, five minutes later, Mrs. Goldman called on John's group to present, possibly making them go first as a mild punishment for the 'fight.' John quickly stood up to deliver his spiel.

"The Hieari have a rigid caste system," he began, "where birth determines status in life. Those born to high officials will enjoy lots of government power, those born to muddle-class professionals will grow up to be middle-class professionals, and those born as pee-ons will face a life of oppression and generally, well, getting peed upon by those above them, regardless of any talent they may have. If a pee-on proves to be good at something, that ability will be suppressed, and he will not be able to use that ability if it does not belong to his caste. Those born to high officials will be high officials themselves later in life, regardless of how incompetent they prove to be. Kinda reminds me of Coredia, actually..."

"Yeah, they shoot Imperials," John admitted, "though their system wastes a lot of talent, and ends up putting a lot of incompetents in high ranks. Like Hiashi. Just sayin'. Anyway, I will do the caste system."

Sure enough, five minutes later, Mrs. Goldman called on John's group to present, possibly making them go first as a mild punishment for the 'fight.' John quickly stood up to deliver his spiel.

"The Hieari have a rigid caste system," he began, "where birth determines status in life. Those born to high officials will enjoy lots of government power, those born to muddle-class professionals will grow up to be middle-class professionals, and those born as pee-ons will face a life of oppression and generally, well, getting peed upon by those above them, regardless of any talent they may have. If a pee-on proves to be good at something, that ability will be suppressed, and he will not be able to use that ability if it does not belong to his caste. Those born to high officials will be high officials themselves later in life, regardless of how incompetent they prove to be. Kinda reminds me of Coredia, actually..."

Mrs. Goldman nodded and replied, "Middle class, not muddle class, Mr. Watsen. And please don't make unnecessary reference to bodily functions. We frown upon that here." She didn't comment on the Coredia bit, but John could tell on a physical and psychic level she didn't feel it was worth caring about mostly because it wasn't relevant to her lesson.

"The Hieari have a system of honor combat. They use a form of wrestling and kung-fu to solve disputes involving money, women, and of-off-" The kid asked, and was told, "Offenses to honor."

"Right."

The next kid said, "Hieari are also known for elaborate glasswork. They make fine vases, statues, and legendary crystal swords that are prized by collectors. An example is the statue of Kahshir, in the middle of Alveria, Hieara Major, the capital of Nova Louisiana SSR."

"And, they're known for being somewhat Elven. They don't know why this is, although scientists are workin' on puzzling out the connection. They seem similar to our elves, and many other elven communities, at least in...bi..b-"

"Biology," Mrs. Goldman said.

"And," Lyndon said, "They're known for being traders and fighters. They had a culture that also focused on trading, with a fair amount of battle mixed in. They were known for being shrewd persons who made lots of money, and fought small wars within their system. They didn't like fighting much, but they were said to be powerful when they did it."

"And, they had a society where girls and boys were equal."

Mrs. Goldman nodded and said, "Good." She dismissed them and asked the next group to come. And the next, and the next....until Mrs. Goldman was satisfied. She then said, "Good, good. Now, these cultures made contact with the Dornalian Government....contacts were a mixed bag, and intially peaceful, although this soon changed...."

She eventually spoke and continued lecturing for a bit. Lyndon, meanwhile, said in a whisper, "Good show, kid. Just to let you know, Mrs. Goldman is a bit of a hardass. Don't make a single mistake around her, especially in terms of language."

John quickly sat down, giving a cursory nod to Mrs. Goldman's clucking. Meanwhile, as for Lyndon's warning about Mrs. Goldman being a hardass...John sent his own response in the form of voices in Lyndon's head.

Yeah. I hope you do not mind the telepathy, but I do not want Mrs. Goldman catching me talking in class. I will try not to upset her.

John quickly sat down, giving a cursory nod to Mrs. Goldman's clucking. Meanwhile, as for Lyndon's warning about Mrs. Goldman being a hardass...John sent his own response in the form of voices in Lyndon's head.

Yeah. I hope you do not mind the telepathy, but I do not want Mrs. Goldman catching me talking in class. I will try not to upset her.

Lyndon nodded, as the rest of the class went by smoothly. Then, it was time for recess. The bell rang, and the class was dismissed for about 45 minutes. As this occurred, Mrs. Goldman then led John to the side, saying, "John, I need to see you about something."

She then asked, "Do you possess any psychic powers? I thought I heard your voice in my head, and I didn't get a chance to see your file yet."

"Yes. I am a Force user. You did indeed hear my voice in your head. I did not want to make a scene in front of the class when I told you that," John replied to the teacher.

"Yes. I am a Force user. You did indeed hear my voice in your head. I did not want to make a scene in front of the class when I told you that," John replied to the teacher.

"I see. Well, I would like to remind you that the school makes it a point to support folks like you with special abilities. See me after school to discuss your options." She then smiled, and let him go.

When he did go to the yard, Lyndon caught up with him and said, "What did she say? Did she give you the nth degree?"

"Not yet. But she probably will after school," John replied after going to find Lyndon, not really wishing to divulge that the teacher wished to discuss his 'options' concerning Force sensitivity.

"Not yet. But she probably will after school," John replied after going to find Lyndon, not really wishing to divulge that the teacher wished to discuss his 'options' concerning Force sensitivity.

"Yeah, no kidding, eh?" Lyndon shook his head, saying, "I tell ya the old hag....she can be a bit much. Come on, let's go to the jungle gym. Race ya!"

Then, Lyndon fell, tripped by a bigger kid and a group of toughs. Surrounding their little group, the kid leaned in and said, "Won't ya look at this faggot!?" The group of bullies got a good laugh, for some reason that probably had to do with sadism. He then smirked evilly and looked at John and Lyndon, saying, "Alright, meatbags. You know the drill. Fork over your lunch money, or we get mean." He then kicked Lyndon, saying, "You get me!?"

"You soooooooo did not just do that. I am sorry, but I left all of my lunch money behind at Coredia," John snarked back. At this point, John decided to have a bit of fun by projecting various thoughts into the bullies' minds by using telepathy. If this particular school followed the infamous "zero tolerance policy" (doubtful, as Dornalian culture was quite aggressive, after all), he was forbidden from defending himself on pain of expulsion, but no one would be the wiser if he used telepathy to make the bullies look like idiots. Without another trained Force user present, it was all but impossible to prove.

Your buddy over there has four hundred credits in his pocket.

Directed at aforesaid 'buddy...' The guy who always demands lunch money? He wants to have gay sex with you.

Your friend stole your stash of snuff porn.

And so on...

"You soooooooo did not just do that. I am sorry, but I left all of my lunch money behind at Coredia," John snarked back. At this point, John decided to have a bit of fun by projecting various thoughts into the bullies' minds by using telepathy. If this particular school followed the infamous "zero tolerance policy" (doubtful, as Dornalian culture was quite aggressive, after all), he was forbidden from defending himself on pain of expulsion, but no one would be the wiser if he used telepathy to make the bullies look like idiots. Without another trained Force user present, it was all but impossible to prove.

Your buddy over there has four hundred credits in his pocket.

Directed at aforesaid 'buddy...' The guy who always demands lunch money? He wants to have gay sex with you.

Your friend stole your stash of snuff porn.

And so on...

The result was first a flurry of odd looks. Then, the Bully said, "What? What the fuck are you lot doing?"

"Get the fuck away from me, you sicko!" The other man said. "I'll...kn-knock you flat!"

"What the shit! You're the one hoarding cash!"

They then began arguing with one another, the confrontation becoming physical at times with shoving and shouting. Lyndon staggered up, and said, "John, that was genius. Now let's scram."

Lyndon then began walking away carefully, as the bullies were distracted.

Yeah, John replied, telepathically so as to avoid the attention of the bullies as he communicated with Lyndon. I did not want to be the one in trouble for sending them to the hospital. Where you want to go? John asked, as he (outwardly) quietly followed behind Lyndon.

Yeah, John replied, telepathically so as to avoid the attention of the bullies as he communicated with Lyndon. I did not want to be the one in trouble for sending them to the hospital. Where you want to go? John asked, as he (outwardly) quietly followed behind Lyndon.

"Jungle gym. Let's see who can climb the fastest." Lyndon walked to the jungle gym with John, and began to climb, saying, "Race ya."

"Sure." John scrambled up the bars as quickly as he could, without cheating by using Force techniques for speed. Still, others in his class would be able to tell by his performance that just because he was two years younger, and a bit smaller, than everyone else, did not necessarily mean he was weaker than everyone else, thanks to some intense physical training requirements placed on him by both the Jedi Academy and Woodian military tutors...

"Sure." John scrambled up the bars as quickly as he could, without cheating by using Force techniques for speed. Still, others in his class would be able to tell by his performance that just because he was two years younger, and a bit smaller, than everyone else, did not necessarily mean he was weaker than everyone else, thanks to some intense physical training requirements placed on him by both the Jedi Academy and Woodian military tutors...

"WOAH! Wait up! Wait!" Lyndon began scampering as fast as he could, rushing to keep up with John as he huffed and puffed. The commotion brought kids from all over streaming to the area, and they began to point and gawk as Lyndon and John began to compete. Eventually, two others began to compete as well...

"You issued the challenge; you should have prepared for it!" John called back, not bothering to slow down for Lyndon. About five seconds later, the new kid reached the top. He would have rather had a race up something more substantial like a mountain, but even in Denver, the Front Range was not a playground toy. Surprisingly enough though, he just turned around to look at the other kids, eschewing the gloating that would have come from 99% of kids his age.

"You issued the challenge; you should have prepared for it!" John called back, not bothering to slow down for Lyndon. About five seconds later, the new kid reached the top. He would have rather had a race up something more substantial like a mountain, but even in Denver, the Front Range was not a playground toy. Surprisingly enough though, he just turned around to look at the other kids, eschewing the gloating that would have come from 99% of kids his age.

The kids cheered him on, whether John liked it or not. They then rushed to the jungle gym, shouting, "Try me! Try me!" and all sorts of things.

Amidst all this, the teacher's aides running the playground looked at the gym, and noted that this kid was special. They began to marshal the kids about, saying, "Alright, alright, take it easy....calm down." Calming the youths somewhat, they then moved on.

One kid lept out and said, as Lyndon moved down, "Lemme climb!"

John really did not see what the big deal was. He simply climbed back down the jungle gym, more waiting to see what the rest of the day would be like, and wondering when he would have his face shoved into the nearest Acolyte Temple, than caring about how 'special' the teachers' aides thought he was.

"Go ahead," John, with a shrug, told the kid who had indicated a desire to climb.

John really did not see what the big deal was. He simply climbed back down the jungle gym, more waiting to see what the rest of the day would be like, and wondering when he would have his face shoved into the nearest Acolyte Temple, than caring about how 'special' the teachers' aides thought he was.

"Go ahead," John, with a shrug, told the kid who had indicated a desire to climb.

He then began climbing quickly, and then stopped when he realized John wasn't following. He looked behind him and asked John, "You gonna race me, or what?"

"Never said anything about that. I would race you up Pikes Peak--but unfortunately, it is not in the playground," John replied, making no move towards the jungle gym bars in a fairly clear indication of boredom.

"Never said anything about that. I would race you up Pikes Peak--but unfortunately, it is not in the playground," John replied, making no move towards the jungle gym bars in a fairly clear indication of boredom.

The kids shrugged, and then began to break up and return to kickball, tetherball, hopscotch, and the rest. They were bored too, and it was obvious that John was going to be a wet blanket and such. What was with this kid?

Lyndon lept down and followed John, saying, "Well, whaddya wanna do now? We can't go near those jungle gyms again, they're gonna want us to race them. No way. How about some hopscotch, or some tetherball, or....."

He then looked at the kids playing kickball, and said, "Or kickball?"

"Sure, whatever passes the time, I guess," John replied. "I am more interested in hockey...but this school does not have a rink and I do not have equipment with me anyway. So yeah, let us see if we can join in..."

"Sure, whatever passes the time, I guess," John replied. "I am more interested in hockey...but this school does not have a rink and I do not have equipment with me anyway. So yeah, let us see if we can join in..."

Just then, the blare of whistles emerged, and the aides yelled, "Let's go, let's go! Recess is over!"

"Huh, that was fast," Lyndon said, as the students began rushing into the school. He then motioned for John to follow, and once inside, they were subjected to Mrs. Goldman lecturing about history, some gym, and then a little bit of art class in another room, where they had to make a drawing of a plant.

At the end of the school day, as Lyndon waved goodbye to John, his new friend, Mrs. Goldman approached John with a man in that familiar Acolyte uniform. She then coughed and said, "Follow me, John. We need to have a chat."

"Umm. OK. Am I in trouble for that telepathy from earlier?" John shuddered, remembering how distracting the teacher's reaction had been.

"Umm. OK. Am I in trouble for that telepathy from earlier?" John shuddered, remembering how distracting the teacher's reaction had been.

The Acolyte replied, "No, son. We just want to discuss your options. Come."

Leading him into a room used for Parent Teacher Conferences, the Acolyte explained, "I am Comrade Lewis from the Temple of Denver. I've been meaning to contact you for some time. Admittedly, we try to do our best to accomidate Force-using children, and in your case...well, your reputation from Los Angeles followed you." He then turned beet red at the last statement, indicating that he had been warned ahead of time by someone, likely Junko or Rebecca, in Los Angeles.

Goldman nodded and said, "Given your experience with the Acolytes, we feel it is best you let that organization handle your tutoring in the Force. Therefore, Comrade Lewis will be appointed to give you instruction and guidance in matters of that sort. Waht would be a good time for you? Once a week, after school every day, or everyday in a period of time during class hours?"

"Someone from Los Angeles told you I was coming, amirite?" John asked the Acolyte, apparently not all that happy about it. "Damn celebrity cultism. They know pretty darn well that I do not appreciate special favors."

His true feelings on the matter vented, now the kid turned his attention to actually processing what Comrade Lewis had said. "Truth be told, I do not know..." the boy replied, his voice trailing off a bit. "Getting pulled out of class every day just calls attention to it. But Elaine also said something about putting me in the local hockey league. I do not want after-school tutoring to conflict with that, either. Maybe just getting up at three in the morning and doing this before school?" John suggested, vaguely implying he had some knowledge and ability to use accelerated-sleep trances. "Better yet, we should call her for her input. She would know the hockey schedule better than I..."

"Someone from Los Angeles told you I was coming, amirite?" John asked the Acolyte, apparently not all that happy about it. "Damn celebrity cultism. They know pretty darn well that I do not appreciate special favors."

His true feelings on the matter vented, now the kid turned his attention to actually processing what Comrade Lewis had said. "Truth be told, I do not know..." the boy replied, his voice trailing off a bit. "Getting pulled out of class every day just calls attention to it. But Elaine also said something about putting me in the local hockey league. I do not want after-school tutoring to conflict with that, either. Maybe just getting up at three in the morning and doing this before school?" John suggested, vaguely implying he had some knowledge and ability to use accelerated-sleep trances. "Better yet, we should call her for her input. She would know the hockey schedule better than I..."

Lewis smiled nervously, and said, "I suppose I could do early morning tutoring with Force Sleep trances." He then laughed and said, "Though that means I have to refresh my memory on that point." He then tapped his chin and replied, "Only question here is how to get to where to where we're going to train? And for that matter--where are we going to train?"

Goldman nodded. She was a little concerned about it, though she knew little about Force Sleep....

The Jedi Order can no longer be considered the guardians of peace and justice, when their justice is corrupted by their high officials shuffling bribes around to run a nation for their own bank accounts. I cannot in good conscience consider myself a member of such a fallen organization, where bribery is so widely accepted and considered good business. Because the Jedi stand for corruption, I never have been, nor will I ever be, among their ranks. I disavow any former association I had with them, and I invoke the Right of Denial to cancel any ties I may have ever had with the rampant corruption and greed of the Coredian aristocrats, who coincidentally also happen to run the Order.

/signed, John Masaki Watsen

For effect, he marked a big X through the word 'Masaki' before handing the note to Rebecca to deliver with the lightsaber. "And I still need to give the other lightsaber to the guy whose fingers I cut off," John reminded her. "I hope Junko's mistake did not make me too many enemies...hey, wait a minute." The note flew back into his hands.

P.S. I know that you have set up a large slush fund for me. I know that I will never in the foreseeable future know whether or not the deposits funded Corruption and War Crimes, because you would never dare to investigate a deposit under a Masaki name. Monarchies work that way. On the one hand, I must know whether or not I am personally tainted by the corruption, on the other hand, I know you will never tell me the truth, that you will never seek the truth. All I ask is that the money be used to correct Coredian War Crimes--yes, War Crimes that your ignorance allowed to happen--instead of being used to bribe various senators.



Some Time Later...

The package had one hell of a ride before it reached my desk. It got 'Lost in Spaaaaace', then 'Attacked by the Fifty Foot Space Monster', followed up by a 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' and through 'The Mummy Menaces Melody McManson' before it finally reached Coredian space and my desk, whereby I was treated to a lightsaber and a rather lengthy rant by the eight year old Masaki, or ex-Masaki I should now say.

My reaction? Well, if you mix bemusement, disappointment, infuriation, indignation, embarrassment and add a dash of 'WTF' and bake it in an oven at 350 degrees, then let it cool, you'll have something like what I was feeling. Bemusement at the young Woodian verbally slagging everyone in the higher echelons of Coredian society, disappointment that we couldn't figure out what was happening to Coredian society before an eight year old figured it out, infuriation on the part of a kid basically doing what adults should do, indignation that a kid would dare interfere in adult matters (a small part, mind you, as I remember wanting to jump into negotiations that my father would consider delicate), embarrassment at the Jedi Order being admonished by said kid, and the 'WTF' factor of getting a Right of Denial from someone who hasn't even passed Academy yet. Woodians. Oy vey...

I wondered what Taylor would think about this message when he gets it.

More time later

A forest later burned down. The loud cursing of a Fire Knight could be heard during the burninating. Ah, So that's what he thought about it. Let's see. Sadness was in there. Lots of sadness. Yeah, it hurts to have a son, even an adopted son, reject everything you knew and run away. Anger. At me, At the 'bloody aristocrats'. At himself for not taking the kid's concerns seriously. There was also most of the feelings I was feeling, expressed in quite colorful terms.

And of the rest of the Masakis? It rang from indifference to anger, and some calls for measures to ensure that something like this doesn't embarrass us again. Make no mistake, it was an embarrassment to the Masaki Clan that one like him should run away, and the more reform-minded members thought it would be easy grounds for improving our nation. Frankly, I had to agree, especially in light of the Battle of the Kokkai.

In hindsight, I figured it was a major compatibility issue. John was Woodian, and Woodians are almost genetic in their hatred of corruption and decadence. He rejected any of the luxury that a Royal Family possesses, when any other child would probably have taken to it like a duck to water. I suspected it was instinctive on his part, since the psychology experts I would talk to would tell me that they could see no reason why a child as young as John was when he arrived would not assimilate into the family to better fit in, although adoptees usually take a while to adjust.

Well, I suppose I should close down his account and send the money to charity, as per his wishes. And make sure Taylor doesn't burn down another forest, while I'm at it...

Lewis smiled nervously, and said, "I suppose I could do early morning tutoring with Force Sleep trances." He then laughed and said, "Though that means I have to refresh my memory on that point." He then tapped his chin and replied, "Only question here is how to get to where to where we're going to train? And for that matter--where are we going to train?"

Goldman nodded. She was a little concerned about it, though she knew little about Force Sleep....

"I am as clueless as you are," John replied. "Probably even more so. I just arrived in this city yesterday. Literally. That is part of why I suggested calling Elaine about this."

"I am as clueless as you are," John replied. "Probably even more so. I just arrived in this city yesterday. Literally. That is part of why I suggested calling Elaine about this."

Comrade Lewis nodded and said, "Well, actually...I did call your foster mom about this. She's on her way, right now."

At that moment, the door opened, and Elaine came in. Putting her purse on the ground next to her, she sat next to John and folded her hands on the desk, and asked, "So, what's this about?"

Goldman replied, "John's not in trouble--we just want to discuss how to handle his Force sensitivity. We had so far planned for him to do early morning exercises before school."

Elaine replied, "You sure?"

"Well.....I can try," Lewis said. "I need to relearn Force Sleep, though."

"Well, this is certainly odd....." Elaine shook her head and said, "Can't John do it after school? I wouldn't want to tax you."

"Well, your boy wanted to make room for youth hockey team."

Elaine then turned and asked John, "Are you sure? Is this true? You don't have to do that, you know...."

"Oh, I see," the kid nodded upon being informed that Elaine was on her way. "I learned about Force sleep from someone who could sleep the equiv-eh-lent of eight hours in only ten minutes."

Shortly thereafter, Elaine walked in the room, wondering why John wanted to do this before school. "Well, it is kind of a waste to have bought all that hockey equipment if I am just going to have something else conflict with hockey," the kid pragmatically pointed out. "Besides, it takes away a form of exercise that I enjoy. What days of the week does the league meet? You would know better than I--and if it can be scheduled either after the latest game or on an off day, that would work too. Yeah, what he said is true."

"Oh, I see," the kid nodded upon being informed that Elaine was on her way. "I learned about Force sleep from someone who could sleep the equiv-eh-lent of eight hours in only ten minutes."

Shortly thereafter, Elaine walked in the room, wondering why John wanted to do this before school. "Well, it is kind of a waste to have bought all that hockey equipment if I am just going to have something else conflict with hockey," the kid pragmatically pointed out. "Besides, it takes away a form of exercise that I enjoy. What days of the week does the league meet? You would know better than I--and if it can be scheduled either after the latest game or on an off day, that would work too. Yeah, what he said is true."

Elaine replied, "Well, I coach youth hockey on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I do those days because work can be hectic at times....what with putting in drawings to the man. I suppose Monday, Wednesday and Fridays after school would work."

Lewis nodded and said, "I second that."

"OK. Guess you do not need to learn Force Sleep after all." John smiled at Comrade Lewis.

"OK. Guess you do not need to learn Force Sleep after all." John smiled at Comrade Lewis.

The tall black man, his pincenez glasses reflecting the lights form the ceiling, smiled, as he got up and extended his hand out to John. "Well, John, I guess we have a deal then. I'll see you after school, then. You can't miss me."

Elaine smiled and said, "I'm glad to see we worked this out."

"Oh, by the way...."

Lewis then presented John with a box.

"Inside is a new lightsaber. I figured I'd deliver it to you now, instead of waiting for it later. It's not custom made like the ones you're used to, but it's just as rugged and useful."

Goldman winced, but Lewis said sternly to her, "Relax....the kid's not gonna rip up the school with it."

"Umm. Thank you." John took the box and opened it, but stifled the urge to closely inspect the lightsaber in Mrs. Goldman's presence, instead quickly and carefully fastening it to the belt that he currently wore. "This even allowed in school?" John asked. Goldman's looks had made him slightly uncomfortable about it. "And today is Wednesday, correct?" the kid added, fully expecting his first lesson to occur at any moment now. "Is that not one of the days we agreed on the tutoring?"

"Umm. Thank you." John took the box and opened it, but stifled the urge to closely inspect the lightsaber in Mrs. Goldman's presence, instead quickly and carefully fastening it to the belt that he currently wore. "This even allowed in school?" John asked. Goldman's looks had made him slightly uncomfortable about it. "And today is Wednesday, correct?" the kid added, fully expecting his first lesson to occur at any moment now. "Is that not one of the days we agreed on the tutoring?"

Lewis gulped and nodded, saying, "Sure. In fact, your first lesson begins today. We're going to learn conflict resolution--that is, how to solve problems peacefully without violence."

Goldman nodded, and then smiled, glad to see that her new Force powered charge wasn't going to abuse his powers. Lewis then got up, and then motioned for John to follow him to the playground.

Once there, he said, "Right. Let's begin. We're going to begin with conflict resolution. Now, what did they tell you back in the Academy about how to resolve conflicts peacefully?"

"To ignore them. Or tell them no, and then ignore them," John replied, knowing that his answer could only apply to conflicts involving him, and that more was expected of a Jedi or Acolyte. However, the Academy had not exactly gotten around to teaching him how to be a mediator or arbitrator yet, either, and he figured he might as well let Comrade Lewis know. "The Masakis taught me, blood is thicker than water, therefore I am always wrong, therefore I vanish. The subject of helping others resolve their conflicts has not come up yet. Listen, I guess."

"To ignore them. Or tell them no, and then ignore them," John replied, knowing that his answer could only apply to conflicts involving him, and that more was expected of a Jedi or Acolyte. However, the Academy had not exactly gotten around to teaching him how to be a mediator or arbitrator yet, either, and he figured he might as well let Comrade Lewis know. "The Masakis taught me, blood is thicker than water, therefore I am always wrong, therefore I vanish. The subject of helping others resolve their conflicts has not come up yet. Listen, I guess."

Lewis shook his head, and replied, "Well, the former is correct--why stoop to the level of a heckler or an idiot? Just ignore them or assert yourself and walk off, besides, they're probably asking for attention. The latter...."

He then smiled nervously and said, "Well, we can fix that." He then coughed and said, "To help other persons, one must remember to listen--but also, to compromise. That is, to listen to both sides of an argument, and then hit upon a solution that benefits both sides of the issue in a genuine manner. Like, say someone wants to order Chinese food, or someone wants to order pizza. One would find something they both liked, and then order that. Or, how to share some money that is in an uneven amount. One would share the funds in as equal a manner as possible. It's not usually easy, and takes creativity. But it is rewarding, and is good for peaceful purposes."

"Mmmm." John acknowledged the lesson, wondering if maybe he should be trading concessions to various family trolls, like doing chores no one wanted to do, or possibly showing his face for family outings, in exchange for a slice of personal space. Of course, with the Masakis, the trolls had wanted to harass him, not simply ask questions, so that had made a difference. Perhaps this family unit would be a bit more amenable than the Masakis, perhaps not. John did not say much, but he did not really attempt to shield his thoughts from any mind-reading abilities his mentor might have been trained in, either.

"Mmmm." John acknowledged the lesson, wondering if maybe he should be trading concessions to various family trolls, like doing chores no one wanted to do, or possibly showing his face for family outings, in exchange for a slice of personal space. Of course, with the Masakis, the trolls had wanted to harass him, not simply ask questions, so that had made a difference. Perhaps this family unit would be a bit more amenable than the Masakis, perhaps not. John did not say much, but he did not really attempt to shield his thoughts from any mind-reading abilities his mentor might have been trained in, either.

"Well, it's not so much to be used for that," Lewis said with a frown. "And I must point out something about the 'trolls' that may put them in context. In New Dornalia, we're more open about things. Admittedly, it is more troublesome. But, generally, it is something to be tolerated with paitence and even understanding. Generally, I find that the phrase, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" works well. Which leads me to another part of my lesson. Adapt to circumstances, within reason and with paitence. Sometimes, life will not be as well as you wish it to be. But, it must be confronted."

He then finished with, "Well, that much will be returned to later. But, know that these bargaining skills and listening skills are to be mainly used against those who do you harm to achieve a better solution for all. Not to buy you time to hide. Understood?"

He then said, "Perhaps let's try some examples. I will produce two simulated entities, and you will have to stop them. Alright?"

"So I should have sold my soul to the almighty credit back in Coredia?" John replied, honestly trying to make sense of Lewis' logic. Lewis could sense he was not intending to be a smartass, but rather had sincere questions as to how far and wide that advice should be applied. "I should have looked the other way as bribes passed back and forth? That is not right. That is why I deserted Coredia. But you want me to sell out to the culture of whatever nation I happen to be in? You did say, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' But that leads to moral drift. If I passed through a nation where customs dictated to kill some minority group on sight, should I do that just because it is expected of me?"

Lewis raised a hand and motioned for John to stop. He knew his message had not come in, and he needed a better analogy to explain what he meant. So, he decided to use a classic.

"Hmm...let's use a classic analogy to illustrate what I mean. Say someone visited Evil Woody Thoughts. You would expect them to respect Woodian respect for the laws, speak the Woodian language, respect Woodian austerity, not bribe a Woodian, not to mouth off about Woodian politics, and such. You wouldn't want them to give up their own morals, their own standards of how to judge right and wrong conduct--but you would certainly want that individual to respect your morals and sense of right and wrong conduct and obey them as closely as he could. That's what I was getting at."

Lewis' analogy made a bit better sense, even if that last bit about "not mouthing off about Woodian politics" struck him as an unfair stereotype. Woodians did allow for freedom of speech--albeit for people, not for money. But, in the interests of not letting a legitimate question devolve into a nastier argument, he let it go.

"OK. I guess there is nothing unethical about spilling forth my entire life's secrets to the new family," John admitted. "Is that really a cultural expectation, especially for a kid who has been through civil war and the trauma of Coredian Corruption, that I speak of such things freely? Or is it just them being nosy? I do not want to shun them; it is just that I would rather find things to talk about other than my past. But my past is the only thing they ever ask about."

Lewis' analogy made a bit better sense, even if that last bit about "not mouthing off about Woodian politics" struck him as an unfair stereotype. Woodians did allow for freedom of speech--albeit for people, not for money. But, in the interests of not letting a legitimate question devolve into a nastier argument, he let it go.

"OK. I guess there is nothing unethical about spilling forth my entire life's secrets to the new family," John admitted. "Is that really a cultural expectation, especially for a kid who has been through civil war and the trauma of Coredian Corruption, that I speak of such things freely? Or is it just them being nosy? I do not want to shun them; it is just that I would rather find things to talk about other than my past. But my past is the only thing they ever ask about."

Lewis admitted sheepishly, "Well, I don't think they'll ask again. Dornalians generally leave people alone once its been established they don't wanna talk about their pasts. Culturally, it is a compulsion of ours. But, it is one with a limit."

He then slapped his hands together, and spawned two kids using the Force.

"These are a couple of simulated individuals. They're going to feud over some lunch money owed. Try and break it up."

He then snapped his fingers, and the kids began to argue.

"Where's that money you owe me, douchebag!?"

"I don't got it."

"You keep saying that! Now pay up!"

"Fuck you, moron. I'll pay when I pay."

"This always happens. Always. Well, it's gonna stop."

"Why I oughta...."

"Is something the matter?" John walked up to the two kids. "Something about lunch money? I thought it was supposed to be paid to the school anyway." John shrugged, trying to noninvasively ascertain if 1)the kid had the lunch money, and 2) why in the heck he would owe another kid said lunch money in the first place. He hoped that his calm demeanor would rub off, even if slightly, on the other kids.

"Is something the matter?" John walked up to the two kids. "Something about lunch money? I thought it was supposed to be paid to the school anyway." John shrugged, trying to noninvasively ascertain if 1)the kid had the lunch money, and 2) why in the heck he would owe another kid said lunch money in the first place. He hoped that his calm demeanor would rub off, even if slightly, on the other kids.

The kid who owed the money said, "Well, I wanted to buy something special. But he wouldn't let me borrow it!"

The other kid then replied, "Ah piss off! You know you're a damn liar. You just don't wanna get the usual hot dogs and pudding like everyone else, so you beg your momma for extra money. But you don't get it. And you latch onto me because I just happen to have a lot! Besides, you know you'll waste it on the machines anyway."

"That's a lie. I'm no mooch and I ain't no pig!" the other kid said.

Clearly, this was going to take more than just a simple rubbing off of a calm demeanor.

"Well, assuming you did have the money, would you pay back the loan?" John calmly asked the kid who owed the money. It was, he knew, one thing if the kid simply did not have the money. Impossible to squeeze blood from a turnip and all that. If that was the case, John thought, the kid who lent the money might need to learn about making sure a potential debtor could repay before lending money in the long term, and maybe consult his parents for repayment in the short term. However, if the kid was just taking out loans and pocketing the difference, that was another story. John had to think about how he would approach that scenario a bit more.

"Well, assuming you did have the money, would you pay back the loan?" John calmly asked the kid who owed the money. It was, he knew, one thing if the kid simply did not have the money. Impossible to squeeze blood from a turnip and all that. If that was the case, John thought, the kid who lent the money might need to learn about making sure a potential debtor could repay before lending money in the long term, and maybe consult his parents for repayment in the short term. However, if the kid was just taking out loans and pocketing the difference, that was another story. John had to think about how he would approach that scenario a bit more.

The Debtor Kid replied, "Yes! I would willingly pay him back! But not at the rates he imposes! Until he stops chargin' interest, I ain't paying one cent."

The Lender Kid replied to that, "Puh-leeze. If I don't charge interest, I don't get my money back. Besides, last time I loaned you money interest free, I never saw it come back!"

"I forgot it that day!"

"Yeah, right." The Lender sneered.

Ah, so this is really a dispute over usury, John thought to himself. That could be the problem. Then again, if the debtor had not paid when the loan was interest free, that also involved complications. Definitely a case where both parties were probably making it worse, and feeding the general trollery of the other.

Well, first, time to find out if the loan really was usurious. "What interest rate are you charging him?" John asked the creditor.

Ah, so this is really a dispute over usury, John thought to himself. That could be the problem. Then again, if the debtor had not paid when the loan was interest free, that also involved complications. Definitely a case where both parties were probably making it worse, and feeding the general trollery of the other.

Well, first, time to find out if the loan really was usurious. "What interest rate are you charging him?" John asked the creditor.

The Lender replied, "Ten Percent. That's all I charge him. And then, I add on a percent a week if he don't pay. I loaned him six times....he owes me sixteen percent interest!"

The Debtor then fingered the Lender and said, "See! He's a crook!"

John quickly ran some numbers in his head. Obviously, Creditor Kid did not know how to compound interest on top of interest, which was a good thing. Simple interest made the calculations a bit easier.

"So, you are effectively charging him a sixty-two percent annual percentage rate," John told the Creditor Kid, adding one percent for every week to the base ten percent. Again, it was probably a good thing for Debtor Kid that this guy did not know how to pay interest. "Even the credit cards that charge the highest interest, only charge half that much. And you do realize that had he paid you back after the first week, the flat finance fee, that innocent-sounding 'ten percent' would have been equivalent to 520 percent annual percentage rate?"

John quickly ran some numbers in his head. Obviously, Creditor Kid did not know how to compound interest on top of interest, which was a good thing. Simple interest made the calculations a bit easier.

"So, you are effectively charging him a sixty-two percent annual percentage rate," John told the Creditor Kid, adding one percent for every week to the base ten percent. Again, it was probably a good thing for Debtor Kid that this guy did not know how to pay interest. "Even the credit cards that charge the highest interest, only charge half that much. And you do realize that had he paid you back after the first week, the flat finance fee, that innocent-sounding 'ten percent' would have been equivalent to 520 percent annual percentage rate?"

The Lender then stopped, and then leveled his finger and went, "Nuh uh! It's sixteen percent!"

The Debtor then lashed back, "Face it, he's right! You charge too much, and you know it ya lousy crook!"

"I hate to tell you this," John told the Creditor Kid, "but the standard for figuring interest in finance is per year. Not per week. We could go to any bank right now, and you could ask the teller. However..."

John turned his attention to Debtor Kid. "He claimed that he originally loaned you money without interest, and you did not pay it back. Is that true?" If it was, John might be able to justify the 30% APR that he knew the highest-interest rate cards charged. If it was not, he would try to mediate for something lower, taking Creditor Kid to the bank if need be, to give him some ballpark idea of industry standard. He put his Force senses behind ascertaining the truthiness of Debtor Kid's answer...

"I hate to tell you this," John told the Creditor Kid, "but the standard for figuring interest in finance is per year. Not per week. We could go to any bank right now, and you could ask the teller. However..."

John turned his attention to Debtor Kid. "He claimed that he originally loaned you money without interest, and you did not pay it back. Is that true?" If it was, John might be able to justify the 30% APR that he knew the highest-interest rate cards charged. If it was not, he would try to mediate for something lower, taking Creditor Kid to the bank if need be, to give him some ballpark idea of industry standard. He put his Force senses behind ascertaining the truthiness of Debtor Kid's answer...

"Umm...yeah. I owed him once without interest, I didn't pay him back. It wasn't outta bad intent though. I couldn't get the money!" The Debtor replied frantically.

"Yeah, sure."

"Umm, OK, it does make sense for him to charge you some interest, then," John told the debtor, but with the emphasis on 'some' ringing loud and clear for the creditor. "Part of the reason that banks charge interest is to cover the risk the loan will never be repaid. A credit card would get bumped up to thirty percent annual interest for missing a payment," John added, glancing at the creditor kid as he said the word 'annual.'

"However, banks spread out the interest over the entire year. They do not say, 'pay us back within a week or we will charge you ten percent of the loan upfront.' A year is fifty-two weeks, of which the loan has been out for six. That is barely over a tenth of a year. Which means that if he put the same loan on a credit card, mind you a credit card with a high annual percentage rate, he would be charged about three and a half percent if he paid it off now, by the way you figured it. You think it is fair to him to be charging four times that, assuming he paid right now? That is usury."

John then looked at the debtor. "However, it is true that you originally did not repay the loan as agreed. Which means that he sees you as a risky person to lend to. During the time the loan is out, he also cannot use the money he loaned you. So it is fair for him to charge something for the privilege of using his money. Just not that much. Because you did not repay as agreed, I think it is fair for him to charge the higher end of the credit card rates. That is not criminal, it is business, and people who might not repay do get charged higher rates."

He turned to the creditor kid, as he figured in his head how much he should be tacking on every week. "I said it was fair to charge him interest that is the same as a high-interest credit card. If you want to add the interest every week, there are 52 weeks in a year. 1/52nd of about 30% is..." John mentally did the math and rounded the answer to something presentable... "about six tenths of one percent. So every week he does not pay, add six tenths of one percent."

Turning to the debtor kid, he added, "I had to round to make things simple. If you pay him now, it is fair to pay 3.5% interest. Like I said, it is fair for him to charge something for as long as the money is not in his pocket to use right now. Given your history, charge you quite a bit. But not quite that much. Due to the rounding, the annual percentage rate comes to 32.3 percent. SLIGHTLY higher than high-rate credit cards. That is, not criminal. Gives you some incentive to try to pay sooner, if that up-front ten percent is taken out."

He then asked both of them, "Is this fair?"

"Umm, OK, it does make sense for him to charge you some interest, then," John told the debtor, but with the emphasis on 'some' ringing loud and clear for the creditor. "Part of the reason that banks charge interest is to cover the risk the loan will never be repaid. A credit card would get bumped up to thirty percent annual interest for missing a payment," John added, glancing at the creditor kid as he said the word 'annual.'

"However, banks spread out the interest over the entire year. They do not say, 'pay us back within a week or we will charge you ten percent of the loan upfront.' A year is fifty-two weeks, of which the loan has been out for six. That is barely over a tenth of a year. Which means that if he put the same loan on a credit card, mind you a credit card with a high annual percentage rate, he would be charged about three and a half percent if he paid it off now, by the way you figured it. You think it is fair to him to be charging four times that, assuming he paid right now? That is usury."

John then looked at the debtor. "However, it is true that you originally did not repay the loan as agreed. Which means that he sees you as a risky person to lend to. During the time the loan is out, he also cannot use the money he loaned you. So it is fair for him to charge something for the privilege of using his money. Just not that much. Because you did not repay as agreed, I think it is fair for him to charge the higher end of the credit card rates. That is not criminal, it is business, and people who might not repay do get charged higher rates."

He turned to the creditor kid, as he figured in his head how much he should be tacking on every week. "I said it was fair to charge him interest that is the same as a high-interest credit card. If you want to add the interest every week, there are 52 weeks in a year. 1/52nd of about 30% is..." John mentally did the math and rounded the answer to something presentable... "about six tenths of one percent. So every week he does not pay, add six tenths of one percent."

Turning to the debtor kid, he added, "I had to round to make things simple. If you pay him now, it is fair to pay 3.5% interest. Like I said, it is fair for him to charge something for as long as the money is not in his pocket to use right now. Given your history, charge you quite a bit. But not quite that much. Due to the rounding, the annual percentage rate comes to 32.3 percent. SLIGHTLY higher than high-rate credit cards. That is, not criminal. Gives you some incentive to try to pay sooner, if that up-front ten percent is taken out."

He then asked both of them, "Is this fair?"

The two then looked at one another, and then declared with a shrug, "Suppose so." They then shook on it, and said, "We'll make those the new terms effective immediately."

Lewis, at that point, smiled. John had done well....

"See ya lat--"

The kids poofed away from in front of him, as he had completed his task. "Oh," he said, almost dejected, as if all of his effort at sorting it out had been for naught. "What happened to them? The loan ever get repaid?"

"See ya lat--"

The kids poofed away from in front of him, as he had completed his task. "Oh," he said, almost dejected, as if all of his effort at sorting it out had been for naught. "What happened to them? The loan ever get repaid?"

"Yup." Lewis nodded. "These boys managed to work it all out. Though the Lender had to doublecheck the math with his older brother." HE then smiled and said, "Good job, John. Ya kept your cool, and used commonsense to bring everything under control."

He then said, "Now...let's try something else." Spawning a large, heavyset kid with a mean look, Lewis said, "Let's try a bully. He'll go through three stages. Easy, Medium, and Persistent. You'll see what I mean."

Lewis then snapped his fingers, and then The Bully walked up to John and sized him up. "What're you looking at, pansy?"

"The neighborhood." John shrugged nonchalantly as he walked right past the bully. He was not easily goaded...

"The neighborhood." John shrugged nonchalantly as he walked right past the bully. He was not easily goaded...

But, the Bully, even being one created just for training, wasn't going to be so easily deterred. The Bully walked in front of John and then gave him a not-so-friendly shove, saying, "I'm talking to you." Leaning in with considerable irritation--close enough to provide a good sense that he had bad oral hygiene, even for a Force construct--he said, "And when I talk, you listen. Capice?"

John leaned into the shove, using the momentum to turn in a different direction and make a ninety-degree turn. He still was not particularly interested in fighting the bully, so the kid whistled down the street. He kept an eye on the bully in the back of his mind, however, and his Force senses informed him well whenever the bully sought to follow him. He had a feeling he would spend the next few minutes ducking and dodging the bully, however, rendering him little more than a choreographed ballerina. John thought that such was mildly amusing, but he was careful to retain a neutral expression.

John leaned into the shove, using the momentum to turn in a different direction and make a ninety-degree turn. He still was not particularly interested in fighting the bully, so the kid whistled down the street. He kept an eye on the bully in the back of his mind, however, and his Force senses informed him well whenever the bully sought to follow him. He had a feeling he would spend the next few minutes ducking and dodging the bully, however, rendering him little more than a choreographed ballerina. John thought that such was mildly amusing, but he was careful to retain a neutral expression.

The Bully sighed, and decided to walk away. If John was looking, he'd be wincing with embarassment, realizing his moves were more of a dance than a threat. That was something he didn't want to do. Thus, his tormentor left, walking away, muttering to himself and then disappearing.

Lewis nodded, and then said, "Here comes the second one. This one's gonna be harder to shake."

With that, another Bully came in, but this time, he grabbed John by the shoulders and said, "Hey shitface! I heard about what you did to my friend!"

As Bully Number Two grabbed, or rather attempted to grab, John by the shoulders, John pretended to crumple to the ground so that the bully would find his arms too short for the task. He wasted no time in rolling over, and getting back up about five meters away from the bully, either.

The kid attuned his senses to the second bully as he had the first, and prepared for a lengthier round of evasion, using his Force abilities to stay one step ahead of his would-be tormentor at all times. The first had given up because of embarrassment; perhaps the second would give up due to exhaustion. The ballerina dance began anew...

As Bully Number Two grabbed, or rather attempted to grab, John by the shoulders, John pretended to crumple to the ground so that the bully would find his arms too short for the task. He wasted no time in rolling over, and getting back up about five meters away from the bully, either.

The kid attuned his senses to the second bully as he had the first, and prepared for a lengthier round of evasion, using his Force abilities to stay one step ahead of his would-be tormentor at all times. The first had given up because of embarrassment; perhaps the second would give up due to exhaustion. The ballerina dance began anew...

This time, the Second Bully wasn't so thinskinned. He began running after John, and said, "Hey! Get back here!" Faster than his previous counterpart, he even went as far as to pick up a rock and throw it at John. If his arms weren't long, they would prove capable of chucking rocks.

John accelerated his own motion, sensing Bully Number Two throwing rocks at him in plenty of time for the boy to dodge them. Of course, the boy remained conscious of the feelings of any onlookers that might have gathered, for he wished to project the embarrassing illusion that Bully Number Two had really bad aim.

With that, Bully Number Two angrily began making a beeline for John, eventually executing a sweep kick as he tried to trip the boy up. To add some insult in, he threw a few more rocks to make sure.

Lewis observed events so far, and judged John's skills uncoventional, if successful. As for John's attempt to use illusions...well, there weren't many people there, so there was little chance of him tricking the bully using the court of public opinion. But, nothing stopped the boy from using other means.

John quickly backed away from the sweep kick, realizing that there were not too many other people around to shame the bully. Well, he figured, there was always the thought of going home to his parental unit in soiled clothes. To that end, as he zigzagged around the bully, conveniently dodging the thrown rocks, he decided to give Bully Number Two a quick blast of cold air, followed by a bladder squeeze. It would be a shame if his parents had to potty train him again...

John quickly backed away from the sweep kick, realizing that there were not too many other people around to shame the bully. Well, he figured, there was always the thought of going home to his parental unit in soiled clothes. To that end, as he zigzagged around the bully, conveniently dodging the thrown rocks, he decided to give Bully Number Two a quick blast of cold air, followed by a bladder squeeze. It would be a shame if his parents had to potty train him again...

At that, the Bully Number Two felt a sudden sensation, and tried to hold it in--but then he felt his pants explode with the sudden feeling one gets when they wet themselves. Pausing, he tried to cover it up, with an embarassed look on his face as he mumbled, "Shit, shit!" to himself. Lewis, in the meantime, looked at the scene with a raised eyebrow. That was certainly an original tactic.

While Bully Number Two soiled himself and frantically tried to cover it up, John quietly walked away, careful not to smile or snicker, leaving the bully to cry home. The distraction had been a bit crude, but effective, and certainly had not caused any injury other than sheer embarrassment, which the bully probably deserved.

With that, the second bully dissapeared. Now, Lewis said, jokingly noting his previous methods of victory, "Here's one more. He's going to be generally good in terms of controlling his insides, and he has a speed advantage. Get ready."

With that, a third bully dashed up to John, and faster than he could escape, shoved him and said, "I know what you did to my boys. Now you're gonna pay!" To make his point clear, the Bully moved to an oblique angle to the right, seemingly anticipating John's movements. Whoever this Force construct was, he seemed like a kid who knew what he was doing.

John did not particularly want to get into a fight, but he knew that this one would prove more difficult than the others before him. However, perhaps John could use the bully's speed against him, thanks to what he had learned, ironically enough, from the Masakis. A gust of cold air blew, as John made sure ice glazed over the sidewalk...

John did not particularly want to get into a fight, but he knew that this one would prove more difficult than the others before him. However, perhaps John could use the bully's speed against him, thanks to what he had learned, ironically enough, from the Masakis. A gust of cold air blew, as John made sure ice glazed over the sidewalk...

The Third Bully slipped and fell on the ice, and skidded, bumping into one of the jungle gyms. He then got up and then fumed, "Son of a bitch!" He then proceeded to run at high speed around the patches of ice--this was assuming he was a resident, so he'd know his way around ice--and then moved to clothesline John and confront him rather aggressively about his friends.

John ducked the clothesline, chilling the ground around him to form a new ice slick along the bully's course. John knew the bully thought he knew where the ice was, but that failed to account for John's ability to make the ice worse and appear in new places...

John ducked the clothesline, chilling the ground around him to form a new ice slick along the bully's course. John knew the bully thought he knew where the ice was, but that failed to account for John's ability to make the ice worse and appear in new places...

The bully then grabbed John's leg, intending to drag John down with him. If he was going to fall, then he wasn't going alone. To add insult to injury, the Bully picked up a rock and threw it.

Unfortunately for the bully, John quietly used the Force to stick his other foot to the cement like glue. He shook his head as the bully tried, and failed, to drag him down, catching the thrown rock easily.

As John stood over the bully, he spoke for the first time. "Hey, look. I can turn this entire place into a skating rink, and skate barefoot. I can guarantee you that you will not get any traction on your feet with which to beat me, so you may as well just leave me alone."

To emphasize John's point, frost formed on the bully's coat as the ice underneath him grew even thicker.

Unfortunately for the bully, John quietly used the Force to stick his other foot to the cement like glue. He shook his head as the bully tried, and failed, to drag him down, catching the thrown rock easily.

As John stood over the bully, he spoke for the first time. "Hey, look. I can turn this entire place into a skating rink, and skate barefoot. I can guarantee you that you will not get any traction on your feet with which to beat me, so you may as well just leave me alone."

To emphasize John's point, frost formed on the bully's coat as the ice underneath him grew even thicker.

The Bully tried to struggle out of the mire John created. Not that it would do much, but he was angry as all hell and would rather fight on than concede defeat. His mouth, chattering as it was from the chill, began to spew forth a stream of expletives, mostly consisting of four letter words and angry assaults upon John's sexual orientation. And to top it all off, he issued a middle finger.

John sighed as he thawed a thin layer of ice directly below the bully and refroze it several times over to make it even more slippery, slippery enough that a normal person had no chance to get up without performing several banana splits in the process, and backed away from the whimpering bully. Satisfied that he was going to be stuck there for a little while, John quietly walked away as if nothing had happened...

John sighed as he thawed a thin layer of ice directly below the bully and refroze it several times over to make it even more slippery, slippery enough that a normal person had no chance to get up without performing several banana splits in the process, and backed away from the whimpering bully. Satisfied that he was going to be stuck there for a little while, John quietly walked away as if nothing had happened...

The Bully fumed and fumed, until he just laid there and admitted defeat, sighing. At that, the Bully disappeared.

Lewis then stepped out into the open, and said, "Right. Interesting tactics....as you can see, verbal judo isn't the only way to solve a problem--that's what a lot of programs teach you, and that isn't right. Now, using your brain is the best way to solve a problem. For that, I am proud of you. Admittedly some of your methods were unusual, but at least they didn't deal permanent injury or draw blood--something we're looking to avoid."

"Yeah. But normal people cannot manipulate their would-be attackers' bladders or flash-freeze ice slicks. They are stuck with diplomacy or bloodshed--and not every asshat is amenable to diplomacy," John replied. Yes, the Force remained useful at times, but John also remained cognizant that not everyone was so endowed. "And had I had to face an entire mob of bullies all at once, I doubt I would have had time to be so creative in avoiding bloodshed. There is a point where the survival instinct comes in."

Lewis nodded, and replied, pacing about as he replied with a conciliatory tone, "Granted, yes, not all are so lucky and there are times when you must fight. But I was appointed to train you specifically on conflict resolution for youth Force users by the Temple and the Denver Schools, especially that which was non-violent or minimized conflict at all possible. I think we've made some progress on that, and have shown that conflict is a last resort."

"Oh? They were that specific with your orders?" John asked a bit casually, and a bit surprised. He was definitely used to the Jedi system of teachers having a bit more...flexibility in what they taught. That, and the Masakis had always said he could not fight his way out of a paper bag, right up until the Battle of the Kokkai. "Is there anything else?" the boy added.

"Oh? They were that specific with your orders?" John asked a bit casually, and a bit surprised. He was definitely used to the Jedi system of teachers having a bit more...flexibility in what they taught. That, and the Masakis had always said he could not fight his way out of a paper bag, right up until the Battle of the Kokkai. "Is there anything else?" the boy added.

Lewis raised an eyebrow at that, and said, "Not really. And I wouldn't consider those orders too specific. Besides that mandate, I get to make up a curriculum under my own discretion." He then bowed and said, "Well, that's it for today. I've got business to run, and I think we've drilled him the point. I'll see you Friday, m'kay?" He then waved and left toward his auto, an Allanean Gravbike, putting on his helmet as he called Ms. Gannon.

Ms. Gannon came quickly thereafter and after some words were exchanged, he left and Ms. Gannon walked up to John, saying, "Let's go. How was your day?"

John shrugged. "It went OK. I think I managed to make my teacher really nervous, though. For a while, I thought she would call on me for every single question, and I did not want that kind of attention."

John shrugged. "It went OK. I think I managed to make my teacher really nervous, though. For a while, I thought she would call on me for every single question, and I did not want that kind of attention."

Elaine then replied with a shrug as she led John to her car, "Well, I would think that's merely because you're quite learned. She isn't nervous, she's just probably glad to have someone who did her work. You ask me, it's good to be recognized for wisdom once in a while, I see too many kids who think being big is about having big guts. Sometimes, you need a big brain...."

She then said, "Nevermind about that. Alexis is cooking dinner, it's a recipe she learned from a roommate at that college of hers. Something called 'Spam Sushi,' I dunno. I mean, I like trying new things as much as anyone, but I think that Spam's pretty mundane, at best."

"Is that the manufactured meat that was invented for soldiers' rations during the Second Great War?" the kid asked, referring to the centuries-old history of World War II from Woodian textbooks, those he had seen during the brief time after the UCLA Incident in which the Masakis had sent him back to Evil Woody Thoughts. "I knew that spam was still around somewhere. I have had worse, I suppose."

"Is that the manufactured meat that was invented for soldiers' rations during the Second Great War?" the kid asked, referring to the centuries-old history of World War II from Woodian textbooks, those he had seen during the brief time after the UCLA Incident in which the Masakis had sent him back to Evil Woody Thoughts. "I knew that spam was still around somewhere. I have had worse, I suppose."

Elaine simply replied, "Well, I suppose so. My knowledge of military history isn't that great, that's my brother's department, he's the history buff. But, I do know that Spam ain't in the dustbin of history--it's in my pantry, and I got a few cans for cheap. I try not to eat too much of it....gets kinda salty, not my style. But it works in a pinch, especially during lean times."

Shrugging off the idea that canned mystery meat was used in the same kitchen as fresh vegetables and scratch-made food, she drove on the highways, sedate as ever, to their house, as she added, "Well, I've gotta get this thing home. I've groceries in the trunk, and some papers to take care of for the team attendance rosters. Neither can wait."

Parking the auto in the garage, she then opened the trunk and asked, "Could you help with the stuff? These rolls of paper towels, toilet paper and sanitary wipes aren't too heavy, but I do need help hauling them in."

"Sure." The eight-year-old kid shrugged as the bags, thanks to the miracle of telekinesis, seemed to get up and walk out of the car's trunk, and into his hands, three or four of the little stuffed plastic buggers drooping from each fist. He hoped the family would not be as nosy this evening as the night before...

"Sure." The eight-year-old kid shrugged as the bags, thanks to the miracle of telekinesis, seemed to get up and walk out of the car's trunk, and into his hands, three or four of the little stuffed plastic buggers drooping from each fist. He hoped the family would not be as nosy this evening as the night before...

Elaine ushered the groceries, mostly assorted toiletries and household cleaners, into the home as fast as possible. She came home to Alexis and Alex attempting to roll sushi rolls and frying Spam, the sizzling on the counter and the smell of frying pork shoulder-based mystery meat permeating the room. The two of them bantering about in a surprisingly civil manner. Alexis merely noticed John coming in, and simply said morosely, "Afternoon, kid." Alex was more receptive, saying, "Yo." The two then went back to work, trying to clean the business up as fast as possible.

Elaine wondered, "You're not burning that, are you?"

Alexis said, "No, mom."

"Good. Even if it is precooked and processed, you shouldn't abuse it now. Burnt is burnt."

"I do not know about spam, but some kinds of sausage are best when they are completely burnt," John replied, as he waved hello to the family and tried to figure out what to do other than wait. The groceries were in, and Alexis seemed to be in charge of the cooking this evening. Moreover, John lacked the age and wisdom to cluck over everything like a mother hen, so not really knowing what else to do, he helped himself to the milk in the refrigerator, and poured himself some.

"I do not know about spam, but some kinds of sausage are best when they are completely burnt," John replied, as he waved hello to the family and tried to figure out what to do other than wait. The groceries were in, and Alexis seemed to be in charge of the cooking this evening. Moreover, John lacked the age and wisdom to cluck over everything like a mother hen, so not really knowing what else to do, he helped himself to the milk in the refrigerator, and poured himself some.

Alexis declared, "You like your Spam like coal, be my guest. Me, I wanna taste something related to meat in this madness." She, however, was too busy cooking to say much more. Alex merely nodded, and continued to cook. He then poked at John and said, "Hey John. Can you get some green beans prepped? Thanks."

"Umm...sure." John looked around, and noted the kitchen seemed somewhat crowded. He found a pan to use, and poured a couple of cups of water into it, that the green beans might steam cook. He added a small dash of pepper to taste, once he found the frozen beans, of course.

He did not bother to use the stove, as the counterspace therein seemed to be taken up by the Spam Frying. Instead, he merely held the pot, lid closed, above the kitchen sink, which probably seemed a bit odd to everyone else. However, the pan heated quickly and uniformly, thanks to the kid's Force abilities, except for the handle, which remained surprisingly cool. The first hint that the green beans actually were cooking came when John opened the lid slightly to peer inside, and pent-up steam rushed out. He quickly re-covered the pot to allow the steam to cook the green beans more.

He did not bother to use the stove, as the counterspace therein seemed to be taken up by the Spam Frying. Instead, he merely held the pot, lid closed, above the kitchen sink, which probably seemed a bit odd to everyone else. However, the pan heated quickly and uniformly, thanks to the kid's Force abilities, except for the handle, which remained surprisingly cool. The first hint that the green beans actually were cooking came when John opened the lid slightly to peer inside, and pent-up steam rushed out. He quickly re-covered the pot to allow the steam to cook the green beans more.

The others had finished their business as John was cooking the green beans, leaving Alex to witness John holding the pot over the sink. He covertly observed the kid for some time, until he opened the lid and saw steam. Raising an eyebrow, Alex innocently asked, surprised, "Forcepowered steamcooking, eh?"

Alexis said nothing as she finished the Spam Sushi, not noticing the whole thing. Roger, in the meantime, came home with the newspaper, and everyone just said, "Yo."

The others had finished their business as John was cooking the green beans, leaving Alex to witness John holding the pot over the sink. He covertly observed the kid for some time, until he opened the lid and saw steam. Raising an eyebrow, Alex innocently asked, surprised, "Forcepowered steamcooking, eh?"

"Yeah. Did not look like there was sufficient room for me to use the stove. And besides, this way does not use any electricity or gas." John grinned.

Alexis said nothing as she finished the Spam Sushi, not noticing the whole thing. Roger, in the meantime, came home with the newspaper, and everyone just said, "Yo."

"Hi," John greeted Roger as eyed today's copy of the Denver Post. He figured that the newspaper was as good a way to learn about the city as any, and he decided that he might have to give it a read, most likely after dinner...

"Yeah. Did not look like there was sufficient room for me to use the stove. And besides, this way does not use any electricity or gas." John grinned.

Alex shrugged and said, "Whatever works." He then asked, "Say, why don't you use any contractions when you speak? I'm just wondering about that."


"Hi," John greeted Roger as eyed today's copy of the Denver Post. He figured that the newspaper was as good a way to learn about the city as any, and he decided that he might have to give it a read, most likely after dinner...

Roger then offered John the paper and said, "Well, you can read the A section, John--since you seem interested in the paper." With a smile, he passed his paper to John.

The A Section would reveal important news stories about local personalities, events around ND, Coredia, etc. Fairly basic things, the front page was a mix, the interior was mostly World and National News. Things about business in People's Congress, MacIntyre touring Nova Louisiana in support of a local Governor, etc.

Alex shrugged and said, "Whatever works." He then asked, "Say, why don't you use any contractions when you speak? I'm just wondering about that."

John thought about it for a moment, and moreover what to say about it. The Clans' left-behind records, before they had re-established contact with the rest of the galaxy, left behind a rather fanatical belief that contractions sullied the language, and thus were only spoken by uneducated freebirths. A vulgarity, even. However, John knew that other cultures probably did not even know that such a custom existed, as did most Woodians, so he had quietly observed the custom for himself while keeping quiet about it with others.

"Umm...we Woodians consider contractions improper, a sign of lack of education, and some of us even consider them a vulgarity," John replied. "But we usually keep quiet about it when dealing with non-Woodians. It would be kind of like a British person correcting you on spelling, I suppose."

Roger then offered John the paper and said, "Well, you can read the A section, John--since you seem interested in the paper." With a smile, he passed his paper to John.

The A Section would reveal important news stories about local personalities, events around ND, Coredia, etc. Fairly basic things, the front page was a mix, the interior was mostly World and National News. Things about business in People's Congress, MacIntyre touring Nova Louisiana in support of a local Governor, etc.

"Yeah. Probably a good idea. New city, new country even--I really do not want to feel clueless here. I am sure the day will come when my instructors actually expect me to figure out how the government here works. And the Holonews usually is not as thorough."

"Umm...we Woodians consider contractions improper, a sign of lack of education, and some of us even consider them a vulgarity," John replied. "But we usually keep quiet about it when dealing with non-Woodians. It would be kind of like a British person correcting you on spelling, I suppose."

Alex nodded and said, "Suppose so. They do seem kinda simple. But even the most educated use them here, so I suppose its a different culture." He then was poked by Alexis, who said, "Enough linguistics. Let's get this stuff served."

"Yeah. Probably a good idea. New city, new country even--I really do not want to feel clueless here. I am sure the day will come when my instructors actually expect me to figure out how the government here works. And the Holonews usually is not as thorough."

Roger nodded and said, "Well, you can read it later. It looks like dinnertime." On cue, Alexis set up the plates of amateurishly assembled Spam Sushi, with bottles of soy sauce, and wasabi off to the side, along with the green beans, which Alexis would motion John to put on the table. Elaine then went in and said to the assembled, "Let's get this table cleared off. We need space to eat." At that, people began to assemble the various forks and things.....

At that, John nodded, and brought out the freshly steamed green beans. Though he had stopped heating them a few moments ago, he had left the lid on for good reason. As he slid a potholder on the table and set the beans on top of it, he yanked off the lid and steam rose from the pan as from a brushfire.

He then took a smallish portion of the spam sushi, and a bit of the wasabi. Not too small, as if to insult Alexis, but he lacked interest in seconds, at least. However, the rest of the family would at least enjoy the thought of him taking nearly a double helping of green beans--there were plenty for all to be sure, but John could at least reduce the leftovers. He figured the rest of the family might be thankful later.

At that, John nodded, and brought out the freshly steamed green beans. Though he had stopped heating them a few moments ago, he had left the lid on for good reason. As he slid a potholder on the table and set the beans on top of it, he yanked off the lid and steam rose from the pan as from a brushfire.

He then took a smallish portion of the spam sushi, and a bit of the wasabi. Not too small, as if to insult Alexis, but he lacked interest in seconds, at least. However, the rest of the family would at least enjoy the thought of him taking nearly a double helping of green beans--there were plenty for all to be sure, but John could at least reduce the leftovers. He figured the rest of the family might be thankful later.

Elaine and the others took small initial samples of the Spam Sushi as well. Dipping them carefully in the soy sauce and wasabi, they tried the delicacy carefully, it being their first time. The green beans, likewise, were taken liberally.

However, the spam sushi got varied reactions. Alexis and Alex seemed to like it. Elaine shrugged and said, "It's not bad. Not awe-inspiring, but it's good." Roger, meanwhile, loved it and said, "Gimme another. I haven't eaten this well since my time in the Navy."

Teh New Kid, meanwhile, found the spam sushi decidedly 'meh.' It was not horrible--he ate it without the guilt of eating a 1700-credit plate courtesy of the Masakis' opulence--but he found that it was not the best meal he had ever had, either. He did like the simplicity, however. He ate the Spam Sushi before getting to his green beans, but he did not say anything about the food one way or the other. Even direct questioning could only yield a neutral response.

Teh New Kid, meanwhile, found the spam sushi decidedly 'meh.' It was not horrible--he ate it without the guilt of eating a 1700-credit plate courtesy of the Masakis' opulence--but he found that it was not the best meal he had ever had, either. He did like the simplicity, however. He ate the Spam Sushi before getting to his green beans, but he did not say anything about the food one way or the other. Even direct questioning could only yield a neutral response.

Nobody asked, frankly--because Roger was busy gobbling up the Spam Sushis, even faster than Alexis and Alex could. Elaine wondered, "How can you eat Spam?" Roger replied, "I served in the Navy. At times, we'd get lots of Spam and veggies--mainly because I was at a Naval Air Station in Hawaii, and the locals ate lots of Spam. To my credit, I adapted successfully to the taste. Loved it."

He then continued on, saying, "I tell ya--I'm proud to have been in the Navy. They said I coulda been a Political Officer, because I was so good at being a Warrant Officer--but by then, my term was up and I wanted to get to my regular job."

"Political officer?" John asked, not knowing what sense to make out of the term. "You mean, like a government minder? I learned in LA that the government was really dictatorial until a short time ago--did political officers watch to make sure people voted the right way or something?" He quickly took the last bite of his sushi, aghast because the concept of a 'political officer' was so foreign to him. To the best of John's knowledge, not even the ANBU was that bad...if a political officer was as bad as the kid thought it was.

"Political officer?" John asked, not knowing what sense to make out of the term. "You mean, like a government minder? I learned in LA that the government was really dictatorial until a short time ago--did political officers watch to make sure people voted the right way or something?" He quickly took the last bite of his sushi, aghast because the concept of a 'political officer' was so foreign to him. To the best of John's knowledge, not even the ANBU was that bad...if a political officer was as bad as the kid thought it was.

Roger laughed and said, "Used to be that way--at least in the Armed Services. Then, MacIntyre came along, and altered their role. Now, they're just super-special experts at a skill, mine happened to be repairing Marinesko II starfighters. But, they also happen to be individuals who can take over the ship in case the commander has gone insane or shows cowardice or does somehting else to severely endanger his own men and the ships around him. And, they're also supposed to work with the Security Officer and the Ship's Counselor to keep order and morale....but mostly, that's a secondary job, at best, I found--at least when I was in Pearl Harbor. Mostly, they're just experts and troubleshooters."

"Well, if they are experts and troubleshooters, why call them political officers?" John asked. "Seems to me that Dornies would be eager to forget being told how to vote at gunpoint. But that is just me, and I am just an eight-year-old foreigner," the kid shrugged.

Changing the subject a bit, he added, "So whatcha want to do tonight? I can save the paper for after you have all gone to bed, if it avoids a repeat of last night."

"Well, if they are experts and troubleshooters, why call them political officers?" John asked. "Seems to me that Dornies would be eager to forget being told how to vote at gunpoint. But that is just me, and I am just an eight-year-old foreigner," the kid shrugged.

Changing the subject a bit, he added, "So whatcha want to do tonight? I can save the paper for after you have all gone to bed, if it avoids a repeat of last night."

Roger replied, jokingly, "Well, that's what we call tradition--why we call Political Officers by that name. Besides, they're still responsible in terms of command and control."

Elaine then mulled over John's question, and said, "Well, when I get done with my papers and when your homework's done, we were gonna have a movie night. Something exciting."

Alexis rolled her eyes, and went, "Jesus. Not another movie."

"Don't take the Lord's name in vain at the table. And especially not in front of the boy, we don't cuss in front of kids, Alexis. I've established that." Glares over, Elaine said, "Besides, I don't have anything else planned, and John hates shopping unless its for necessities. He's not like you, Alexis."

Alexis shrugged and said, "I wasn't gonna suggest that, but whatever."

Elaine then said, "Besides, it's something exciting. Nothing too bloody, nothing too boring, and something thoughtful."

John visibly squirmed when the bit about taking the Lord's name in vain was brought up. He was not one to use profanity, to be sure, but he did not think that Alexis had used profanity. And Christianity had had a somewhat...turbulent history in Evil Woody Thoughts, to say the least. A history that had included a rabidly fundamentalist Christian cult purchasing weapons from shadowy terrorists, and detonating a nuke in the then-capital-city's harbor.

The cult had vowed to bring theocracy to Evil Woody Thoughts by any means necessary.

After which point, the Christofascist War began, with the military effectively controlling the government until proper elections could be held. The Navy had responded in kind by nuking the cult's strongholds, their underground "holy cities," and exterminated every member of the cult.

After that point, more moderate Christians had pretty much shut their mouths, ashamed to associate themselves with such crazies. Though Christianity persisted amongst Woodians as a minority religion, and techically had the right to worship as they pleased as long as said worship did not involve weapons, Christian Woodians tended to keep very quiet. Perhaps because secular Woodians widely regarded the Christofascist War as the culmination of evil acts done in the name of God, such as the Inquisition, the Crusades, assorted genocides, and whatnot. Due to such reputation, Woodian Christians remained so quiet about their beliefs, that John did not even know that such people existed.

"Umm...you are Christians?" John asked, somewhat nervously, fearing that he had gotten in with a bunch of fundie theocrats. "Er, Christians kind of have a reputation for doing very bad things..."

"Umm...you are Christians?" John asked, somewhat nervously, fearing that he had gotten in with a bunch of fundie theocrats. "Er, Christians kind of have a reputation for doing very bad things..."

The family was floored by that. For a moment, they all stopped, as the little kid effectively declared where he theologically stood. New Dornalians hadn't the experience of a Christofascist War, and the only thing remotely close was an ongoing brushfire war with the theocratic yet surprisingly pragmatic Mormon Union, which had ruled Denver in the heady years after the Atomic Apocalypse. Even then, that hadn't involved genocidal terror tactics, at least not against humans--although the Mormon Union had a vendetta against the gentegatas due to their belief that the gatas were monsters and they often murdered mutants--to the Mormons, the Dornalians were just "Goddamn Commies" who were misled by a dictatorial elite, and any atrocities that occurred were those that were par for the course in any violent, low-level war.

John would be able to tell the family was, at best, perturbed he had dragged religion into the dinner table. Elaine was somewhat miffed, being a moderate Christian herself--though a selfprofessed "nondenominational" who had some issues with the Mormon Church with which she was raised. Alexis, however, was absolutely horrified, and visibly expressed rage.

Elaine put her fork down, and said, in a frank, but firm manner, "John, let me tell you something. We are Christians. But we are not the monsters of the Crusades, the Inquisition, whatever atrocities occurred in your homeland. Those were misguided men who hid behind God and Jesus to justify their greed and brutality. We are none such people. If we were, we would have killed you already. As it is, we have shown you a place to sleep and have taken you into our home with little incident, aside from a few awkward moments."

Roger chimed in and said, "Besides. History has also shown many good things Christians have done. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Twentieth Century, was a social reformer and peace activist motivated by his Christian background. The Anglican Church once declared Trident atomic weapons 'anti-God.' And, plenty of Christian Churches have tackled important social issues, even now. And, there's a Catholic priest out in the United Colonies working for social justice, and opposed to war. And, I've even stood up for a friend who came out of the closet, once. People wouldn't stop making fun of him--I sued, they stopped."

Alex then said, "Besides. If we really were little goose-stepping biblethumpers with a shotgun in one hand and a bible in the other, we wouldn't have tried the Spam Sushi, and we wouldn't even have tried the sushi. We'd be intolerant as hell. And, we wouldn't be reading Oedipus Rex, The Tale of Genji, Carrie, and listening to rock and roll and blues music."

Alexis thus concluded the speech with, "And, I wouldn't be collecting my comic books. So lay off."

John was absolutely mortified. He had literally never heard of a "moderate" Christian before, much less good works done by Christians. Christianity simply was not on the radar of the Jedi Academy's curriculum for younglings as juvenile at he, and during his brief time in the Woodian educational system, he had learned a bit about the Christofascist wars, but the stuff about all of the various Christian Social Justice movements, the system left until middle school. As was typical for any student who had bounced around from school system to school system, he had learned some things twice, others not at all. Especially when it came to social studies.

"Umm...uh...umm...I am sorry," John stammered with a red face, just barely managing to avoid the use of a contraction in his embarrassed state. "I think now is a really good time for me to do my homework." To that end, his backpack flew into his hands courtesy of telekinesis, and before anyone in the family could object, he popped into thin air, teleporting into his room.

He did not waste any time in barricading himself in, either. Quickly, John slid his bed, headrest and all, such that it would block the door from swinging into his room. Unfortunately, it made a low-level grinding noise audible from the ground floor, as always happens when someone slides heavy furniture over carpet. Quickly, he looked around for anything in the room he could pile on to the bed, such as bookshelves and the like, to increase its weight and make the barricade more effective. When he was satisfied, he begun his homework, sitting at the foot of the bed and leaning up against it to add his own bodyweight to the crude barricade, absolutely mortified at having offended his new family, however unintentionally, so.

He did not waste any time in barricading himself in, either. Quickly, John slid his bed, headrest and all, such that it would block the door from swinging into his room. Unfortunately, it made a low-level grinding noise audible from the ground floor, as always happens when someone slides heavy furniture over carpet. Quickly, he looked around for anything in the room he could pile on to the bed, such as bookshelves and the like, to increase its weight and make the barricade more effective. When he was satisfied, he begun his homework, sitting at the foot of the bed and leaning up against it to add his own bodyweight to the crude barricade, absolutely mortified at having offended his new family, however unintentionally, so.

At that, Alexis muttered, "Helluva drama queen you picked up, mom." Disgusted at John's behavior, she expressed it taking John's food--until Elaine made her put it back.

"That's enough. He's just not used to our ways. He was born in Evil Woody Thoughts, they do things differently over there." Elaine sternly reminded her daughter about that, before Alexis muttered, "Yeah. They raise pussies over there, I would think."

Roger then stared at Alexis, and she immediately shut up, with a look that said, "Don't make me start taking away priveleges."

Elaine then excused herself, and said, "I'll go talk to the boy." She then walked over to John's room, and knocked, saying, "John? This is Ms. Gannon. When you've the time, I'd like to have a chat about our little cultural misunderstanding."

"Umm...I am doing homework right now," John replied, a bit uneasily, through the door. "I kind of, er, locked myself in. Can we talk in a little while?" John really did not want to have to haul the bed around to open the door; he at least wanted the rest of the family to calm the *beep* down before he showed himself to them.

"Umm...I am doing homework right now," John replied, a bit uneasily, through the door. "I kind of, er, locked myself in. Can we talk in a little while?" John really did not want to have to haul the bed around to open the door; he at least wanted the rest of the family to calm the *beep* down before he showed himself to them.

"As you wish." She then coughed and said, "Again, when you have the time, we'll talk." With that, Elaine walked away from the boy's room, and sat back in her chair, austerely saying, "He's not coming out--he's got homework to do."

Roger shrugged and said, "Give him time. We were all like that once. Ya can't force a kid to do anything."

Elaine merely observed, "I wasn't doing that, but whatever."

Roger replied, "Just saying. Even different cultures have universal rules about kids."

Alexis, meanwhile, shrugged out of frustration. She was sticking by her opinion, which consisted of how much John was a little pisspot who should buck up.

About forty minutes later, John sighed as he completed the last of his homework. His excuse for avoiding the rest of the family had run out. With that, his bed slid back to its proper position, announcing to the family via noise that it was doing so, and John quickly put everything that he had piled on top of it, away.

He still had no intention of going back downstairs, however. He sensed, especially, that Alexis still thought he was a pissy little ingrate. And he did not especially care to deal with that now; she could have some more time to cool down whilst the kid dealt with the adults in the family. He figured that still would not be pleasant, but the feelings he sensed coming from Elaine and Roger, he found a bit more...reasonable.

Thus, John sent Elaine a bit of a telepathic nudge, some vague feeling that she should come up to his room now. Not any kind of normal method of communication, to be sure, but nonetheless an effective method for John to privately convey a message, without the others overhearing.

Thus, John sent Elaine a bit of a telepathic nudge, some vague feeling that she should come up to his room now. Not any kind of normal method of communication, to be sure, but nonetheless an effective method for John to privately convey a message, without the others overhearing.

Elaine promptly walked up to John's room, and then knocked, saying, "John? Do you have a minute? We need to talk."

"Yes, come in," John sighed. He knew the moment of reckoning was imminent, but that did not mean he had to like it.

"Yes, come in," John sighed. He knew the moment of reckoning was imminent, but that did not mean he had to like it.

Elaine opened the door, wandering in and sitting down on the bed. FOlding her hands and putting them on her lap, she said simply, "I can tell you seemed perturbed that we seemed perturbed at your comment. Well, we were right....it's just, religion is a personal matter. Generally, we don't discuss it at the table, and we generally don't appreciate blanket comments being made about sensitive subjects like religion. I've always told my kids, biological and foster, that much--things like faith are too complex to be made simple."

She then coughed and said, "Having said that much, I recognize a lot of it comes it from simply coming into a different culture and nation than yours. After all, our histories are much different, and our culture is too. Perhaps I think it's time we took you to a trip to the library, rented you some books and videos about us. Besides, we need to get you a library card, and that's always a good thing."

"The funny thing is, were it not for you telling Alexis not to take the Lord's name in vain, I never would have known anything about your beliefs. I was shocked, and I kind of blurted it out. Christians, as far as I know, do not exist where I come from. Or they are an extreme minority, at the least. After Christians nuked our capital city eighty years ago, I do not think Woodians wanted to touch Bibles with ten-foot poles. So I am sorry if I upset you. If Christians do things that do not involve nuclear weapons, I have yet to learn of them."

"Now, about that library card, are they still open?"

"The funny thing is, were it not for you telling Alexis not to take the Lord's name in vain, I never would have known anything about your beliefs. I was shocked, and I kind of blurted it out. Christians, as far as I know, do not exist where I come from. Or they are an extreme minority, at the least. After Christians nuked our capital city eighty years ago, I do not think Woodians wanted to touch Bibles with ten-foot poles. So I am sorry if I upset you. If Christians do things that do not involve nuclear weapons, I have yet to learn of them."

"Now, about that library card, are they still open?"

Elaine smiled and said, "Apology is accepted--and I suppose I must apologize if we overreacted a little. As for the library....they should be still open. Let's go."

She then led John out, saying to the family, "I have some business to take care of. Be right back." With that, they drove to the nearest library, and Elaine walked him up to the front desk, asking to fill in the application for a library card. She then got a slip of paper, and then handed it to John.

And with that, John teleported to the car, so that Alexis would not see him on the way out. He was still a bit touchy about the whole thing.

When he arrived at the library, he filled out the application without even bothering to ask for such required information as address, contact information, and whatnot. Never mind that he had never really made any conscious effort to remember his ZIP code, which could not be found through such obvious means as street signs or house numbers. Half the information he submitted on his form, he should not have known.

Of course, it helped him greatly that as a Force user, he could derive that information from Elaine's thoughts, but that was a bit besides the point...

After about fifteen minutes, of zealous scrawling, he handed the form back to the librarian.

And with that, John teleported to the car, so that Alexis would not see him on the way out. He was still a bit touchy about the whole thing.

When he arrived at the library, he filled out the application without even bothering to ask for such required information as address, contact information, and whatnot. Never mind that he had never really made any conscious effort to remember his ZIP code, which could not be found through such obvious means as street signs or house numbers. Half the information he submitted on his form, he should not have known.

Of course, it helped him greatly that as a Force user, he could derive that information from Elaine's thoughts, but that was a bit besides the point...

After about fifteen minutes, of zealous scrawling, he handed the form back to the librarian.

The librarian, without a word, processed the form and presented John with a new library card, saying, "Here ya go, sonny. Don't lose it." With that, Elaine took him to the children's nonfiction section, and said, "Have a look around."

"Actually I thought you brought me here for religious history?" John replied. "That would be a different section, would it not?" The kid was not particularly interested in an oversimplified, propagandized version of events.

While John found a couple of books to read, seven hundred pages between them, one about Martin Luther King's exhortations to Christians to end racial discrimination, and the other about the Catholic Church and the Liberation Theology movement in Latin America, that was not to say that everything that the library had cast the Christian religion in a favorable light. While John was trying to find the good in the religion, his eyes glossed over The Genocide Crusade: How Biblical Literalism Justified Nuclear Holocaust, a book written forty years after the Christofascist Wars by one of Evil Woody Thoughts' most pre-eminent historians. If Elaine paid attention though, she might notice John's eyes stopping over that book...

"Actually I thought you brought me here for religious history?" John replied. "That would be a different section, would it not?" The kid was not particularly interested in an oversimplified, propagandized version of events.

While John found a couple of books to read, seven hundred pages between them, one about Martin Luther King's exhortations to Christians to end racial discrimination, and the other about the Catholic Church and the Liberation Theology movement in Latin America, that was not to say that everything that the library had cast the Christian religion in a favorable light. While John was trying to find the good in the religion, his eyes glossed over [i]The Genocide Crusade: How Biblical Literalism Justified Nuclear Holocaust[i], a book written forty years after the Christofascist Wars by one of Evil Woody Thoughts' most pre-eminent historians. If Elaine paid attention though, she might notice John's eyes stopping over that book...

Bouncing back and forth between the non-fiction parts of the library, the librarian found the kid and his new mother with a pile of books. Martin Luther King, the Liberation Theologists, Mother Teresa, Albert Schweizer, numerous people who saved Jews during the Holocaust, etc. could be found in the pile, both adult and children's books. Yes, the one John had hinted at was there, the Christofascist one. But most of the reading was generally positive.

The librarian stamped this, and said, "Damn. There's at least six books here...you're lucky they're not all one subject, son. There's a limit of three per person. Anywho, you're all set."

"And six books divided by two people equals three per person," John replied. "Perfect."

As the kid walked out of the library with Elaine, he pointed out, "You might wanna have Alexis read the Christofascist one. I will read the others, starting tonight. It might make me seem antisocial, though. But then again, I have a few thousand pages to read. You only got four hundred." John flashed Elaine a grin.

"And six books divided by two people equals three per person," John replied. "Perfect."

As the kid walked out of the library with Elaine, he pointed out, "You might wanna have Alexis read the Christofascist one. I will read the others, starting tonight. It might make me seem antisocial, though. But then again, I have a few thousand pages to read. You only got four hundred." John flashed Elaine a grin.

Elaine wagged her finger as she said, paternally, "I read for fun, my boy. We might be working class, but that doesn't mean we're illiterate. Of course, not everyone reads like they should...."

She sat in the car, put the books in the back, and said, "And yes, I will have Alexis read the book. It will be a start, for sure..."

"When did I accuse you of being illiterate?" John demanded, with a confused look on his face, his brow furled as if to say 'WTF?' "You guys are just as jumpy as I am, and you are not the ones who smuggled themselves into a foreign land, either. Let us go home, because I have some reading to do, but be advised that after that, I am no longer in any mood to talk."

"When did I accuse you of being illiterate?" John demanded, with a confused look on his face, his brow furled as if to say 'WTF?' "You guys are just as jumpy as I am, and you are not the ones who smuggled themselves into a foreign land, either. Let us go home, because I have some reading to do, but be advised that after that, I am no longer in any mood to talk."

Elaine shrugged and replied, "Wasn't saying you were being accusative, John. I was just being maternal." Driving home, she sighed and went, "Anywho, there's no reason to be difficult, now. No need to explode over any more misunderstandings."

She then drove home, and parked the auto, arriving with the massive volumes of books.

John did not say anything more, and if it wasn't obvious to Elaine that the damage had been done before she pulled in the driveway, then it immediately became so when the car came to a complete stop. First, Elaine had accused John of accusing her and/or her family of being illiterate, then of exploding. The latter, John might be persuaded into admitting later, but the day had thus far been such a disaster that he did not even go through the nicety of unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping out of the car. Instead, he found a way to bypass dealing with the family entirely, for the night.

Those books which were intended for him to read, he stacked on his lap...then he poofed out of existence without saying a word. As did most of the books...except for the one about the Christofascist War. Oh, yes, John had most definitely left that one for the family to read.

If the Acolytes in Los Angeles had given Elaine any kind of briefings on what set John apart from "normal" kids his age, she would immediately recognize the use of teleportation. Of course, his bedroom door closed somewhat less than a second later.

And the kid prepared to do his reading until five or so in the morning, catch fifteen minutes or so of shut-eye in a sleep trance before getting ready for school, and try to have a fresh start in the morning. He did not wish to deal with anyone tonight.

Not understanding what the matter was about, Elaine shrugged as she went back into the living room, to get some reading done. As she did so, Roger merely went up and asked her, "Where'd John go?"

Elaine shrugged and went, "He went to his room. I dunno what happened. All I know is that I made a crack about illiteracy to try and reinforce pride in him, and he took it the wrong way. Then, it got out of control." Shaking her head, she said, "I must be getting soft."

Roger shrugged and said, "Nah. You just went out of practice. I mean, you haven't had any really bad cases in a while to take care of. John's a handful, but so was Louie. Remember him?"

Elaine said, remembering one of her first foster kids, "Yeah. HE was a terror. John's difficulties are different though. He seems to overreact, and rather dour."

Roger poked her and said, "Well, sis--remember his file? He was marked down as being serious, and having no sense of humor whatsoever, by his own admission, according to the Psych Exam from back in Los Angeles. Maybe humor is the wrong angle."

"Well, I can't help it if I learned to look at life's problems with a sense of strong optimism, Roger. I mean, how the hell else would I have raised so many kids? How the hell else did I get by when my dad wouldn't talk to me over my dispute with the Father?"

Roger shrugged and said, "Well...that may be so. But I think it's time you changed tactics."

"Just saying. I've never had things go this bad so fast," Elaine mused.

OOC: Any and all liberties taken with this post with the consent of ND

---------------------

John stayed up all night, burning electricity until dawn, reading and reading. He managed to get through two of those books on Christianity, before he shut off the lights and crawled in bed for all of a half an hour or so.

Ah, yes, Force-induced sleep acceleration trances were wonderful things.

The kid awoke again just a couple of minutes before seven, partly because of an internal timer he had set somewhere in his mind because of the need to go to school, and partly because the smell of bacon seemed to lure him downstairs. As he arrived on the ground floor, he sensed Elaine's rather...concerned...presence. And the kid did not even know what he had done, other than wrongly be accused of calling the family illiterate.

"Is something the matter?" he asked Elaine, trying not to piss her off even more than he had the night before.

"Is something the matter?" he asked Elainetrying not to piss her off even more than he had the night before.

Elaine shrugged, and then replied, cheerfully, "Well, not really....I'd like to apologize for our little misunderstanding last night. I shouldn't have made so much out of something that was not meant to be serious. I guess my own attempt at making some humor came out rather badly...then again, I was never known for being a comedienne, after all."

She then served John the plate of bacon, though she had also produced instead of eggs, some toast. For John's sake, there was a choice of jams and butter on the table.

She then smiled and said, "Let's start on a better footing, shall we?"

John did not touch the eggs; he had thought he had told Elaine earlier that eggs really were not the food for him, but he just shrugged it off for now. He would rather not vomit in front of her, so he just accepted the bacon, and the toast, and helped himself to a slice of cheese from the refrigerator. A couple of seconds, and melted cheese over bacon sandwich...mmm....

But Elaine's question still nagged over John's head. "Umm...that was a joke? Apparently I did not get it."

John did not touch the eggs; he had thought he had told Elaine earlier that eggs really were not the food for him, but he just shrugged it off for now. He would rather not vomit in front of her, so he just accepted the bacon, and the toast, and helped himself to a slice of cheese from the refrigerator. A couple of seconds, and melted cheese over bacon sandwich...mmm....

But Elaine's question still nagged over John's head. "Umm...that was a joke? Apparently I did not get it."

"Not so much a joke, as it was an attempt to lighten the mood by saying something nice. Well, either way, it failed miserably, and I apologize for the fracas that resulted."

She then looked at the eggs, and then began eating her own breakfast, saying, "Well, anyway. School's going to start, so after this, get cleaned up and I'll drive you to school. It's on the way to the plant anyway, so it won't be too far."

"Hmmkay." John quickly finished the toasted bacon n' cheese, unusually quickly as he did not really know just how quickly he had to get ready. Too quickly, in fact, as he accelerated all of his motions and teleported, rather than walking or running conventionally, to his bedroom to gather some of the clean clothes purchased the day before, then to the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth. John popped downstairs, having cleaned himself up and gathered his backpack and supplies, before Elaine could even finish eating.

"Hmmkay." John quickly finished the toasted bacon n' cheese, unusually quickly as he did not really know just how quickly he had to get ready. Too quickly, in fact, as he accelerated all of his motions and teleported, rather than walking or running conventionally, to his bedroom to gather some of the clean clothes purchased the day before, then to the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth. John popped downstairs, having cleaned himself up and gathered his backpack and supplies, before Elaine could even finish eating.

Elaine then lept back, surprised. "Wow. I didn't know you'd be that quick." Finishing her food, she then quickly washed the plate off, and then ran to clean up and get ready for work. When ready, she immediately led John to the car, and then drove to school, dropping him off as she went to work.

John shrugged. "No one ever told me when I had to be out the door, so meh. Figured I had better hurry." And with that, the boy fidgeted in the car, looking forward to after school activities substantially more than being "Teh New Kid" in class and always getting called on...

John shrugged. "No one ever told me when I had to be out the door, so meh. Figured I had better hurry." And with that, the boy fidgeted in the car, looking forward to after school activities substantially more than being "Teh New Kid" in class and always getting called on...

The day went by swimmingly, moving as Miss Goldman kept calling on him, Lyndon hung out and shared tips, and other things got done. Now, it was after school, and as Elaine went to pick John up, she came with forms for the youth hockey program.

"Oh, hi there." John waived to Elaine as she came to pick him up from school. "I smell paperwork. As if I have not seen enough the last couple of weeks..." nevertheless, the kid took the forms and filled them out to the best of his abilities. Unfortunately, he also had this nasty habit of reading what he was signing...

"What is this? We assume no liability for anything that occurs on the premises...so what, the referee can just pull out a gun and shoot me and the league is not responsible for the actions of its own employees? Who would sign THAT!?"

"Oh, hi there." John waived to Elaine as she came to pick him up from school. "I smell paperwork. As if I have not seen enough the last couple of weeks..." nevertheless, the kid took the forms and filled them out to the best of his abilities. Unfortunately, he also had this nasty habit of reading what he was signing...

"What is this? We assume no liability for anything that occurs on the premises...so what, the referee can just pull out a gun and shoot me and the league is not responsible for the actions of its own employees? Who would sign THAT!?"

Elaine said, sheepishly grinning, "Well...that's to prevent unnecessary lawsuits over theft and accidents that just happened on our premises, but are not our fault explicitly. Besides, I screen all of my people to ensure they aren't pedophiles and abusive persons....and believe me, I triple check to make sure." Coughing, she said, "Right. I'm free to answer any more questions to make sure we're clear."

"Uh huh," John replied, somewhat skeptically, if only because he had not seen this kind of legalese before. "And by that logic, I cannot be held liable for the consequences of self-defense, or defense of property. Oh, yes, the wonders of excluding things..."

"Uh huh," John replied, somewhat skeptically, if only because he had not seen this kind of legalese before. "And by that logic, I cannot be held liable for the consequences of self-defense, or defense of property. Oh, yes, the wonders of excluding things..."

Elaine then, as she began to drive off, replied, "On the contrary. It just excludes the organizers of the league from any responsibilities of accidents and such. If you caused someone to be injured in excessive self defense, they can sue you. Besides, we have our own mechanisms besides the law for dealing with trouble caused by our own members to our own. Mainly, they involve suspension and outright expulsion. So you don't get away with everything. And, I am still bound by the law. If I were to do something illegal, or one of my staff, I would be still bound to answer to authority."

"Uh huh. Sure, if the organizers of the league want to torch the building to collect the insurance money, I cannot sue them for hospitalization costs because of this. They could just say it was an 'accident,' you know. Mmmhmmm...the law only applies to little people, all right. Then again, maybe I spent too long a time in Coredia...I dunno."

"Uh huh. Sure, if the organizers of the league want to torch the building to collect the insurance money, I cannot sue them for hospitalization costs because of this. They could just say it was an 'accident,' you know. Mmmhmmm...the law only applies to little people, all right. Then again, maybe I spent too long a time in Coredia...I dunno."

Elaine shrugged and said, "Probably we have. We're a bit less tricky here, what with the Political Enforcement Bureau watching out political leaders."

With that, they stopped in front of the ice rink, which was where a bunch of other kids were filing in, with gobs of equipment and eager moms. Parking the auto, Elaine got out and said, "Come on now. Your stuff is in the backseat."

John decided it was probably best to let Elaine have the last word, so he silently grabbed his gear from the backseat, and headed off into the building, though he had to stop for a moment. "Where do I go to change into this stuff?" he asked, after Elaine had caught up to him. A new facility, he had to learn where the locker rooms were and whatnot...

John decided it was probably best to let Elaine have the last word, so he silently grabbed his gear from the backseat, and headed off into the building, though he had to stop for a moment. "Where do I go to change into this stuff?" he asked, after Elaine had caught up to him. A new facility, he had to learn where the locker rooms were and whatnot...

Elaine led him in, and pointed to the sign saying "Locker Room." "The locker room is down that way. Go to the left, that's where the boys' lockers are. Get changed, while I set things up." Sure enough, Elaine then asked, "Did you make sure to finish filling this out? I need to have the forms signed by you to ensure you are on record as being here."

"I did fill them out. But I guess I did forget to sign with that liability waiver bull," John replied, and he quickly signed the form before scampering to the locker room to change into his gear.

As they were prepping, Elaine filed the forms along with other kids' forms, and then went out, prepping the ice rink. Jacques, the matenance man, merely shrugged and said, "Is ready," before leaving. After ensuring everything was ready, she then went to the lockers and began knocking, saying, "Let's go!"