Office hours [all day]

[sith_happened]

No, it didn't really matter to Anakin that classes were over, he came to the island every Tuesday.

Besides, it was easier to wrap presents for Rory where she couldn't see what he'd gotten. He was sneaky like that.

The door was open, though he wasn't really anticipating many visitors today.

Comments

[solo_sword]

He probably should have expected Jaina after Thursday's talk. It was doubtful he expected her to arrive with a bottle in hand and an offering of, "Coke?"

[sith_happened]

Anakin blinked. "I'm betting there's a story here."

[solo_sword]

"There's a polar bear giving them out. I already got one on my way to training this morning," she said, setting this one on his desk.

[sith_happened]

"Fandom," Anakin sighed. "Do I want to worry about how they got a hold of carbonated beverages?"

[solo_sword]

"No. Though if radio reports a break in at Turtle and Canary, I think we have a suspect," Jaina said, and got a little more serious. "So I made a decision."

[sith_happened]

Anakin turned and gave her his full attention. "And?"

[solo_sword]

"I'm giving it one last semester," she told him. "I put in for a class, am working things out with Uncle Luke, and I'll be gone after graduation." And she'd probably be questioning this decision the whole time.

[sith_happened]

He watched her eyes. "You're still conflicted?"

[solo_sword]

"I'm going to be conflicted either way. I know I'll spend the next few months trying to make up for not being home, but I know if I go, I stand a good chance of feeling the way I did when I left last time," she explained. "This is as close to a compromise as I can get, so I'm going to make the most of it."

[sith_happened]

"I'll never turn down spending more time in your company," Anakin said with a tiny smile.

[solo_sword]

"Good," she grinned. "And thanks for letting me talk it through. It definitely helped me see which way I was leaning."

[sith_happened]

"I like to think I can be helpful occasionally," Anakin replied, grinning back. "Want to set up a weekly spar so you don't get rusty while you're here?"

Or he didn't. One of those.

[solo_sword]

"Actually, yes," she said. "With the condition that there might be some weeks I have to skip or reschedule if I'm home." She was completely serious about trying to compromise. She could do it if she worked at it.

[sith_happened]

"Of course," Anakin said, nodding. "Invasions and rains of sour cream can also be a good reason."

[solo_sword]

"There's no good way for that stuff to rain," Jaina said, convinced of this fact.

[sith_happened]

"Well, it's better than the chocolate pudding when I was a student," Anakin said. "Barely."

[solo_sword]

There was really no way not to make a face thinking about that. "Maybe I'm starting to rethink my decision..."

[sith_happened]

"Which reminds me," Anakin said, reaching under his desk and pulling out a large box. "I'm glad you're staying. This would have been a strange gift for home."

[solo_sword]

"If you're pawning off your Fandom gift of a Snuggie on me, mine's still in the box," Jaina said, but she was definitely curious when she reached for it to open it.

And then she was laughing. "Thank you. Now I'm prepared if it rains pudding."

[sith_happened]

"You got a Snuggie? Rory will be sad we missed out," he said. "Vladdie has a Snuggie. Never let a hormonal pregnant woman sit unsupervised in front of telemarketing."

[solo_sword]

"Yeah, woke up to one at the foot of my bed the other day. She can have mine, trust me," she offered. "I have real robes."

[sith_happened]

"I do too, with the sleeves where they're supposed to be," Anakin said a little sourly. "I could just wear it backwards and achieve the same effect."

[solo_sword]

"I got one for John one year- don't ask," she said. "The static was impressive, too."

[sith_happened]

"Explains the hair?" he asked.

[solo_sword]

"No. The hair preceded the invention of the Snuggie. There's no explanation for the hair." Said fondly, of course. She thought the hair had character.

[sith_happened]

"It defies nature and gravity," Anakin said, shaking his head.

[solo_sword]

"Yes. It even sproings right back up when it's wet. Not the Snuggie's fault," she assured him.

[sith_happened]

"This conversation has gotten odd," Anakin observed.

[solo_sword]

"This visit started with a polar bear-given soft drink. Are you surprised it's odd now?" she grinned.

[sith_happened]

He grinned back. "Well, put that way, no," he said.