Office hours [all day]

[sith_happened]

Anakin was in his office wrapping a birthday gift for Rory in between confirming food delivery orders for the evening.

He just needed to stop by the bakery on the way home and everything would be covered.

He was in a good mood--a definite change from most Parents Weekends.

The door was wide open.

Comments

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"Valentine Wiggin." She nodded her head. "Ender's sister."

[sith_happened]

"It's very nice to meet you, Miss Wiggin," he said, inclining his head.

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"Valentine should suffice," she said, with a nod of her head back and a small smile. "I hear that my brother is actually an assistant for your ethics class. You wouldn't mind me asking how that arrangement came about, would you?"

[sith_happened]

"I always look for a couple of students who seem more interested than average in the subject material," Anakin said. "Your brother stood out to me."

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

Valentine nodded. "And how's he doing?"

[sith_happened]

"He had some very interesting insights in our last class," Anakin said. "We were discussing forgiveness and temperance."

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"Would it be," Valentine implored, very carefully, "against the ethics of your teaching style to inform me as to what they were?"

She, herself, was debating with a bit of her own ethics on mentioning why it concerned her as much as it did, but she hoped that perhaps that the teacher would see the concern in her face.

[sith_happened]

"He was very adamant that he didn't want to kill anyone," Anakin said. "More so than the average person who has, say, never been put into that position."

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

Valentine was quiet for a long, long moment, and then she nodded. And that, ultimately, was why he had been chosen, wasn't it? Over Peter. Over herself.

"Thank you, Mister Skywalker," she said. "I think that covers most of my questions very succinctly."

[sith_happened]

"Is there anything I should know?" Anakin asked quietly. "I'd prefer to avoid emotional landmines for my students, contrary to what they might think about me."

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"If there is," Valentine said, lifting her chin slightly, "it's not my place to inform you; it's Ender's. I will say this much, though. He's a strong kid, Mister Skywalker, but he is just that: a kid. As long as there's something around to remind him of that, even if he meets it with disdain, he should be fine."

[sith_happened]

Anakin gave her a small, sad smile. "There is a great shortage of children at this school, Valentine."

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"Is it just that they aren't children anymore," Valentine asked, "or is it just that they've forgotten that they still can be?"

[sith_happened]

"It depends on the student," Anakin said. "But it is very hard to regain that innocence once it's gone."

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"Sir," Valentine offered with a wry smile, "last night, at approximately 20:00 hours, Ender Wiggin was jumping on his bed. After that, I kind of have to believe anything is possible."

[sith_happened]

Anakin couldn't smother his laughter in time. "Really?"

[a-demosthenes.livejournal.com]

"Really." Valentine nodded. Because Ender said he did, and Valentine knew he'd never lie to her. Or anyone, if he could help it. "Just don't tell him I mentioned it."

[sith_happened]

"I won't," Anakin promised. "I'm excellent at keeping secrets."