Office Hours [10.2]

[atreideslioness]

Ghanima had straightened up her office as a concession to any of the parents that might stop in. The piles of papers had vanished neatly into file drawers, all herbs, tinctures, and poisons had been locked in to her cabinet, and she had already started tea -- minus the Spice, of course -- in the tea service

Comments

[slayer_twin]

After letting Jaina show him around, she'd escaped to make a phone call- and he really hadn't needed the detailed description of how the phone worked- Jacen decided if there was one teacher he had to see that wasn't related to him, this would be the one.

He'd start with a knock at the door. "Professor Atreides?"

[atreideslioness]

"That would be me," she said, looking up from her book. "May I help you?"

[slayer_twin]

"I'm Jaina Solo's brother," he introduced himself. "She's mentioned you a few times, so I thought I would drop in while I have some time." Before Jaina tried to make sure he didn't talk to anyone. Like she was the only one who did things she wasn't supposed to.

[atreideslioness]

"That would make you Jacen, then," she replied with a smile. "Come in, Mr. Solo. Would you like some tea?"

Ghanima had meant what she said to Jaina. This Jacen was not Ben's Jacen, and there was no reason to hold him accountable for the sins of another.

[slayer_twin]

"Please," he said, stepping inside. "You know my name already?"

[atreideslioness]

"I've had your sister in almost every class I've taught for the last two years, and she's a member of our weekly sparring group," Ghanima explained, moving to pour him a cup and refill her own. "Your name has come up once or twice in that time."

[slayer_twin]

Huh. He'd always assumed he hadn't been mentioned, knowing his sister. "What are you teaching now?" he wondered.

[atreideslioness]

"I'm using Earth-based religions to show the construction of theology and sociological manipulation of religions," she quipped, offering him the cup. "I've also taught tactics, history, mythology, and terrain classes."

[slayer_twin]

He took the cup, looking interested. "By sociological manipulation, do you mean the way that the religions are portrayed in public, or how the religion is taught to those who belong to it?"

Too much time with Vergere, maybe.

[atreideslioness]

"Both," she replied briskly. "As well as the various ways it can be exploited in favor of an outside party, just like any mythic construct."

[slayer_twin]

"Interesting class," Jacen said seriously. He couldn't believe Jaina was taking it and not him. "The Jedi have had plenty of experience with that. I'm sure it's been ranted about."

[atreideslioness]

"It's been mentioned a few times," Ghani deadpanned, sipping her tea. "Your sister isn't the only Jedi in my class, and I must confess, I find your order both fascinating and disturbing."

[slayer_twin]

"Disturbing?" he repeated. He wasn't at all defensive, but he was curious. "How so?"

[atreideslioness]

"Any group which seems to think that repressing emotion creates functional and healthy people has serious fundamental problems," Ghanima replied. "It's akin to lighting the fuse on your own destruction."

[slayer_twin]

"The principle has merit," Jacen said, tilting his head. "It's not that it creates functional or healthy people, but it's supposed to create those who can be impartial even when the situation makes that nearly impossible. But there have been more than a few Jedi who have fallen because of those emotions."

Like Jaina. And he wasn't going to talk about himself there.

"Though I don't know many Jedi in my time who are very good at repressing emotions," he said thoughtfully. "It's in the Code, but it doesn't happen often."