tachiismsâ:
He answers quickly â maybe too quickly, but considering what heâs just gone through, itâs understandable. Sheâs proud of him for wanting to do something to keep his mind occupied, and not letting himself dwell on fear. Reflection is important for all Jedi, of course, but too much reflection turns into excessive self-criticism, and Siriâs pretty sure that such would definitely be the case for Ferus.Â
Sometimes itâs best to keep moving, and give both the head and the hands something to do, so that the Force can guide balance back into the emotional stress. Itâs something that Siri has found helpful on a number of occasions, and advice that sheâs given Ferus a time or two as well, when sheâs seen that little furrow in his brow that she always suspects means heâs about to think himself into a headache.
Plus, heâd had plenty of time to sit and âreflectâ stuck in that damp kriffing duracreet room.
âGood, Iâm sure Garen will be grateful,â Siri replies, meaning it sincerely and hoping that Ferus trusts the sincerity of it. Even to her Padawan, Siri isnât one to just throw around meaningless reassurances filled with nothing more than enough air to fill an Alderaanian puffcake. Garen takes his flight courses seriously, when heâs asked to teach or create them, and she knows Ferus well enough to know that heâll give Garen sincere and helpful feedback on the course.Â
She pauses a second, then, not exactly asking what sheâs wanting to ask, but also not really wanting to pressure him when heâs already said heâs alright, she adds, âYou want another sweetcake or anything?â Even while she means: are you sure youâre okay?
Ferus thinks the question over, wanting to respect it. Because he knows what sheâs really asking and he wants to give her a real answer, both because she deserves the truth and because he knows it will benefit him too.
So he takes stock. He still feels shaken, but not afrad. His mind is quieting considerably with the promise of something to do and being away from the school. The stars streaking by outside the ship windows are a comfort just for showing how fast theyâre going, how much distance is being put between them and Andara.Â
There are still feelings of betrayal, hurt and disappointment in Anakin, but those arenât exactly new. Heâs felt them time and again, just never quite this pronounced. He still knows how to deal with them. The strange fear heâs feeling regarding Anakin is new, but he chooses to put it aside.Â
And heâs with his Master now, who came when he reached out to her. Still tasting the sweetcake.
Yeah. Heâs okay.
âIâll be fineâ, he says, both as an answer to the spoken question and the unspoken one. He gives her a small smile and itâs genuine.



















