A returning Echo

Chapter Thirty Four

"Come on, Tayah," you say as you prepare breakfast, "you need to get up and eat so you can get to training." No response comes, but you sense her annoyance through the force. You sigh as you set your plates down on the table, deciding to just sit and eat without her. "If you don't come out and eat, you'll go to training without breakfast." Still no response, but she does come out of the room with an annoyed expression on her face.

When she sits down, she doesn't eat. Instead, she rests her cheek in the palm of her hand and mindlessly moves the food around her plate. "Do I have to go?" she finally says, keeping her eyes down on her plate

"Elbow, Tayah," you comment, and she grumbles as she moves her elbow from the table. "Now, I know you don't like training, but you still have to go."

"But why?" she whines, dropping her fork as she slouches in her seat.

"Tayah," you say sternly, looking down at her. She avoids meeting your gaze but sits up, grabbing her fork and beginning to eat. "I don't have permission to remove you from your training, only Master Yoda or Master Windu can do so."

"Can you tell them I don't want to train?"

"No. If you don't want to train anymore, you can tell them yourself."

"But I'm scared!"

"I can go with you," you offer, and she finally meets your eyes. A flash of hope swirls in hers, and she begins to smile. "But," you add, "you have to do the talking." Her smile falls, but then it returns as she nods.

"When can we go?"

"After your training today," you say, standing and taking your empty plate to the sink. She whines from behind you, but you toss her a look over your shoulder and she stops. "Finish up eating. I'll take you to your dormitory afterwards so you can get ready."

"Why can't you just take me now?" she asks, finishing her food and bringing her plate to you.

"Because," you say while rinsing it off, "I have some things that I need to do before."

"Like what?"

"Like Jedi stuff," you respond. "Now, are you ready to go?"

"I guess," she says, slouching over where she stands.

"Alright, then let's go," you say, motioning for her to leave. When your door opens, she mopes out into the hall. You can tell that she really isn't looking forward to training, but there isn't anything you can do about it right now. You especially don't want to make anyone angry for keeping her back, so this is your only choice.

As you walk, you don't pay much attention to who you pass. Your mind is too occupied, so when Tayah shouts at Codo, you don't notice until she runs up to him.

"Hello, little one," Codo says, a smile coming to his face as he picks her up. "Where are you off to?"

"Y/n is making me go to training," she replies, a sour expression coming to her face.

"Do you not like training?"

"No! Everyone is mean and doesn't listen. The other younglings bully me as well."

"Ah, I see," Codo says, looking at you. "And you're aware of this, I assume?"

"Yes, but I don't have time to take her to the Council about it right now. Her training for today starts soon and I have other things to do before I leave for Dohbar."

"I can take her to the Masters if you'd like," Codo offers, and you nod.

"If you wouldn't mind, that would be great. I'd hate to make her go if she really doesn't want to."