Zoe's Office - July 9

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe didn't have much in the way of work left to do, having dealt with most of the new student issues during the week between sessions. So, she was currently on the computer, looking at debates about the "proper" way to go into childbirth, and wondering if it would ever be possible to strangle stupid people through the internet.

The door was open for anyone who wanted to stop by.

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[sith_happened]

Anakin rapped lightly on the door jamb, eyes serious. "Hi," he said quietly, then gave an unconscious smile towards her stomach. "How's the little one?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe smiled in return. "Completely ready to come out. And yet, she's not. I think she might stay in there forever."

[sith_happened]

"Padmé worried about that too," he said softly, stepping further into the office. "Make John give you foot massages. And move heavy things from one side of the room to the other. It seemed to help."

Or Padmé just liked watching him lift heavy things...

He chewed on his lower lip, then finally asked, "Did you hear the radio last night? About Hamlet?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I did, yes," she said, nodding solemnly. "I was hoping it was a mistake, and the squirrels got their information wrong." The look on Anakin's face wasn't helping her hold onto that hope though.

[sith_happened]

"They weren't," Anakin said sadly. "We'll have to keep an eye on Rikku--she's taking this very hard."

He blew out a breath. "And let other people know. I told her I'd tell the alumni, but I figured you'd want to know before most of the students here found out that it was true."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I definitely appreciate finding out ahead of time. I imagine Rikku won't be the only one taking this news hard."

[sith_happened]

Anakin's eyes were haunted for a brief second before he brought him back under his normal steely control.

"The cheerleaders, the fencing team...I was trying to think who else needs to know but I was out of touch for a while."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Maybe Rikku would know who else to speak to? If asking her wouldn't upset her too much," Zoe suggested.

[sith_happened]

"She had a list from his birthday party," Anakin said, keeping his voice carefully neutral--which took some serious work on his part. "She was going to work her way through that. I didn't want to put too much of the burden onto her, though. She's had to do this entirely too often back home."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I could help," Zoe offered. "Breaking bad news has become an unfortunate part of my job description."

[sith_happened]

Anakin glanced again at her stomach. "I don't want to upset the baby," he said softly, "and with the powers the younglings around here have, they might..."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"You won't upset the baby. She's far too occupied with kicking at my insides to get upset over anything," Zoe assured him.

[sith_happened]

"I'll tell Rikku to send the ones who take it hard to you or me, then," Anakin decided. "I know that Fandom students like to handle things themselves..." he gave her a rueful smile, "...and I was one of the worst offenders...but this needs an adult touch to show that it's not the end of the world. Even if it can feel like it."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe nodded. "That sounds like a good plan to me. It's very good of you to help with this," she said. "It goes a bit above and beyond the normal requirements of a teacher."

[sith_happened]

Anakin brushed aside the compliment. "Hamlet was a good friend," he said, "and I saw what happened when people found out about me last year. If I can help alleviate some of that pain...it's a small step in the right direction."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Every small step counts," she assured him. "I think between the two of us, we can make sure everyone ends up all right."

[sith_happened]

"I'll let them decide if there needs to be some kind of remembrance," Anakin said softly. "But I think Hamlet would've hated a huge fuss."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"And a huge fuss might only serve to make everyone more upset. But the students can decide for themselves if they really want to do that."

[sith_happened]

"He better haunt someone else," Anakin muttered mostly to himself, "because it certainly won't be my idea..."

He gave Zoe a smile that didn't come close to his eyes, then nodded his head. "Thank you," he said, every inch the formal Jedi.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"And thank you again, for letting me know," she replied. Getting the formal Jedi treatment was better than most alternatives any day.

[sith_happened]

Anakin gave her another nodded, then swept out the door.

He was beginning to understand Obi-Wan's formality. It was a nice little shield.

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

Alec showed up to Zoe's office with a package under one arm. Smiling, he knocked at the door frame. "Anyone home and not armed with a watergun?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I left my watergun at home today, so you're safe," Zoe said, smirking. "Come on in."

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

Walking into the office, Alec offered a grin and slowed as he approached the desk, holding the package like he wasn't sure what to do with it yet. "So. How's the baby thing coming?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Slower than I'd like," she replied. "But well so far, and I think that's all I can really ask for. What's that?" she asked cautiously, pointing to the package.

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

Alec blinked and leaned forward to put it on the desk, looking relieved to not be holding it any longer. "Yours," he said finally, smiling. "Just something (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATThoover.html) to say thanks."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"If this explodes or showers me with glitter, I will have my revenge," Zoe threatened, but she softened completely when she opened the package and pulled out the blanket. "Oh, this is beautiful."

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

"Do I look insane? If I were going to shower you with glitter, I wouldn't be standing in front of you when it happened," Alec said dryly. "It's for giving me a name."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe had to fight against the idiotic hormones that were making her want to sniffle over the gift. "You didn't have to do that, Alec. But thank you," she said. "This looks homemade, where did you get it?"

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

He lifted one shoulder in a vague shrug. "It's not important," he said. "But you do like it?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I do. I like it very much. And I'm sure Grace will too."

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

"Good." Alec grinned. "I'll just see myself out then. And, uh, good luck with the pregnancy thing."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe laughed, and hugged the blanket a little closer to herself. "Thank you. I'll take all the luck I can get."