fandomhigh | Around the World in 16 Challenges, Tuesday, January 7, 2016 [2nd period]

Anakin and Obi-Wan had made sure to tell the class to meet them outside the Portalocity office. Anakin, hands stuffed into his robes to protect them from the cold (kriffing cold, ugh), still managed to look a little smug. "Hello and welcome to Around the World in 16 Challenges," he said. "Today we're going to the Netherlands, a small nation on the continent of Europe."

"Since he appears to have skipped right ahead: this is Master Anakin Skywalker. I am Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Welcome." Obi-Wan looked rather more at ease with the cold, though he generally kept his hands tucked in his sleeves regardless. (He also had a far better poker face than Anakin's.) "Your first series of challenges will take place here," he continued, "and you will handle them by yourself. Later challenges may contain a teamwork component; for that, we ask that you find a teammate today with whom you ~~share a RL availability~~ will cooperate for the rest of the semester."

Anakin nodded, smile widening. "The odd one out gets paired with one of us."

Oh, you poor things. "This course will test you both physically and mentally and help you to confront fears about heights, hitting things, and eating things that are still moving." Anakin, that is not helpful.

And as such, Obi-Wan cleared his throat very loudly midway through that statement. "It will hopefully also lead you to appreciate this particular planet and its many cultures," he said, "So please, do try to enjoy yourselves as well."

"Today's challenges will test your attention to detail, your hand-eye coordination, and your ability to navigate yourself to different places," Anakin said, nodding. "We will be waiting for you at the end of the course. May the Force be with you."

And then the bike locks and the dike jumping! Because getting people muddy was hilarious.

... and the canal tour with the light sculptures, because not everything had to be mud, Anakin. Obi-Wan gave the class a formal nod of his head. "Begin."

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"If the level of challenge rises, I will probably learn something." She didn't meant to sound rude... but she did.

"Learning is not always simply about acquiring new skills," Obi-Wan said. "I would say you've learned a fair bit about Amsterdam cuisine today."

He glanced towards Anakin. "Though the easiest way to see the level of challenge rise is to repeat what you just said to me to Master Skywalker."

"I suppose I did." She liked the way he thought. As long as he wasn't overly optimistic all the time, of course.

Laura leaned to see Anakin in the distance, then shook her head. "I would rather not." Speak with him. At all. Ever.

Obi-Wan frowned, following her gaze. "You are troubled by Master Skywalker?" he asked.

"I was told he does not approve of students with... complicated pasts." And Laura would've been less negative about it if she hadn't spent months under Emma's disapproving telepathic graze. As it was, Laura preferred to be safe than sorry.

"I haven't known him to disapprove of such things, though he can be rash and temperamental," Obi-Wan said, frowning. (Never mind that it would be very hypocritical on Anakin's part.) "Who told you this?"

"He said his name was Hannibal Lecter." While she didn't have more reason to believe one over the other, Laura wasn't precisely trustful to a fault. "I do not want to cause trouble for anyone", she added a moment later.

"You will not," Obi-Wan promised her. "But I may have to speak to Anakin about what brought this on. Whatever your past, he will not give you any grief - nor are you expected to tell him anything. This is not our Ethics class."

Laura sighed uncomfortably. "Would I be expected to speak if this was the Ethics class?" Or did he mean they would judge her? For her it was hard to tell.

"Ethics involves us guiding our students through discovering their own personal ethics and how far they are willing to go," Obi-Wan said lightly. "None of our students are obligated to speak, of course, but it makes that class rather useless if they do not."

"Maybe I will take that class next, then." With no small amount of dread, of course, but Laura sincerely wanted to improve.

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan said.

He smiled somewhat. "But until that time, you've got nothing to worry about. And if for whatever reason Master Skywalker does say something that worries you, you can come to me."

"I hope you are right," Laura said, trying to relax a bit. "I did enjoy the class." She didn't want to end up losing chances just because of who she was. "I hope it does not come to that, but thanks for offering."

Around the World in 16 Challenges, Tuesday, January 7, 2016 [2nd period]

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