Ep I Ch 11

1I was shocked by the proposition. “Absolutely not!” I shouted, writhing in fear. “Why would you make a person go through that?”

2“It is not my call, sir,” Æzr said, quite frankly. “It is up to the universe whether you call to it or not. Or, of course, the permission of two or more partners.”

3"If I become a Jedi and remain celibate, then do I avoid the risk of becoming pregnant?” I asked, abrupt in my timing.

4“Absolutely not,” Æzr answered. “Do you remember my uncle Loki? Well, he had no loves at the time. 5If you were to become a Jedi, remain celibate, and become a god, you probably increase your risk! Then again, the universe works so mysteriously.

6“Besides, you don’t have to be celibate to be a Jedi. That seems to be a myth, as the soul’s desire for pleasure is so important. Become a Jedi all you wish, but never deprive yourself of certain pleasures. 7I have seen too well the nasty side effects celibacy can have on a person.”

8Despite my wrong step, Æzr still seemed to care about the health of a human being. It got me wondering: if I decided to become a pregnant man, what would it be like? 9The pit of my stomach turned queasy, and the spiderweb-like feeling on my head returned. I missed an opportunity to ask a woman out, but what I gained, instead, was knowledge I found useless. 10“What was the point of telling me all of that so I could contemplate pregnancy in men?!”

11And Æzr, smirking like she was up to something, sat next to me and picked at the grass. 12“Again, that’s up to choice. It begins in your soul, after all. Then, the universe decides when you’re ready. 13Just like Colton Hargreeves, and Loki Mastersson, and countless people after that. Do not judge them based on this.”

14I shuddered to think again, what would life be like, a Jedi all alone with child? It made me think back to Qui-Gon Jinn, a recognisable Jedi himself, going by the robes. Was he alone as well?

15Æzr stretched her arms and smiled. “My full name is Æzrmænthm. In my language, it means ‘Liberation’. But please — don’t call me that either. Æzr will do fine.”

16I sounded out the name, then went reverted to her shorter name. “If your name means ‘Liberation’, then why are you coercing men into pregnancy?”

17“It’s not my choice,” Æzr said, “After all, I have no hand in that lottery. My job is in another field. 18If it is to happen to you, then do not blame me, nor anybody else.”

19My chances with her dwindled further. No way would I end up with a girl like her if it meant I had to take the job of child rearing.