Prompt for this chapter: Something in the Custos universe, featuring Imperial Obi-wan getting used to his new (and old) roles? Please?
(This one might become a longer fic. If that happens, I'll still leave this snippet here, though.
Obi-Wan was most comfortable on the bridge of a Star Destroyer. It was a sad legacy of three years of war, followed by nearly a year of pain and then five years acting as a hidden guardian.
He wasn't comfortable with large groups of civilians anymore. Here, on a the bridge of his flagship, the Relentless, he was comfortable and relaxed, even as they were about to go into battle
Around him, his crew was professional, reporting to him or the captain as the situation warranted. He didn't smile, because this wasn't the time or place, but he found himself in a better mood. He nodded as they exited hyperspace. "Captain," he said. "Launch the fighters."
The bridge exploded into battle activity as the small rebel taskforce realized they were there. General Kenobi turned and began to issue orders. This was something he could do well.
Obi-Wan hid a scowl with his drink as he watched a good portion of the Imperial Court as they oh-so-politely jockeyed for position. It was one of the many balls that the Empress had to put on every year. He was pretty sure this one was related to the first Emperor's death, but he wasn't too interested in the reasons it was being held.
He stood up and ran and unneeded hand down his formal clothes. He should probably give the Empress his formal regards, for all that he had spent several hours in her company earlier today, playing with her children and talking about the state of the rebellion.
He approached the small dais where the Empress and the Emperor-Consort were greeting guests and bypassed the line of beings waiting. There were perks to being considered family, after all.
The Emperor-Consort took one look at him and bit his lip in amusement. Trust Anakin to recognize when Obi-Wan would really rather be elsewhere.
"Your Majesty," Obi-Wan said as he bowed.
"General Kenobi," Empress Padmé Amidala said with a smile. "Join us," she ordered.
With a mental sigh, Obi-Wan stepped onto the dais and flanked her, on the opposite side from Anakin.
"I would like to thank you, General, for the victory over Rodia last week," Padmé said, using her "official" voice. "It is a shame that the Rebels won't see reason."
"You are quite welcome, Your Majesty," Obi-Wan said. He hated this. Pretending to say everything and nothing at all, putting on a show for everyone who knew that Obi-Wan and Padmé had already had a discussion on the battle.
Politics.
Such a horrible thing.
And he was considered part of the Imperial family now, so he had to play the part.
Anakin glanced at him and carefully kept all amusement from his face as the next being approached. Padmé, of course, was doing her perfect impression of an emotionless ruler, and didn't appear to have noticed.
Obi-Wan hated this sort of thing.