Summary: This was one of the few places not yet torn by war, and Anakin intended to keep it that way. Episode tag: Crisis on Naboo. Introspection
[AN] Prompt: A Place Like No Other and cleaned up afterwards. Why do I keep coming back to this arc.
Home is not a place, but a feeling.
Naboo was the most beautiful planet in the Galaxy.
Leaning against the window in the west tower of Theed Royal Palace like this; watching the sun drop towards the grassy plains in the distance; listening to the roaring sounds of the surrounding waterfalls, Anakin could almost pretend that the war was nothing more than a bad nightmare from a different galaxy. Despite the circumstances it was a relief to be back here, what with the last couple of weeks being what it was, — filled with all too familiar grief, followed by the sting of betrayal and bitterness while the Force continued to charge up into an angry storm cloud with no outlet.
Although he had never actually lived here, the planet offered him a sense of comfort and warmth that allowed him to relax in a way no other place could. Not like the Jedi Temple back in Coruscant, where that strange coldness that had nothing to do with air temperature still clung around the entire building like black ink. Not like Tatooine either, whose too hot twin suns and unforgiving desert had never allowed for a single good memory, while the few better ones that he'd held so close to heart for so long had been shredded to pieces since- since the war, the shards still stabbing his conscience from time to time.
He supposed it was because of Padme, — this was her homeworld after all, — and the brief memories they shared in Varykino, after First Geonosis, had helped him cope with, well, everything.
Absently, Anakin touched his right arm, tracing the line where flesh ended and metal started. Padme wasn't with him at the moment; she was needed in organizing the Festival of Light with Queen Neeyutnee and her staff. Ahsoka was with them, playing her role as the Jedi bodyguard and, hopefully, getting a chance to enjoy some small part of the festival or at least just its atmosphere. She had been excited at the prospect of going to one of the biggest festivals in Naboo, even if only as part of security detail. The change of pace and scenery should be good for her after everything that had happened recently.
Anakin's own work was more on the backstage, coordinating the security measures between the Republic's clone troopers and Naboo corps, and he hadn't had the chance, — nor the heart — to join them. Even up here, separated from the rest of the celebrating people, he could still feel the joy and happiness shared by the rest of the populace and the contrast between that and what he felt within was simply too much. He had opted to stay up here instead and wait out the remaining time alone. Up here there was no war, no duty, and no need for lies or deception. Only the soothing sound of waterfall and the soft red light of the setting sun to keep this sickening darkness in his heart at bay.
Sometimes in the field, when he was losing faith, Naboo came to his mind. When all the death and destruction was just too much to bear; when everything felt like it was falling apart and the future seemed so bleak; when it felt like he couldn't trust or count on anyone; when he wanted so much to just give up, leave the world to its own fate, to hell with obscure prophecies and unhelpful creeds and all the whisperings behind his back...
That was when he thought of Naboo.
Naboo, its beautiful lakes and lush forests tarnished by war. Naboo, falling into Separatist occupation, and into Dooku's hands. Children just like Padme's nieces living in fear, frightened for their everyday lives and the lives of their friends and families. The Gungan kingdom in pieces, its people's special quirks and talents being reduced to mere entertainment at someone else's whims...
Naboo, filled with the stench of despair and death, just like Tatooine...
That thought alone would spark the fire back to life with renewed ferocity.
Sometimes, it was the only thing that kept him going.
Sometimes, it was the only thing that he needed.
The sun was halfway sunk into the horizon outside and the sky had darkened in twilight blue as the first of the evening stars heralded the arrival of night.
It was time.
Turning away from the window, he lifted his wrist comm to his mouth. "Captain Typho, we're ready to begin the Festival of Light."
"Copy that, General Skywalker. We will be heading out shortly."
Anakin took one last look outside before heading down to the plaza.
It was all he ever needed.
