He was a liar.
Obi-Wan stood outside of Satine's office, wondering what sort of madness had driven him to this point. This certainly couldn't be sanity, but he was far too sober for it to be anything less than mental.
He wanted to know.
He wasn't sure why he hadn't suspected sooner. As Quinlan-and Siri and Aayla and Kit-had all been quick to point out, it made sense. The only thing that didn't make sense was why she hadn't told him.
And, despite what he'd told Quinlan the night before, he intended to find out.
Knowing that standing out in the hall any longer would start drawing unnecessary attention, he tapped softly on the door, waiting only for her greeting before palming it open and stepping in.
"Obi-Wan." She sounded surprised, but her eyes smiled up at him. The look fell, however, quickly replaced with worry. "Is everything alright? I spoke with Siri just an hour ago, and she didn't mention anything of concern."
"No, everything is… why were you talking to Siri?" Though he hadn't really spoken with anyone about the mission since he and Quinlan had returned to Coruscant, Obi-Wan hadn't even considered that the council would put Siri back on PR, nor that her Grace would be on a first name basis with the woman.
Satine's cheeks pinkened, but she didn't break eye contact. "Tachi and I have agreed to set aside our differences. The council has commissioned her to escort us to Mandalore at Korkie's request, so I thought it best to let bygones be bygones. You know I'm not petty by nature."
"I thought he didn't like her."
"She got him drunk. Why wouldn't he like her?"
"And I thought you weren't petty," he teased lightly.
She shot him a glare, sighing. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you came here for something and I haven't even let you get a word in edgewise. Please, have a seat, make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?" She rose, gliding over to a small cabinet and pouring herself a steaming mug of tea. "I have brandy, tea, caff, cookies…"
He sank into the proferred chair. "No, thank you. I didn't intend to stay long. I had heard that you were leaving for Mandalore tonight, and I wanted to catch you before you left. There's something I want to ask you about."
She froze for a moment, then set down her mug a bit too forcefully. "I see." He could see the wariness in her eyes even as she tried to read him. "Should I be afraid?"
He raised his eyebrows. "Should you? You're a politician, love. Surely you know not to show too much of your hand too soon."
The corner of her mouth turned up in a thin smile. "What if I want to lose?"
She was baiting him. Did she know what he was planning on asking her? Or was she referencing something else entirely?
Before he could think about it too long, the door to the office slid open and Korkie came thundering in. He drew up short when he saw Obi-Wan, clearly surprised. "Master Kenobi, Duchess, I'm sorry." His blue eyes-were they the same shade as his mother's?-registered his confusion. "Your Grace, excuse me. I had no idea you were with someone."
He wouldn't have if he was relying on the Force, because Obi-Wan was cloaking his presence from any Jedi who might be prowling the Senate halls-or canoodling with Amidala only a floor up. But that was only if Korkie was Force sensitive, which was only if he was Obi-Wan's son, barring some miracle of the Force or another convenient Jedi rogue.
Satine smiled at the boy, her eyes softening. "Please, don't worry about it. Obi-Wan's here on a social call, to say goodbye before we leave." It was a classic dismissal, one of a kind that he'd heard from her a thousand times before. "I'm supposing you got my comm?"
"I did. You said I had a message? From whom?"
"It seems that the Chancellor has heard of your exploits with the Jedi and would like to make your acquaintance." She shuffled some flimsis on her desk around, her gaze momentarily meeting Obi-Wan's. "I didn't presume to make a commitment on your behalf, but I did tell him that we weren't planning on being on planet for much longer. He's insisted that you have an open invitation whenever you wish to see him."
Obi-Wan knew that Satine despised Palpatine-hell, he didn't like the man much himself-but it didn't seem that she'd ever told her nephew-their son-that. Korkie's eyes flared with excitement, though it was quickly followed by subdued thoughtfulness. "Do you think I should go?"
The shuffling grew more violent. "It's a great honor, and you'd do well to be on his Excellency's good side."
"Because you're not?"
Her gaze snapped to the boy. "Who said that?"
"He certainly didn't care too much about you when Jerec's recordings were falsified, if the broadcasts were to be believed. You were arrested for that incident, and I don't remember him even admitting that they were the ones at fault."
Obi-Wan wasn't surprised the boy knew-it was a matter of public record, after all, and would have been on the Mandalorian broadcasts-and he was right. Even if Palpatine's actions hadn't been malicious, they were at the very least extremely apathetic, the moves of a politician choosing to ignore evidence to further their own agenda.
"He doesn't take my position on war very kindly, I'm afraid," Satine admitted. "But that's besides the point. Hopefully, by the time you're having any sorts of dealings with him this war will be over."
"Or he'll be out of office, thought that seems just as unlikely," Obi-Wan interjected.
Korkie shifted his focus, clearly intrigued. "Do you dislike the Chancellor as well, Master?"
"I'm a Jedi-we have compassion on everyone, even those who use a war to hold on to their political positions and employ questionable policies."
Satine pinned him with a withering look. "If you don't have anything good to say, keep your opinions to yourself. I will not have you influencing him with your cynical ways."
"No, I'm curious," Korkie said. "Your apprentice mentioned the Chancellor when I spoke with him, but he seemed to have a different view of the man."
"Anakin mentioned Palpatine?" Obi-Wan asked, interested. His former apprentice had mentioned meeting Korkie at the flight museum a few days before, but had never insinuated their conversation had gone any deeper than piloting. "Given that you had enough time to get around to politics, I'm sure you likely noticed that's not the only thing our opinions differ on."
Korkie flushed. "Master Skywalker was a bit-opinionated-if that's what you mean. I gathered he was rather unorthodox."
"That's putting it lightly. He was something of a late recruit as a Jedi, and he's still adjusting." Though the war had done more for him in two years than Obi-Wan had in ten. "What did he say about Palpatine?"
"Just that he agreed with him that the war is going on too long."
It was the truth, but only part of it. Obi-Wan crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair. "You don't have to lie on my account-I'm well aware that Anakin doesn't agree with some of the decisions that the Council has made, and that the Chancellor shares that opinion." The boy's flush deepened, confirming Obi-Wan's suspicion. "I'm just surprised that he would be so open about it, considering he's rarely willing to discuss it with any of his peers."
"He was trying to buoy my confidence. I'll begin training to become regent at the end of the year, and it's a daunting idea." The corner of his mouth turned up. "He was doing his best to give me some advice, though it turned into something of a lesson on war politics."
Everything nowadays seemed to turn into lessons on war politics, someway or another. "I take it you didn't agree with him on everything."
Korkie settled against the edge of his aunt's-mother's-desk, brow furrowing. "He seems to believe that duty and obligation are only good as long as they are equally mutualistic, which I can't agree with."
"Anakin has never been one to do a thankless chore." No doubt because he'd had too many of those as a slave. "And though we get our fair share of publicity, the work of a Jedi goes largely unrewarded, which can be something of a turn-off for a glory hound."
"Don't bash the boy when he isn't even here to defend himself," Satine interjected primly. "It's one thing to criticize his grasp of politics, but I'll not let you disparage your own apprentice."
"Former apprentice," he corrected mildly. "But as you wish, Satine. We meant no harm, did we, your Highness?"
Korkie's eyes narrowed, but a hint of a dimple flashed in his cheek. A damned dimple. "Of course not, Master Kenobi."
Force help him, what had he gotten himself into?
"Masters, I'd like to ask your permission to take a meditative leave."
Kit glanced around the room at his colleagues, no more surprised than many of them were. The only one who clearly hadn't expected the development-and for good reason-was Obi-Wan, who managed to stop looking like a thundercloud just long enough to conjure confusion at Siri's declaration.
The majority of the council, however, had spent the last few days spying on both the Jedi Knight and the Duchess's apartments, as both had seen a lot of each other after her Grace's announcement that she had plans to return to Mandalore soon. Shaak Ti had been the one to suggest that Siri's plan might have been to swoop in and train Korkie herself before one of them got the chance to, and it had quickly come to look like that would be the case.
While some of the more stodgy and staid council members had washed their hands of the entire affair early on, it had provided a welcome reprieve from the endless talk of war for the others. Even Windu, despite his grumblings, had dragged himself to all of their clandestine meetings to discuss the future of the "offspring," as they'd come to call Korkie.
Stass had pointed out that this could be an experiment of a form of alternative training, something that had begun to come up as projected numbers left the amount of potential padawans far above that of masters and knights, thanks to the war. Agen, the newest member of the council, had also reminded them that searches for new recruits had faltered since the beginning of the war, which would likely lead to future cases like Korkie's, in which they'd value the experience gained.
Whatever the excuse was that the Master gave, Kit knew one thing-they were absolutely going to grant Siri's request.
Yoda was conspicuously absent, having spent the last few days in the promised meditation, which meant Mace was the ultimate facilitator of the meeting. Several pairs of eyes turned on him at once, daring him to say no.
He glared right back at them. "Do you have a reason for taking leave, Master Tachi?"
She glanced at Obi-Wan, who seemed interested yet oblivious. "Nothing in particular, no. This last mission just reminded me that I could use a few days to brush up on my basic skills." She gave Kit a meaningful look. "You know, those things you learn way back in training that you forget over the years. They're more helpful than you think."
So she knew that they knew. He wasn't surprised-they'd hardly been subtle their first time around. "Will you be taking your leave off-planet?" Shaak asked.
Siri narrowed her eyes. "I'm thinking about it, yes."
Sage looks were exchanged around the room, even as Mace shook his head. "The Duchess Kryze's security had requested a Jedi escort back to Mandalore, in light of the fact that the nephew is now a public figure. They'd mentioned your name, but I'm sure she'll be understanding…"
He wasn't sure who was more surprised at the news; himself, Siri, or Obi-Wan. As it was, Tachi couldn't hide a smirk of her own-there was little doubt left in his mind that she'd somehow found herself in cahoots with the duchess.
An interesting and unpredictable development, and one that Obi-Wan didn't particularly seem to appreciate. She shot him a triumphant look before smiling graciously at Mace. "What difference can a few days make? Besides, I've heard from a reliable source that Sundari is lovely this time of year."
"It's always this time of year in Sundari," Obi-Wan grumbled. "It's a damn climate controlled bio-bubble. The only time it's a different time of year is when her Grace decides it is."
"All the same, you may tell the Duchess I accept the mission," Siri said cheerily. "Then I'll take my five weeks off and report back here?"
Mace raised his eyebrows. "You're already getting a head start, going to Mandalore. Three weeks, and you'll rendezvous with the nearest troop."
Sending her back to the front lines would possibly give her a few days over the proposed three weeks, and Kit could tell she was considering that. It wasn't a short leave-fifteen days was generous when they needed every able bodied Jedi they had-but it was likely not nearly enough for even the half of what she aimed to accomplish. She sighed, lips thinning. "I'll take it."
Satine could hardly believe that she was standing in Sundari's royal spaceport, welcoming a Jedi starfighter carrying Siri Tachi.
Yet, here she was. It wasn't that she liked the woman-she barely even trusted her-but common courtesy dictated that she welcome all guests, even the ones she could barely stand.
For her part, Siri seemed surprised to see Satine waiting as she climbed out of the small craft. "Your Grace. I half expected to be met by a firing squad."
"I'm a pacifist, Master Tachi. We prefer to take our prisoners alive."
The Jedi's steps faltered, her eyes going to the number of guards around the various entries to the city. "I see. Korkie didn't come with you?"
"He had to return to the Academy, but he should join us for a late dinner. As you'll be staying in the palace, I've had a few rooms opened up and aired out so that you can choose which ones you'd like. We can either go straight there, or I can give you a short tour of Sundari."
Siri shuddered. "Please, I've been flying for sixteen hours straight. I just want to put my feet up and have a cold drink. No offense to your city-I'm sure it's great, I really am-but I'll have to see it some other time."
Satine laughed softly. "Of course. Thankfully, we're not too far off, so we should be able to get you comfortable shortly." They stepped on a waiting transport, zipping off across the skyline. "You had a good flight?"
"As good as can be expected when you can't move from your seat the entire time." She groaned, stretching languidly. "If the people who are in charge of designing starfighters want some opinions on what improvements should be made on the next generation, I've got a few and they all have to do with padding."
"Next time I'll simply loan you one of my personal ships. I'm sure you'll find the experience vastly superior."
Siri's eyebrows rose. "Next time? Assuming I'll be coming back again, are you?" She clicked her tongue. "Don't get greedy, Satine. You've already got one Jedi at your beck and call."
"I was speaking purely in the hypothetical." It wasn't a long ride to the Palace, and Satine watched as it loomed in the near distance. "How long did the council give you to stay?"
"I've been given three weeks of official leave, though I have a chance of a couple days' extension, depending on where the front line is at the time." She exhaled with a huff. "It's not a lot, but I'll do my best to teach him the basics."
"I'm surprised the council didn't give you any trouble."
She smirked, leaning over the rail. "They didn't have much of a choice. Obi-Wan was there, and I don't think they wanted me making any trouble. Your call didn't go amiss either."
Satine had hoped she wouldn't bring it up. "I just didn't want them to think you would be forcing your company on me. Though I had no idea that they'd tell you."
"I was surprised, I'll admit it." She tilted her head to the side, laughing. "You should have seen Obi-Wan's face when they said you'd requested my presence. He was so betrayed-I'm not sure he'll ever forgive you."
"He'll forget about it in a fortnight, I warrant you." Satine hoped he forgot. She hoped he'd forget she'd ever come to Coruscant, or that he'd ever met Korkie in that damn bar. She had hoped that he would have forgotten that treacherous night she'd asked him to spend with her, but for some reason the deities hadn't been listening very carefully to her prayers.
"What's wrong?"
She looked up to see Siri watching her, brows furrowed as she no doubt tried to pry into her mind. "It's nothing. I just remembered something I need to make sure gets done when we get to the palace."
The other woman's eyes narrowed. "That was a weak excuse, even for you, Duchess."
"I may have invited you into my home, Tachi," Satine replied coolly, stepping off the transport as it came to a stop, "but I'll keep my confidences to myself."
Siri sighed deeply, following her. "And here I thought we were going to get along famously together. I take it that means no dressup and sleepovers?"
She felt the hint of a smile threaten. "None."
"Damn. Then I smuggled my illicit nail polish collection out of the temple for nothing."
Hello, lovelies! It's been a fair few months, but here we are. I'm still dragging this out, you see, but it's nice to see that I still have some support, and some of the originals tagging along. Slowly but surely, yes?
Anyway, here's our poor reviewers:
francis1 (Ao3): Don't worry, I have no plans of dropping this! Even if updates are slow (and boy have they been) I have every intention of seeing this to its end!
Jedi Master Misty Sman-Esay (FF): I always love the logical approach to a situation! I'm a very systematic person, and my writing tends to follow the same pattern of my poor brain waves. But really, you're spot on with most of what you said, and I'm glad someone else is able to see it the same way!
AlexaHiwatari98 (Ao3): I'm so glad you enjoyed! I've had the idea for using the sims for awhile now, and it was really fun to write that scene!
RLG (Ao3): Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
Runereader (Ao3): This made me laugh so much! It's so true-perception really does shift with POV. It was nice this chapter to write a bit more of a [relaxed?] Obi, so I hope you enjoyed!
Shade (Ao3 & FF): Aww, you're so sweet! Honestly, this is probably one of my favorite parts of writing this, as I'm very fond of character studies and most of my other works have focused more on relationship building or other characters. Glad you're enjoying so far!
FangalKT (Ao3): Ah, I know. Part of me wants to skip right on to the good bits; but hey, your comment was the inspiration for the scene with all three of them, something I realized I hadn't really done justice to yet. Hope you enjoy!
Not going to say much else, except thank you all for the amazing support still. It never ceases to amaze me how many people still read this story, and I'm honored to have you all. Here's to hoping we move forward a bit faster, aye?
