Chapter 18 Interlude
Inside the Naboo's hanger, Vader regards the small Jedi carefully. It is supposed to be a day where he meditates mainly to himself. He excused himself from Padmé and the handmaidens without much difficulty, having witnessed their solemn attitudes frequently. They have officially lost the bounce in their step, just like Vader did from his time throughout the Empire along with remembering those who were friends in the other time such as Ric Olie, the man who liked him as a child.
If only Vader was quicker, if only he sensed the threat sooner, perhaps some of the guards who he befriended in the other timeline would have survived.
But now, he is beyond bemused. Why is one of the Jedi Council Members approaching him, apparently without ill intentions against him? He remembers this Jedi, the one who sacrificed her life to save the people of Mawan, using the Force to absorb a deadly chemical weapon including him during the other timeline but has mainly been a mentor to him at one point whenever Obi-Wan was not operational if memory serves him correctly. He finds it suspicious that there is no other Jedi in the area, not even in Vader's deeply attuned senses, so he vows to keep full alert at all times unless this Jedi attempts to try something.
"I would have begin to grow apprehensive if the Jedi Order didn't deployed a Jedi to Naboo, especially a leading member of the Jedi Council," Vader addresses the rare Jedi who shares quite a similarity to Master Yoda. He also takes a faint notice that this Jedi didn't speak in the Council meeting a week before.
"Montering you in the Council meeting, I was," Master Yaddle declares. "See through you unlike what many of my fellow Council Members, I can. Sith, you are not, at least not the traditional Sith that we Jedi have to concern ourselves with."
Vader grins. "Given your past as one who have been experimented for decades and near descent into darkness, that is understandable."
Yaddle observes the dark side within Vader, seeing a deep cancer within the former Sith, the dark side that mercilessly stripped her of her Master, a century of her life. Yet as strong as the dark side is within him, there is also a light, the light side that is enough to match Master Yoda.
"Feel remorse you do. Remorse for your life, for what you have been, and those losses a week prior." She states matter of factly.
Vader's eyes widen. Where in the name of the Force Yaddle gotten that from, Vader's mind would have never been that interpreted to the point where he can read-wait it is not the remorse that she feels. The affection he has for Padmé and her handmaidens, the green Jedi able to feel, detecting them witness his remorse.
"Why do you seek an audience with me, Jedi?" Vader demands scornfully. "Unless to ridicule me in the hope you can have me arrested, of course."
"Unlike other Sith you are not," Yaddle answers, planting one hand on her green chin and observing him. "You care for sentient beings. Jedi try to work with the world and listen to where the Force leads us. The Sith try to control their world and try to harness the power of the force. It is with this evidence that I can conclude Sith you are not."
Amusement flashes around Vader's aura as the former Sith replies, "Hmm so not all within your Order is blinded by self-righteousness and compliancy." He appears to be musing.
"Make mistakes, the Order does," Master Yaddle admits without judgment nor annoyance. "Our Order, not perfect it is."
"Not perfect?" Vader huffs. "The Sith have been gathering knowledge and resources. They weren't able to take the Jedi on head-on before, and they certainly wouldn't now that their numbers were so low. So they had to turn to other means, the manipulations of peoples and markets to gain power and influence behind the scenes. That is acclimatizing. Where do the Jedi acclimatize?"
Yaddle sneers at that, "We Jedi have acclimatized in the Force."
"No," Vader replies, "if you Jedi acclimatized, the Sith would have never been able to conceal themselves for over thousands of years. The Jedi from the Old Republic is not blinded by their arrogance and were able to see through the calls of the dark side. Precisely why the Sith have nearly been purged from the galaxy multiple times, but in the midst of wiping out the Sith, the Jedi have lost their insight and what gave them the advantage. Your Order nearly lost not one but two Jedi a week prior. Of course, you will not take my words into your hearts even when the signs are before you."
Yaddle's eyes narrow for a second before she says slowly, "Hate the Jedi Order, you do not." It is not a question.
"No," Vader responds sharply, narrowing his eyes at the green Jedi through the Force, "but I dislike your Order's narrow-mindedness, their beliefs that pacifism is the correct path, you exploiting children in the galaxy, ignoring the problems that echoes among the galaxy is what infuriates me. You have each seen the corruption, the ineffectiveness of the Republic, and you stand beside and do nothing, for in reality you don't care about anyone but the core of the Republic. Because there is a possibility that you went to war, you choose to take the foolish path instead of helping the people of Naboo. Your Order's intentions are good, and without the Jedi, the galaxy would have long been in ruined like I said in the Council's meeting, but there are flaws that I have illumated in the Council meeting that will no doubt go on deaf ears."
"Take this personally you do," Yaddle replies, observing him with a frown.
Vader frowns himself. "At one point in my life, I grew to hate the person I once was, for that man's failures and shortcomings, his naivety, his ignorance, his weakness. I would shed these personal shortcomings and rise in power to become what I sought to all along - but I allowed my power to blind my senses. But unlike the Jedi, I am willing to admit who I am and my goals, when I lost myself in power, and that my faults are of my own wrongdoing, not all of those people in my former life. The man I once was is dead but his image is not. This is illumating the Jedi Order far more than any of you can imagine; your image and ambitions are good but the path you are leading is leading you down a darker path."
"Accomplished what our Order deem impossible..." Yaddle says slowly. "Truthful, you was in the Council Chambers. Return from the dark side you did."
"Along with far more knowledge of the Force," Vader corrects knowingly.
"The information you harbor can influence future Jedi about warnings of what the dark side can do. Countless Jedi can benefit from the knowledge you possess. See this you must." Yaddle declares, wrinkling her ears.
Vader scowls. "No, I will not be a mere name in your history books, my name being the very definition of describing the warnings of walking down the dark side when most of you Jedi have never touched the dark side excluding a few. The dark side is a different sensation to all as it comes with risks and challenges."
"Hoard such information for yourself, you will?"
Vader gives no response either verbally or physically.
"But... why?"
"You should already know the answer to that particular question, Jedi, for you have been thinking exactly the same as I have for quite some time. Your Order will remain ignorant as always and my knowledge will be disregarded. If you wish any other answer, Jedi, you will have to experiment with the dark side itself before acquiring the full answer for yourself."
It's been one year and a half since the Battle of Naboo, a battle that ended in tragedy with the deaths of many people who assisted the Queen. The Queen of Naboo survived alongside several of her handmaidens and they ensured there have been funerals for each of the people that lives were lost.
Ever since, life has been mainly peaceful, but there are rumors from the shadows the remnants of the Trade Federation have located a new base in order to seek vengeance against not only Naboo but the entirety of the Republic.
Count Dooku of Serenno awaits his guest, sensing his power crashing fully down on the planet he now rules. Several months back, he watched with deep satisfaction as Darth Vader verbally cut down the Jedi Council, calling them out boldly before charging out, expressing a display the Count of Serenno has never witnessed before with the power of the Force at his back.
For the last year and a half, Vader resigned on Naboo, apparently without any motive or threatening the Jedi which obviously only further incense most of the Jedi since Naboo worships the ground he walks among.
Never did he answered questions of the public and can disappear from the public's eye very easily, that being proven when he always had Amidala's handmaidens answering the questions asked such as where did he come from, why did he help Naboo, and why do the Jedi appear extremely cautious in the proximity of him.
No one catches good footage of him, not even when he's beside the Queen, who must have become a confidant of his. He would even dare to call the Queen and her handmaidens friends of the Sith which admittedly even shock the man himself. How can such a Sith ever form a friendship with someone who many of their ancestors considered under them and considered just as pitiful?
Darth Vader is different, not a Sith right out of a book like many of them before his was, and would have even challenge Darth Revan in arts of surprise and catch many people, Jedi and even himself included, in an unguarded moment. It must be a talent of his that he mastered in his years of traveling the galaxy without notice of the Jedi.
Dooku will freely admit he was surprised for the first time in many years when he had found out that Vader was working alongside his former apprentice and his apprentice after him.
The opposition between the Sith and the Jedi is a bit more than "disagreements on how to deal with their emotions". It's more like one side values peace, freedom, compassion, letting yourself be guided by the Force, and so on, while the other is driven by hatred, anger, paranoia, lust for power, and cruelty. Individual Sith may vary in their personalities, strategies, and goals but there's a general tendency to try to expand their area of control by whatever means are most effective.
It is said in the Jedi Temple that as long as the Sith exists, the Force is "out of balance" and Jedi believe this means Sith must be done accordingly and fundamentally by the Jedi.
That doesn't mean it's not possible for a balance of power to exist, where neither side feels it's strong enough to risk 'hot' war. An exaggerated view of the Cold War is not a bad comparison - one side is ideologically committed to worldwide communism, the other to worldwide capitalism. The two cannot coexist peacefully without either changing their core beliefs or having a balance of power that makes war too risky. They'll also be constantly in conflict over their influence on other states.
His musings are interrupted abruptly as Darth Vader walks in, both doors opening and shutting dramatically.
"Apologies for this abrupt meeting," Darth Vader decides to use that as a form of greeting, the Count knowing it would not be wise to reprimand him given that his power is ringing through the Force and given the thunderous voice as it has been inside of the Jedi Temple, it made the Count wonder if that is his actual voice. He can see the outline of a lip along with chilling icy cerulean eyes that say a lot in them. He can tell this man has encountered many things in his life and can possibly be even older than him.
"Darth Vader, I presume," Dooku replies, molding his face to be impassive as always, motioning for Vader to take a seat across from him.
Without argument, Vader did.
In reality, Dooku is attempting to soak in his intimidating image, witnessing the man up close is far more than anything the Count has ever imagined. Powerful, far more powerful than him and most of the Jedi in the Jedi Temple. There is a darkness within him, but unlike Dark Jedi the Count has encountered in his life, there is a controlled darkness instead of a havoc darkness radiating around him.
"Tell me why are you here? Why do you seek me out for introductions?" Dooku inquires, genuinely curious.
"Because you have seen what I have seen, Count of Serenno. You have seen the corruption within the Senate and most of all what has filled the halls of the Jedi Temple." the dark being replies.
"Indeed. For the past years, I have been looking at the Sith and Jedi codes, and it made me realize how full of arrogance and corruption the Jedi are. The Jedi encourage a lack of emotion and strict internal discipline. Just look at their respective codes.
The Jedi Code:
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.
The Sith Code:
Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
Both codes are beyond flaw if I do say so myself." Dooku says, a scowl on his lips, having recognized the flaws in both Orders long ago. At least, however, the Sith understand who they are and don't attempt to conceal it whereas the Jedi are going to fail the galaxy if they continue down the path they are currently walking.
"While certain parts of the Jedi Code, specifically lines 2 and 5, are good, the rest of it is pushing a worldview based on restraint, discipline, and order. Now this in and of itself is imperative, but it accomplishes this by restricting the influence of passion. Passion and emotion is the chief governing factor in Humans. The Sith, on the other hand, encourage passion. They use it, control it, and gain strength and inspiration from it. This is their strength, but also their weakness. Emotion can grant power, but it can also blind you. So neither the cold, orderly philosophy of the Jedi nor the reckless abandon of restraint of the Sith are necessarily worth following. Passion should never be without restraint, but the abandonment of it by the Jedi is both unrealistic and harmful to it's members. So while I wouldn't endorse the entirety of Sith philosophy, I don't blame those who would certainly endorse leaning into the "dark side" more than the "light"." Vader continues, earning a tight nod from the Count, both of their views not clashing. "This is the height of their power, and what I have seen troubles me; they're arrogant, hide-bound, and inflexible. Of course, like with Knights and Samurai, not all of them are this way. Jinn certainly is less wrapped up in tradition. Kenobi is halfway between his old Master, and the current orthodoxy. But the point is, at the height of their power, their arrogance and, frankly, misunderstanding of the nature of the Force, is what allowing the Sith to manipulate them into causing their own destruction."
"I believe the Jedi have lost their way during the time of the Old Republic. Even then, the Jedi have always been an impotent organization of do-nothings and hand-wringers ever since antiquity, and usually depend on some small selection of competent mavericks to actually get anything done. They needed Revan to bail them out against Mandalore, they needed Revan to bail them out against… well, Revan, and the Sith lose mostly because of their own self-destructive tendencies rather than because of anything the Jedi actually did. It's not really clear when as an organization they have ever been competent." Dooku responds heatedly, feeling his anger rise. He cared for the Jedi Order at one point, and as much as the Count wouldn't admit it, he still does, but the Jedi Council is entering an endless abyss that would eventually tip their Order's destruction over the edge.
"The Jedi wait until trouble comes towards them instead of seeking it out and stopping their enemies themselves which results in lives being lost. They merely call it the will of the Force. One day they will be extinct due to the Jedi being romanticised, deified. If you strip away the myth and look at their deeds, the legacy of the jedi is failure. Hypocrisy, hubris. They have failed the galaxy for over thousands of years and continue to do so. The Force itself granted the Jedi many chances for them to seek redemption and all they do is continue to deny it."
"This is an settlement I share myself," Dooku admits. "The Jedi should have never dismantle their titles as warriors. It have only made them grown far more weaker. The Sith are good at nothing but narcissistic who cares for no one but themselves and their power. It is time for a new Order, one Order that is perfectly balanced and in harmony. I am aware that you have been searching for a resolution."
"I can see now we must bring the fight towards the Republic. It is inevitable that the Republic must fall. The Galactic Republic is corrupt. Many of its Senators and bureaucrats are corrupt. That became clear when the Senate would not lift a tentacle to save Naboo from attack by the Trade Federation when its people were dying. Surely the Jedi knew the Republic was a democracy in name only, and that it was hopelessly corrupt. It likely been corrupt centuries before the secret Sith began manipulating the Trade Federation and Naboo towards war. They surely know the Inner Rim become wealthy by oppressing the Outer Rim worlds. This oppression led to many outer rim worlds breaking away from the Republic to create the Confederacy of Independent Systems. By supporting it as peacekeepers and negotiators, the Jedi helped prolong the suffering of people affected by corrupt governments and corporations. It is time we begin a new and stronger system as well as a new Order." Vader replies, seeing that there is little choice but to reshape the Jedi by war. The Clone Wars is simply unavoidable.
"What do you propose we do?" The Count of Serenno replies, rubbing his hand through his graying beard in deep thought.
And thus begin the Separatist Alliance.
The Jedi Order greatly values discipline, so its members would be encouraged to exercise self-discipline as well. This would extend to things like diet.
On one hand, the Jedi Order can't stop its members from ordering nerf steaks and Alderannian ale whenever they leave the temple, but if you live in the temple, you're most likely to eat at the temple out of convenience. That means the Jedi Order can exercise control in terms of what they eat. As such, daily menus can be catered to prioritize nutrition rather than taste. This isn't going to stop determined gluttons from overindulging by taking thirds or fourths, but the Jedi Order can at least have a good start.
Fitness as well would be required not from being a Jedi, but rather the sort of workload a Jedi has. When you are routinely expected to sprint through all sorts of environments and fight off blaster bolts on a routine basis, one would prioritize fitness out of sheer self-preservation.
Because no one is perfect, there are failings of course. Of course, you could have Jedi who doesn't exercise or eat greasy foods all the time. And that would be countered by their fellow Jedi giving off a pressure to fit in, and even if that doesn't work, Masters could have them self-reflect or discipline themselves by practicing fasting and such.
The reason the common Hutts people of the galaxy are aware of being obese and unhealthy is that their culture and social status encourage it. They live in opulence so they find themselves able to afford to indulge. A Hutt Jedi taken away from traditional Hutt culture would be much more fit. Beldorion is an example of a Hutt Jedi who by all means could fulfill every aspect of being a Jedi Knight, including their fitness.
There are beings who have completely different examples of fitness so when Anakin had to adapt to these mindsets by the Jedi Order it started out to be a great challenge. In the second year, it was fairly easier for him to become stronger, adapting muscles and eating things never eaten before on that dustball of Tatooine.
With one final slash of Anakin's lightsaber, the training droid - which he modified to be a proper description of the newly founded Sith, Darth Maul - falls to the floor. He's been improving in lightsaber combat ever since he arrived as well as in terms of the Force, mainly due to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
Each day he would train with Obi-Wan in the morning, a term the Council accepted with great amount of hesitation since a Jedi is not allowed to have two masters due to conflicting views, but Qui-Gon encouraged it, admitting Obi-Wan is far more skill in terms of lightsaber combat than he ever would be, allowing his former Padawan to introduce Anakin to that. Not to mention Anakin feel like there is a bond between himself and Obi-Wan that is somehow stronger and more powerful than between his and Qui-Gon.
He trains endlessly in the Force by Master Qui-Gon in the afternoon and evening. Instead of discouraging his emotional attachments as the Masters among the Jedi Council do, Qui-Gon allows him to touch those feelings, allowing him to make several calls to his mother whenever they are not busy.
Surprisingly, Obi-Wan didn't protest; quite the contrary, Obi-Wan's been different since Naboo, almost a Rogue now which shocked a lot in the Temple. There is still a professional side to the Jedi Knight but also a secretive side that form more and more each passing day.
Anakin is beginning to grow worry for his friend at this point.
He steps away from the collapsed heap of the droid, hearing the sounds of whispers from the other students present to catch his attention. "He may be good with a lightsaber, but that doesn't mean he'll make a good Jedi."
"No. After all, he's just a slave to his emotions. It's obvious. Just like Kenobi."
"Exactly. Both are just a slave."
Anakin's anger flares up into a burning point. Even almost four years after having been brought to the Temple and trained under Master Qui-Gon, there are still countless bullies within the Temple who taunt him because of his past and his issues with attachments, not to mention how Obi-Wan usually defend him or how he became different from the slave to the Code Jedi he was back on Naboo and before then.
As a slave, he did have anger, mostly at being a slave, and being very protective of his mother. He has a proud streak, mostly to compensate for being a slave-him confronting Sebulba and pounding Greedo for insulting him.
The Jedi Council still considers it a very real possibility that through his pride and rage he would become seduced by the dark side. That's why the Jedi picked up Force-sensitives at birth; it's deeply unethical, but it's a sure way to prevent them from being emotional and vulnerable to the Dark Side.
The mitigating influence would be his mother. Now that Anakin sees his mother occasionally and being a Jedi, he has little thoughts of Tatooine, but that slave comments bring back memories, memories of him or his mother being beaten by Watto mercilessly.
Hearing them saying those things about him reopen old wounds he tried so desperately not to allow come to the surface.
That is a low blow, even for these bullies.
And not to mention, they talk about Obi-Wan, who have issues, have them since Naboo, become beyond scarred by that rapid animal.
The thought of his old life will probably always scar him permanently. Without even thinking about it and without hesitation, he spins around, using a Force-shove to throw them backward.
"What are you -?!" one of the students bawls, much to the amusement of the Jedi Padawan.
He hauls their lightsabers away with the Force, activating them mid-flight, and angeling them at them. He has enough of them viewing themselves as superior when they are just nothing but hypocrites. What has he ever done to these jerks besides joining this Order at a later age? Why do they resent him wholeheartedly and view him as nothing to them?
"Still a slave to you?" The boy taunts, a dark tone there, almost authoritatively and enough to make even himself cringe slightly, but he continues staring at them in which they stare back at him looking astonish and intimidated. He doesn't care.
"Calm, my Padawan," Qui-Gon's voice is behind him, calmly but authoritively, sounding like the father he never had, the father he wished he had on Tatooine for so many years, brings him back to reality. He knows he mess up in doing that and allowing his emotions to blind him but he is still angry at them for mocking him and Obi-Wan.
"Master, I..." he trails off, deactivating the lightsabers and approaching the Jedi he took them from, even though he loathes to do so to no end. "I didn't mean to scare you. You're right. I need better control of my emotions."
He will not voice any other apology, nor will Qui-Gon force him to do so, given that they insulted him, knowing that he has negative emotions that would force him down the dark path, but to prevent the Council from expelling him or replacing his Master, the Maverick Jedi warned him to be more careful so the Jedi Council wouldn't view Anakin as someone who is unstable.
"You... of course. Forget it." one of them replies, still looking a bit shaken and beyond afraid, claiming their lightsabers back from him and backing off fearfully.
"I'm sorry, Master," Anakin states, bowing his head slightly, knowing he screwed up which isn't good especially with Master Windu and probably some of the Jedi Masters on the Council observing him.
"Anakin," Qui-Gon says with a smile behind his bearded lips, "your anger is problematic but I was often like you when I was your age. Quick to lash out."
"You were?" Anakin asks, staring up at his Master who has always been rogue but calm, never drawing onto his anger or lashing out, especially after Naboo where the Maverick Jedi nearly lost his life to the Sith Assassin were it not for the quick thinking of Obi-Wan.
"Yes. I was young at one point after all." Qui-Gon replies smoothly. "Time will make you wiser, my student. For now, enjoy the gratitudes and natures of being a child and don't bring yourself down. In fact I have a surprise for you later which I feel you earned."
Anakin nods with a smile, feeling slightly better.
The day continues like any other, and Anakin, after meditating in the quarters and releasing his feelings privately to himself before into the Force much like his Master taught him, decides to go to the cafeteria and eat a little bit of something, knowing that those Padawans from earlier would have told all of his classmates about his demonstration in the class.
As he expects, Anakin sees Ferus Olin and the other classmates whispering about, staring at him, and laughing some which infuriate him slightly but he will not begin a fight. Why bother when it would just get him into trouble?
After finishing the quite gruesome lunch, Anakin decides to go to the meditating garden and meditates once more. For the past month, the Force appears to call to him more, and Qui-Gon is pleased with this. He always seeks his mentors' approval.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan states, watching as the Padawan stands and flips around before continuing to speak, a slight smirk on his lips at surprising Anakin. "Qui-Gon has arranged an appointment. You are to see Padmé. Two of her handmaidens are waiting for you."
What? He hasn't seen her for a good two years besides communication and even that's rare given they go on missions that require attention by the Jedi Council. He still loves to check on his mother and Padmé though.
Anakin first feared that his mother would have to be cared for and assisted in finding a place to both life and earn a living but luckily Padmé came in less this would have been entirely Qui Gon's responsibility were it not for Padmé. Not likely one he would have preferred to embrace.
There may have been some work potential for her in the Jedi Academy. However, having a Jedi Padawan's mother in close proximity would have been frowned upon by the Jedi leadership. Especially in Anakin's case. Part of Jedi training is to remove oneself from emotional connections to one's parents and past.
There might have been some great interest in how a "virgin" was able to conceive a child without a father among the Jedi researchers, and it may have been an uncomfortable environment for his mother.
As Anakin gives a brief goodbye to his friend, he walks outside of the Jedi Temple, only to see there are indeed two handmaidens waiting for him; two of who he recognizes due to previous encounters with them.
"Hello, Yané. Hello, Saché." He greets, smiling from ear to ear.
"Hey, little buddy," Yané greets back, smiling slightly at the Jedi. "Don't tell me you forgot our favorite handshake."
"What? I would never!" Anakin exclaims.
Since Master Qui-Gon noted Anakin's struggles with fitting in with the Jedi, he took him to Naboo a few times in the hope that he would at least be able to fit in with the environment. Since he is not used to doing such a thing since Naboo isn't a populated planet, he usually just remained in the palace.
The Jedi Council grimly accepted it on the condition that he is not to go when he is after 15 years of age. Qui-Gon attempted to convince them otherwise but they wouldn't agree to it so he had to agree to their terms. It is only due to verbal fighting that the Maverick Jedi persuaded them to do that much and he didn't wish to make it worse.
Sometime after, he had met Yané and Saché due to his eager mind that causes him to wonder, and they decided to watch him for a bit. In their short time, the youngest handmaidens have formed a few activities with him such as teaching him how to control a slingshot and how to create a secret handshake.
Their secret handshake is a challenge to accomplish. Anakin invented the part where they jab at each other thighs before slamming hands; sometimes they win, but other times he wins.
They exchange their secret handshake, slapping their hands with both of his, twirling to the right like a talented martial arts individual before hitting their thighs and slapping both hands.
"Won this time," he quips victoriously.
"Oh, we will get you next time," Saché replies, crossing her arms across her chest and grinning slightly.
Anakin knows most of the handmaidens like him and don't understand why he is mistreated which is why he found his own things to do with them whenever they meet in attempt of comfort which the young Jedi heavily appreciates.
"So how is the rest of you are doing? How is mom?" He asks, knowing that he doesn't have to be uncomfortable around them.
"Oh, she's doing good. Recently, Padmé started taking her with her and Sabé on missions. She is still training and is still malnourished somewhat but she is enjoying her life on Naboo. She and Sabé is out on a mission right now." Saché replies, patting him on his shoulder reassuringly with a smile upon seeing his disappointed look at not being able to see his mother.
"Oh, how's the palace?" He asks, remembering his nervousness when he had thought Padmé died in the explosion, only to learn Darth Vader managed to save her along with several of her handmaidens. In spite of the Jedi teaching him that Siths are not to be assumed as good individuals, despite how Darth Vader saving more lives that could have been claimed that day, Anakin can't help but feel gratitude to Darth Vader since without him his first true female friend would have died in that explosion.
If he ever has to interact with Vader, he knows in spite of his teachings about combating the power of the dark side he will not be able to fight him. Vader is not precisely considered a threat but the Jedi Order has been observing him cautiously throughout the last few years just at the risk of Vader being an incredibly dangerous threat of the Jedi Order. How can he fight someone who saved his first true friend besides Kitster without hesitation and likely nearly losing his life in the process?
The mood in the atmosphere drop and Anakin can tell both handmaidens are still solemn about that day. Too many people died that day. People who didn't deserve to die. People who were taken from them too early.
A brief thought goes to Ric Olie. He like the pilot and yet he was among the ones who perished. Kriff, he remembers how heartbroken he was when he received the news.
"The rebuilding has been completed," Yané replies, attempting to not convey the current emotion Anakin senses through the Force. "The palace will never return to its former glory though."
"Oh," he replies, bending his head down at the expressions on their faces. "I'm sorry for bringing it up."
"It's okay, buddy," Saché replies, flashing him a small smile. "You were just curious. A curious trait is inside of you. You are a lot like Padmé, you know. Sabé nearly had so many heart attacks due to her antics."
"Yes, Obi-Wan has been through similar situations before," he admits slightly sheepishly, recalling that time when Obi-Wan has to babysit him due to Qui-Gon being off on a mission alongside Master Windu and Yoda. Anakin got into trouble fast, and Obi-Wan had to ensure he didn't break something. By the day's end, both he and Obi-Wan were sound asleep.
Soon, they are seated in a speeder that is taking them to a Nubian, a Nubian that is to set course for Naboo.
Anakin squirms mentally at the fact that there is a lot of women, having been uncomfortable in the presence of women, even inside of the Temple. It even took a while for him to get used to Padmé's handmaidens.
They walk up to a man who is holding ever the stern gaze that is enough to make a Jedi Master fall into line. This must be their new captain after what happened to the original captain of Padmé.
"Captain Typho," Yané declares, the firm look that never suited her in the Jedi's opinion, but given that most of the handmaidens do a 180 when they are speaking to the guards or other Jedi. "This is the boy who Padmé have agreed to a appointment with. We will sit with him on the vessel."
The captain stiffens at the piercing eyes of the handmaidens and nods, outstretching his hand that silently tells them to get them on board.
"You must remain sitting, Anakin," Saché mutters, "these guards are strict, busy, and a insubordinate Padawan is the least they should concern themselves with."
There is no denying the strict tone in her voice, and although it doesn't afraid him since he disobeyed his Master's orders before, he knows when the time of playing and joking is at an end.
Anakin nods, opting to sit down next to Saché and Yané in the cockpit. Being around them shouldn't place him in trouble out of risk he chooses to cause some mischievous which he does have a tendency of doing that even causes his own Master to sometimes get a headache, but he eases up on the pranks as his Master is beginning to form gray hairs and he is changing by each passing day and out of fear of causing literal heart-attacks to Qui-Gon.
He begins zoning out as he eventually falls asleep, thinking about why his Master wished for him to go to Naboo, but he didn't question it as blackness consume his world.
Eventually, he is awake, only by the soft sound of Saché's voice telling him they did arrive, and he bolts up, stretching and yawning before he stands up and follows after Yané and Saché eagerly, wanting nothing more but to see that angel that she still is.
Sure enough, an almost 18-year-old Padmé Naberrie is standing out at the front of the ship along with several of her guards and her handmaidens, who is staring up at the descending shuttle, him seeing her through the viewport. He can't help but feel an ounce of fear because he knows people can change attitudes as they grow older, case and being his own Master and even Obi-Wan, but all those such thoughts erase from his mind as old feelings about the angel suddenly returns.
"Padmé!" He exclaims, rushing past the smirking handmaidens, wanting nothing more but to wrap his arms around her, avoiding the company that consists of the guards and the handmaidens.
"Anakin!" Padmé replies almost just as excitedly, outstretching her arms as he practically jumps in her arms, causing her to stagger slightly but return the embrace of her friend.
Tatooine is rough. It has sandstorms, limited water, harsh conditions, two suns, and no sunscreen. This leads to people aging quickly and looking older than they really are.
This means that Anakin hasn't seen too many people, if any, that don't bear the wear and tear of Tatooine. So when he does meet someone without that, he's confused. He thinks that she is an angel which, while cringy, is understandable. Angels are winged creatures flying around in deep space.
"Woah, you got big," she teases, pulling away and noticing that she is just ahead above him now. "Soon you will be taller than me."
"And soon to be perfect for a marriage," he swears he hears Rabé mutters, spotting her nudge Eirtaé from the corner of his eyes, earning a chuckle from the other handmaiden in jest.
He feels his cheeks turning dark crimson. There is no secret that he has a major crush on Padmé and he attempts to hide it but he can tell most people in his life have already caught the dark hints.
She is so beautiful even when she's angry. Whenever she smiles it makes Anakin's heart beat faster, makes Anakin wish he can see that smile on her lips every day, makes him wish he can be the lucky individual that she falls in love with. However, he knows that is simply not a possibility; the little crush he has will never evolve because she is a simple Queen of the Naboo and Anakin is a former slave and now a Jedi Padawan.
Additionally, the rules of not giving into attachments is an ideal they're supposed to strive for, not a hard rule they need to abide by. The Jedi weren't foolish enough to believe that their knights wouldn't become attached - the key was that they needed to be able to let go of those attachments when the time came without it destroying their lives.
And frankly, it's not an entirely misguided philosophy. One thing is that Anakin and Padmé are how it would have become increasingly impossible for them to actually spend any time together as he rose through the order.
The life of a Jedi is characterized by near-constant travel and seclusion. Trying to balance a relationship with that kind of life would destroy both members of it more often than not. So the Jedi taught their members to treasure the moments they have, but always remember that in the end, they would be transitory.
The other thing one - according to their teachers - need to remember is that the Jedi do not have the luxury of being normal people. Their powers could literally crack a starship in two or bring down a building if not used properly, and the potential for deliberate abuse is even worse. Many Jedi fall due to attachments.
Padmé glares at her handmaidens, receiving sheepish smirks from her friends in jest. It is evident to Anakin they are getting a kick out of teasing their Queen.
"Forgive them. They are idiots." He laughs a little at that. "Anyway, Master Qui-Gon contacted me and he wanted me to talk with you. Please come inside. I will show you around before we begin our talk." Padmé states, reverting her attention away from her handmaidens and patting Anakin on the shoulder before they walk inside of the newly constructed palace that almost is completely identical to the older one that was destroyed three years ago.
Truth be told, he is surprised it taken three years for this palace to be reconstructed like its former glory. The last time he has been here, the palace hasn't even begun its construction, but it appears that the construction workers of Naboo apparently work harder than ever before.
Filled with vast, cavernous corridors crafted by Naboo's own artisans much like before, the Royal Palace 2.0 is a showcase of the great sculptors and craftsmen of the planet, though he notices as he continues his tour with Padmé that there is double of cameras and guards at nearly every single room, particularly at the lower levels where the generators are located at, where the bomb has been set, and where lots of lives were claimed. For days, the Queen had to remain on Coruscant along with the survivors aside from Vader until they found a temporary location for her to be set to on Naboo, choosing not too surprisingly the Theed Temple with the extra double of guards.
The main entrance to the complex is located at the terminus of Palace Plaza, a broad promenade that is crowned at the opposite end by the Palace Courtyard. Like in the first palace, the Triumphal Arch stands halfway between the fountain-filled courtyard and the steps of the palace, which are lined with towering statues of famed philosophers who helped shape the constitution of Naboo's government though there guards there too.
Within one of the lower rotundas near to the entrance is the nerve center of politics on Naboo; the throne room of the planet's monarch, a vaulted chamber with tall windows. The throne rests behind the desk of the office with several chairs around which to accommodate members of the court. The throne was made not only for comfort, to reflect the calm serenity maintained on the planet, but also for function. Control panels on the armrests monitor incoming transmissions and several holdout pistols were kept securely in reach. Further back within the palace is the audience chamber of the Royal Advisory Council, a body of noblemen and women from the city who advised the monarch on social issues as well as more mundane aspects of politics which nearly have twice the guards.
"Quite the military you have here," he says mutely as he follows Padmé into another corridor.
"Indeed," she replies without attempting to be secretive either not getting the hint that he don't want to draw attention to them or just don't care. "Lots of lives were lost during the battle of Naboo, Ani. The people of Naboo doesn't crave for us to encounter such a fate again. It is only due to Darth Vader that I and several of my handmaidens are still alive, that we're currently having this conversation right now."
She shows him the outside of the palace, though on a speeder in order for him to gain a full view, only to see it is much like the first palace, though it is much different. Instead of harboring those who are long past dead but their presence leaving mark on history, the palace is updated, the remnants of the ancient Queens and Kings perishing along with the explosion of the palace.
The Royal Palace 2.0 is a massive complex of sandstone-like blocks formed into towers and rotundas with cupolas covered in green tile. The largest structure in the city, it is the home of the planetary government and the destination of foreign diplomats and ambassadors. A central drum-shaped structure take up the majority of the complex, with a taller, narrower tower being the tallest point. Erected on a cliff face, the palace has several watchtowers on the rocky face, placed to detect a rear attack from the valley below. Additions to the palace during each new administration are traditional and a way for the new monarch to curry favor with their constituents.
Much like the original, the palace is surrounded by a vast garden complex. A pool in the garden is capable of being drained; it has control for a nearby bridge. A security gate requires a passcode for entrance and exit into the garden. A secret passage led through the garden to the Theed Hangar.
After they land, Padmé opts to take him inside of her office, allowing him to sit down across from her. To be across the table of someone who you have a childish crush on isn't exactly comfortable.
She chooses not to drink juice; instead, there is soda, a Coca-Cola soda Anakin promptly takes since there is not that much soda within the Temple. In fact, if Master Qui-Gon is here, he probably would have scolded his young Padawan to no end for drinking down sweets.
She smiles as she pats Anakin on the head, asking, "Don't drink sweets much, do you?"
"No, not allowed to. The Jedi Council does not wish for us to drink sugar that much if at all. It is a wonder they allow all of the Jedi passes 21 to become intoxicated whenever they are duty-free." He replies, knowing full well that the Jedi Council frowns at Jedi becoming intoxicated but it happens every once and a while since some Jedi are unable to resist that world out there that intrigues them.
Padmé scowls and nods. "Good," she replies, distasting the mere thought of drinking. "Alcohol isn't good for you. Soda I will tolerate but alcohol is not something I would allow in my presence.. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems. However I am certain you know this..."
"Yes," Anakin replies, sounding bored, feeling the urge to roll his eyes as it has always been repeated by the Jedi that there are side effects of intoxication along with countless other things, but if he rolls his eyes at Padmé, while she is still pretty when angry, an infuriating Padmé Amidala to him is not something he wishes to witness since angry women aren't exactly a pretty sight to behold, experience he learned from his mother. "The Jedi teach us about the consequences," he continues, knowing that there is also the wrath of his mother and what would happen should he consume even a sip. His mother might just walk inside of the Jedi Temple to find him and to give him a lecture.
She does tend to be overprotective of her son, and she is also strong, given the fact that she had raised a problematic three-year-old child, struggled to survive with the threat of slavery at her back and had no support, had no one besides ruthless hard work and having to endure.
"Ani," her voice becomes softer, "you are right to be angry about what those younglings said to you."
"How did you know-" Anakin is about to press before he remembers: right Qui-Gon before he asks a smarter question. "You're not mad at me becoming angry?" He asks, surprised that Padmé is taking his side instead of reprimanding him much like the Council would have done.
"To be angry is to be human, Annie," Padmé replies with a smile, making the tips of Anakin's ears become a dark crimson. "I won't be angry with you because of a normal human trait within you. Besides, I believe we both have tendencies to become angry. Let's see, do you think there is ever a time where I don't argue with Sabé who is the closest handmaiden of them all to me?" Anakin shakes his head, and Padmé's smile brightens. "But in spite of it all, me and Sabé are still friends at the end of the day. You are not a monster for becoming angry, Annie, I would have been offended too were I in your position and gone through what you and your mother have gone through. Humans make mistakes. Granted, you should keep your emotions in check and not allow others to bring you down because you know that you are not a slave nor will you ever be again and snapping at them like you did gives them a advantage over you. Once you show them their words have little impact over you, they wouldn't have a leverage to bring you down and would grow irritated, losing sight and only hurting themselves at the fact that they cannot irritate you and that their words are meaningless."
Suffice to say, he never have such advice before. Point and being, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sympathize with Anakin, having been through such experience but simply told him that fighting would not solve anything or that it would go away in time. His mother is not good at such advice either since she has been spat on her whole life without someone to give her proper advice and she just attempts to comfort them, one case being him when he was younger and often bullbully many children except Kitster, soothing him and telling him everything would be better one day.
The Jedi Council just warns him about the dangers of giving it to anger, that it would lead you down to a dark path, that you must release such emotions into the Force but it is a difficult thing for Anakin to do, given the fact that he was raised by a woman before entering the life of the Jedi and his emotions always caught up to him.
Of course, he should have gone to Padmé from the beginning of the bullying and taunting. She likely had experienced this when she was his age and younger, or at least had gotten into such conflicts at one point which he nows see is something everyone who had been human would get into. The only difference is whereas Sabé and the rest of the handmaidens who are close friends with Padmé have never put her down unlike his so-called friends on Tatooine. Padmé welcomed his insecurities and his faults instead of being disgusted with his emotions, reprimanding him, and forcing him to apologize.
And for a moment, Anakin wishes to leave the Jedi Order, to just come to Naboo and be with Padmé. She is intelligent, a great person, someone who Anakin can go to in times of darkness. She is not like those politicians the Jedi speaks of, not corrupt or someone who is seeking their own ambition, not like those many who cannot be trusted.
It may have been due to Qui-Gon's senses in the Force rubbing off of him but the boy always sensed something is off about Chancellor Palpatine that none of the other Jedi appears to notice.
"Regardless of what comes, Annie, you will always have a friend here on Naboo who would be here for you to give you advice. Don't allow the bullies to win. You will become a great Jedi, having already acquire a reputation on Naboo and on Tatooine due to you being the first human who won a pod race and especially due to you saving Naboo when you were younger. Naboo will always consider you a friend to our planet." Padmé continues, having walking around and wrapping her arms around her little friend, who returns the embrace with a warm affectionate smile, feeling like stress has been lifted from his shoulders at the fact that Padmé still considers him a friend. Given how Yané and Saché treated him, he should have expected that she would not change her attitude with him in just a couple of years.
"Padmé," he says softly, allowing a smile to appear on his lips. "You are a perfect Queen. Naboo has done right in voting you in."
"Hardly perfect, Annie. Even I make mistakes. Ask any of my handmaidens." She declares softly, tugging at his hair, causing him to brush slightly. "Come on, there are games in the palace. Let's go play."
Anakin's mood has changed drastically.
Constructed on the outskirts of Theed, the Funeral Temple is a quiet, reflective place sought out while mourning the dead. An ancient domed building, the small temple had an open ceiling directly over the pyre at the interior chamber's center. It is at the temple that the planet's dead are cremated, their lives celebrated by mourners who gathered in a tiered circle around the pyre.
It is Naboo's belief that a body have to be cremated within two days of death in order to return the life force of the dead to the planet. Following the cremation, it us tradition for those closest to the deceased to throw the ashes from the short bridge between the temple and the Livet Tower, and into the Solleu River before its plunge over the cliff. The Eternal Flame within the Livet Tower serves to remind the Naboo of the transience of their current life and their duty to lead harmonious lives.
Throughout the temple's history, many notable individuals were mourned at the temple. Following the deaths of his family, Senator Vidar Kim wept openly as he carried the ashes of his wife and two sons to be spread in the Solleu River. Two years later, Senator Kim was murdered by a Maladian assassin and was cremated in the Naboo Embassy on Coruscant, a small candle resting on his chest representing the Livet Tower's Eternal Flame.
The young Jedi, Obi-Wan, wrapping the robe inwards, feels his lip trembling and allows himself to sob openly here as he remembers touching the dark side in the former palace, turning his back on everything he'd promised a firm set of loyalty to for someone who he barely knows.
It appears Vader is correct. The Jedi Council never discovered his brief turn to the dark side though that is partly due to the explosion inside the palace that destroyed everything.
While he would admit part of him feel sadness for the palace that was burned to the ground; more-or-less the innocent people die, but what brings a strange relief to the Jedi Knight is that he doesn't have to stare at the palace that was cast by the echoes of the dark side.
Even should he go to the Naboo palace, even should he walk through the ray shield where he turned his back to his oath and permanently is surrounded by the dark side, the Jedi Padawan knows that the echoes were burned to the ground but the memories still remain. He feels part of him died that day, perished like his first lightsaber, and thus he became a different person, someone who fears that the part that came in him that day would make a re-emergence and that part in him would be lost in the dark side instead of touching most of it.
Another feeling flashes him and all become black until there is a faint light.
He swings his lightsaber at fresh, watching as they collapse onto the ground. Within the Jedi Temple, he can sense Force Sensitives approaching, can sense their desperation, wishing nothing more but to escape.
"Good. Good. Kill them all, my young apprentice." Darth Vader purrs, armor and cloak wrapped around his body as always, darkness closing around the Jedi Knight than he feel ever before. It is like being in a black hole and facing life and death.
"It will be done, my Master," the former Jedi declares, feeling no remorse but a dark kneed of satisfaction, to release the darkness in the galaxy and to have everyone listen to his commands.
He is standing at the side of Darth Vader, crimson lightsaber activated, prepared to kill people with his Master, a dark black robe around him, accompanied by a cape that makes him appear far more intimidating. He is marching alongside his new Master, hearing the sounds of lightsaber igniting, and both stare down at an assembly of Jedi, Jedi who are prepared to stand tall and defend their home much like he did at one point.
The Jedi rushes forward, dashing at Vader, knowing that he is the greater threat, but the Sith Lord swiftly blocks their blows, cutting through the Twi'lek Jedi who stands between them, and the Sith Lord twist his wrist, cutting through a red Lepi's defensive and slicing upwards, the Sith's satisfaction rising at the headless corpse that soon lays sprawled across the ground.. An Utapan lunges forward alongside his companions that consists of two humans and a Mirialan, prepare to dispatch Vader, but the Sith Lord didn't even stagger as he blocks each of their blows with either their lightsabers or the Force, mowing through the pathetic Jedi as if they are training droids.
A Cerean Jedi is at Vader's back, about to attack the Sith Lord from behind but he would undoubtedly only meet a death, however, the man that once have been Obi-Wan Kenobi raises his crimson lightsaber in front of him. After all, it is the Sith's way for a Sith Apprentice to serve their Master. The man that once been Obi-Wan Kenobi lunges forward with his new Master and towards his once ally, feeling his lightsaber cutting through fresh; fresh of his fellow Jedi...
"No!" The Jedi Knight yells, eyes flashing glassy, him realizing that he is on the ground.
He feels the distinct feel of what he recognizes as what feel like blood on his hand, and he trembles, tears leaking out of his eyes and down his face. These visions are getting worse, the guilt of what he has done in breaking the Jedi Code hunting him until this very day, traumatizing him into a different person. Each night he goes to sleep, he always remembers the golden eyes of the Zabrak, always remembers that there could have been a different fate for his Master, always remembers that regardless that he saved his Master that day he did maim him.
He forces himself to stand with the assistance of the grave and stares down at the broken lightsaber that is almost burned to ash at this point. Obi-Wan personally cremated the lightsaber when he was alone privately, no one known that had been the last of who he once have been burning away.
The lightsaber belonged to a Jedi who was a strict follower in the way of the Jedi Code, by the book and never allowing himself to touch the violent natures of the dark side, and it is only to himself that he voices these emotions, the wish that he had never allowed Vader to release someone inside of h-a seed deep inside of him.
What's worse, part of him might have a connection with Vader. He felt it with a slight nudge to his mind but the Sith Lord quickly closed it off in the immediate aftermath before Obi-Wan could have comprehended Vader's connection with him, a connection that is not to be. A Jedi and Sith connection in history has led many great Jedi down to the path of the dark side.
Is that his destiny? To kneel before Vader and become his apprentice? Become a prized pupil of Vader who would be utilized to hunt down his fellow Jedi? No! He won't allow it! He can't-
"Kenobi?" A soft feminine voice is heard from behind as if whoever is speaking doesn't recognize him. Immediately, the Knight lunges upwards and turns around, staring at the individual behind him, attempting to not allow the red puffs to be demonstrated across his face but the Knight cannot help it.
"Kenobi, why are you in the Theed Temple?" The young woman, who he soon recognizes as a handmaiden to the Queen, continues.
Obi-Wan sighs before standing straight, eyeing the young woman who is evidently several years younger than him. She stands slightly shorter than him, him towering over her, her reaching his torso in terms of height.
"Aren't you suppose to be on a mission, Rabé?"
"Sabé," the woman corrects, crossing her arms across her chest and glaring at him, unimpressed. "Still don't know why people confuse our names..." she rolls her eyes before uncrossing her arms and entering the room, "but enough of that, I can tell you are not meant to be here..." as she gets closer, she notices the red puffs and the tears in his eyes, her eyes softening at the evident pain across his expression, "what's wrong, Kenobi?"
For some reason, he just wants to vent his rage, to release all of his emotions at her in spite of how she may cast judgment on him and may report his actions to the Council or to his Master. If the Council finds out, his life may be forfeit. Moreover, he cannot go to Qui-Gon and Anakin since they may be tipped over the edge if they discover Obi-Wan broke the code and touched the dark side.
"Noth-nothing," he responds softly, not wanting to cause further conflict since the Council would undoubtedly grant a punishment for falling under the influence of Vader. "I'm-I'm sorry but I have to get going."
"Kenobi," she replies, unconvinced, placing a hand on his shoulder in means of attempting to comfort and stroking it in an affectionate way the Jedi Knight isn't used to. "Come on, Kenobi, you don't have to close me out."
"I hardly know you and you're right: I shouldn't be here," the Jedi Knight replies, biting his lip as he doesn't want anyone to find out about what he has done.
"Something is obviously bothering you. Sometimes, you gotta release your emotions, Kenobi." The handmaiden replies, staring up at him though he didn't have that much height on her, that is proven they can feel their breaths on one another.
"I-I can't," he denies stubbornly before beginning his stride out of the palace, attempting to push past the handmaiden. "It is not the Jedi way."
"Kenobi, talk to me," Sabé replies.
"I just want to go meditate," Obi-Wan declares.
"Force, people these days. You can't just accept when people wishes to help you." the handmaiden whispers before she did the last thing he expected. She places her full weight onto him and slams him against the wall, which appears extremely odd given her height and the years' difference between them.
She is leaving her teenage years whereas Obi-Wan is approaching his 28s.
"Talk to me, Kenobi," she declares, placing her ankle onto his stomach and not allowing him to resist, also keeping his hands planted on the wall so he wouldn't be able to pull any Jedi tricks, thus proving that the handmaidens can be strong when they catch one off-guard.
Sweet Force, the first Jedi who defeated the first Sith he ever fought in a thousand years reduced to being constrained by a kriffing decoy and handmaiden?!
"You need to talk with someone. I can see something is leaving you like this and I'm trying to help you when no one else either don't want to or haven't noticed. You don't have to close people out. It would only boil up emotions and you would one day absolutely explode against someone." Sabé declares, applying pressure but assuring she is not hurting him.
"I'm a Jedi. I am well trained in knowing when to keep my emotions in check." Obi-Wan replies unconvincingly, staring solemnly at the ground, though he feels himself cracking fast. That being evident by him feeling a strange sensation, waters are going down his eyes.
Another rule he just breaks! Jedi aren't supposed to cry!
"Suppressing your emotions, whether it's anger, sadness, grief or frustration, can lead to physical stress on your body. The effect is the same, even if the core emotion differs. Kenobi, you are killing yourself if you are keeping your emotions bottled up like this. Release them. I don't care about your Jedi ways. We are here alone. Word wouldn't slip from no one. Repressed emotions can also factor into mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These issues often cause physical symptoms, including: muscle tension and pain, nausea and digestive problems. You can die from heart disease or cancer, Kenobi. Think about the impact that can have on Skywalker to see someone who he obviously cares about just dying." Sabé replies, keeping her body firm against him, even after he struggles to break free.
"He doesn't care about me," Obi-Wan whimpers, reaching a thin edge at just cracking and exposing everything.
"He does," Sabé corrects, "Jinn does to. Where is this coming from? There is something wrong with you. Tell me."
"Anakin shouldn't. Qui-Gon either. I don't deserve it. It's not the Jedi-"
"Kenobi!"
"Don't make me. Please don't make me. Please let me leave."
He notices that he is sliding down the wall, and the handmaiden is practically straddling him, given that she is falling alongside him.
Sabé didn't waver, not even for a second as she keeps firm eyes on his. "Tell me."
And finally, Obi-Wan just can't take it anymore, uncontrollable salty tears very forming the little pond form behind her clothes which he means she will probably have to take a shower. Oh is that all that's he good at? Ruining things? Why is a woman who he hardly knows so willing to comfort him?
"I'm evil!"
"Kenob-"
"I allowed my emotions for my Master to blind me, turned my back on everything I swore loyalty to, became a different being that I fear I will become in time! I betrayed the Jedi Order, gave into the alluring calls of the dark side despite knowing what they could do to me! I am a traitor to the Jedi Order, a disgrace, a failure! My Master never wanted me to begin with! Why would anyone ever want me?! I pursued the Zabrak, had attempted to remain in the light but then I saw a dream, a vision! In the vision, my Master is slayed, and so ever the disgrace and horrible person I am, I gave into what I vowed I wouldn't ever become! I have allowed what I feared would be the death of my Master to consume me! Fear is not the Jedi way!" Obi-Wan cries furiously, neglecting to mention Vader's involvement, given she stares at him as a hero along with most of Naboo.
"One act of evil does not lead to a life time of evil, Kenobi," Sabé replies, now taking her weight off the poor man and wrapping her arms around him, bringing him for a hug, not willing to allow him to resist in spite of how he first attempts to pull away before he succumbs into the embrace. "I don't know anything about the Force or a vision or about this dark side except the minor knowledge within the books of Naboo about the Jedi, but I know you are a good man, Kenobi. You are not evil. You are not a disgrace. You have flaws like all good people do but time and time again you prove that you are not evil. Would an evil man allow me to caress you? Would an evil man not regret his decisions?"
Despite this not being the way of the Jedi, despite Jedi are forbidden from feeling attachments, Obi-Wan just wants to accept the embrace, the embrace he occasionally sees people who are not Jedi do in times of heartache and sadness.
The Jedi Knight allows her to cradles him, completely unfamiliar to this sensation due it is against the Jedi ways due to them being trained to release emotions - both big and small - to the Force - but it feels right and it makes him feel better. Not even Siri, Satine, or Bant ever embrace him in such a way mainly due to him usually being able to preserve a strict line of professionalism.
Arthur's note: Honestly thought I wouldn't be able to release this today due to my mother and I going to see Space Jam: A New Legacy. It was great in my opinion and definitely worth the 20 dollars though I shall not spoiler anything else as that is rude and inconsiderate. I am tired though.
I feel like Anakin needed proper help from someone else rather than Palpatine. Originally I was going to have him talk with Shmi, but Padmé just fit perfectly and allow me to build up chemistry between both which I feel was extremely lacking in the Prequels.
Yes, Obi-Wan x Sabé is happening. I'm under the minority that dislike Satine for many reasons along with the ship entirely. It is not my OTP in the slightest nor will it ever be. Idc if people hates me for it. Sorry but I just can't like the character. Her pacifism annoys me.
May the Force be with you all always.