"Padmé, are you out here?"
The brown-haired girl peeps her head around the tree trunk. Her nana's stood on the porch, shielding her eyes from the Nabooian sun as she looks out over the lake.
Padmé giggles, clamping a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound. It's late in the afternoon, and she's been studying all morning. Nana has been relentless in preparing her for boarding school which she'll attend in a few months.
Her parents think she'll be a good politician someday.
"Padmé, dearest!" Her nana calls again, stepping onto the freshly cut grass. "Where are you?"
She takes a small step backwards and scans the tree towering above her. If she can sit at the top, she'll be able to see the waterfalls.
"Ah, there you are!" Nana calls, "Come down from there, sweetheart!"
"No, nana!" Padmé calls back, panting slightly as she lifts herself onto a branch, dirt already staining her white tights.
She huffs, pushing her hair back again. Nana likes to braid it, but Padmé doesn't like that. It hurts and makes her head look disproportionately large.
"I won't ask again, Madam." Nana's beneath her now, arms crossed sternly. "We have a lesson to be getting on with."
"I'm tired of learning, nana!" She whines.
"Tired?" Nana repeats, shocked, "My dear Padmé, you should never grow tired of learning."
"Well, I am." Padmé pouts, straddling a branch.
Nana sighs, "How about a story, sweetheart?"
Padmé rolls her eyes. Most of nana's stories are dull or have predictable endings, but it's better than reading romantic poetry, so she gets ready to climb down.
"Padmé!" Nana shouts when her foot slips off a branch.
She's falling for a moment, and then she feels her nana's arms swooping around her. Padmé takes a shuddery breath as she's lowered to the floor, "Sorry, nana."
"You must be more careful." Nana scolds, kneeling to look the girl over, "Beautiful girls like you cannot have bumps and bruises. What would your parents say if I brought you back into the house with a broken leg?"
Padmé says nothing, taking her nana's hand and following her indoors. Her thumb finds its way to her mouth again, and she can smell the tree bark on her skin.
"You'll make your teeth go wonky." Nana says as she holds the porch door open, swatting at Padmé's hand. "Toddlers suck their thumbs, not young ladies."
"Nana," she whines, wiping her wet thumb across her skirt, "I don't want to be a young lady anymore."
Her nana looks down at her, amused, "Why, Padmé, being a young lady is a wonderful thing for a girl like you to strive for. You won't find a better purpose in life than being a gracious host and a pretty face."
"What if I want to be more than that?"
Nana laughs, petting her head, "Don't be silly, dearest. Now, sit down whilst I tell you a story."
"Okay," she mumbles, plonking down onto the rug and masterfully avoiding the that's-not-ladylike look that nana gives her.
"I want to tell you a story about the Mandalorians." Nana says, sitting gracefully in a wicker chair.
Padmé frowns, "I thought papa said no more stories about Mandalorians?"
"Well, papa is away on business, isn't he?" Nana bends down to cup her cheek, smiling, "It's important to know about other culture's histories, Padmé, don't you agree?"
She nods slowly, "What's the story about, nana?"
Nana sits upright again and folds her hands in her lap, "The story is about Clan Kehl."
The middle-aged woman spent a great deal of time living on Mandalore as a nana for the children of a General, and the citizens have always held a special place in her heart, despite their obsession with violence.
Padmé despises violence. It's senseless.
"They were peaceful people," nana continues, "always keeping to themselves. Most were farmers, and an odd few were great engineers. Their planet was tranquil, almost like Naboo, except the people were humbler."
Padmé nods, knowing her papa is a prideful Nabooian. He whistles the planet's anthem wherever he goes and has framed paintings of Nabooian monarchs adorning the walls of their home.
"On Mandalore, the army was preparing for another war. They asked Clan Kehl to make them weapons, but the Clan refused." Nana sighs, "The government sent out a notice which stated that compliance was indisputable-"
"Why did the Clan refuse?" Padmé asks, interrupting. "Mandalorians love war."
"Weren't you listening to me, young one? Clan Kehl were peaceful people, not warriors like other Mandalorians."
Padmé frowns. If a government asks for their people's help, then the people ought to provide.
"I just can't understand why they would refuse to do something their government asked them to do." The girl mutters.
"A government can only guide its people, not control them." Nana says, "You must remember that, dear. At the time, the Mandalorians in charge didn't care for the freedoms of their people. All they cared about was being the best warriors in the galaxy, no matter the cost."
"That sounds problematic."
Nana laughs, "Indeed, but let's not get distracted by Mandalorian politics."
"Okay. "Padmé shifts her position, "So, they refused to make weapons for the army, and the government gave them one last chance to change their minds. What happened next?"
"Clan Kehl stood their ground, so the government, with the permission of the Jedi Council, went to their village to punish the clan for cowardice."
"Punish them?" Padmé frowns deeply, "How?"
Nana's face grows sad, "They punished the clan by erasing their name from Mandalorian history- permanently."
Her papa has a saying: the only way to permanently resolve a political issue is to kill everyone involved.
Padmé's eyes widen, "They killed all of the clan members?"
"Eventually, yes." Nana shakes her head, "They made sure the clan knew they were wrong to refuse the order to create weapons for the army. They started with the men, then the woman, and finally, the children."
Padmé recoils slightly, shocked but not repulsed like any other child would be.
"After every clan member was killed, the village was set alight." Nana continues, her eyes glazed over, "It was a demonstration to the other clans of Mandalore, warning them what would happen if they disobeyed the government."
"Why would the Jedi Council permit such an attack?" Padmé asks, curious, "I thought they were peacekeepers."
"For the most part, they are." Padmé frowns; an organisation of peacekeepers can't pick and choose when they decide to keep the peace. "The Jedi who permitted the attack fell from the Light Side and left the Order a few months after the attack on Clan Kehl. Their reasoning for permitting the attack on Clan Kehl was that they had a treaty with the Mandalorians, and they didn't want to ruin the peace."
So, they didn't want to ruin the peace with the Mandalorians, so they allowed an entire village to be slaughtered?
"What does it mean to fall from the Light Side?"
Nana laughs at her, "Silly, Padmé, those are just Jedi terms. They'll never mean anything to you or me."
Padmé huffs, climbing to her feet. "Is that the end of the story, nana?"
"The end? Why, of course not." Nana snatches Padmé by the waist and puts her on her lap, "The Mandalorian government wiped Clan Kehl from their history books, but how do you think someone like me could've found out this story?"
Padmé bites back the obvious: because it's fictional! All of nana's stories are just folklore- none of it is true.
Nana will get upset if Padmé says that out loud.
Instead, she says, "There could've been someone who escaped."
"You're right, my clever girl!" Nana praises, squeezing her until her ribs hurt. "A young girl escaped the village and managed to leave the Mandalore System. Then, she found me and-"
"Padmé!" Her mother calls from the kitchen, cutting nana off.
"Oh dear, mama sounds angry." Padmé slides off nana's lap, almost glad she has an excuse to leave this boring story time, "Another time, I guess, nana."
Ahsoka turns off her alarm after the first beep, nervousness and excitement already giving her an adrenaline rush before she's even sat up.
This is it.
After over a year of begging, Anakin's finally letting Ahsoka take the 501st on a mission without him.
Well, so maybe he isn't letting her go willingly...
The Council wanted Anakin to take on some diplomatic duties to work on his interpersonal issues, which took him off the rooster for missions. An opportunity opened for the 501st to take on a mission in the Outer Rim, and with Anakin grounded to Coruscant, the Council decided Ahsoka could take the boys-in-blue herself.
At first, Anakin threw a tantrum, but then Obi-Wan had a 'chat' with him. He's still not happy with giving Ahsoka control over his Legion, but at least he isn't putting his foot down and downright refusing to sign over the reins.
She's excited to finally put her training to the test. It'll be good preparation for when she's Knighted and has to make decisions on her own. Even though she feels prepared for the added responsibility, Ahsoka would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous.
It's scary to have so many lives will be in her hands.
It reminds her of Ryloth.
Ahsoka shudders, pushing the haunting memories away. This mission won't be a repeat of that disaster. She was young then- young, immature, and inexperienced. Now, she knows what it means to be a good leader and achieve success without needlessly risking the lives of her men.
Slinging her satchel over one shoulder, Ahsoka silently closes the door to her bedroom. She prays Anakin is sleeping in today, so he won't be a complete parent. They said their formal goodbyes last night, and he knows how much she hates it when he fusses over her.
And yet, she knows from the smell of jerba cheese and Klatooine paddy frog sausage, that Anakin is indeed awake.
"Morning, Snips!" He's stood in the front of the stove, tending to a sizzling frying pan with a large spatula when she enters the kitchen. "I hope you're hungry; I made your favourite!"
She forces her lips into a smile, he's far too energetic for 0700, "Thanks, Master."
"What's wrong?" He asks, concern shining through his Force-signature. His amplified feelings across their bond was one of the reasons Ahsoka brought her worries about her Master to Obi-Wan. "Are you nervous? You know, the Council can send another Knight to go with you if you're worried."
"It's not that." She inwardly rolls her eyes at his attempt to stop her soloing this mission. "I thought you were going to sleep in today."
He shrugs, "I have things to do too, Snips"
She raises an eye marking, "You have a meeting with the Chancellor at midday that you would've woken up for fifteen minutes beforehand, had I not been leaving today. You aren't fooling anyone, Master."
"Am I not allowed to cook breakfast for my Padawan who's going on her first solo mission with my Legion today?" He accuses, levitating two plates with one hand and serving up their food.
"Um," Ahsoka isn't sure how to put this, "Rex and I kind of agreed to get breakfast on the go."
Anakin pauses, "Oh." He lowers the plates to the counter, "Sorry, I should've known-"
"No, no," Ahsoka starts, already sensing that she's hurt his feelings, "It's fine, honestly. I prefer your cooking over the mess' food any day."
"Liar." Anakin laughs once before glancing at her, "You can get going if you want to."
Kriff, he's making her feel so bad. Why did she even open her mouth in the first place? She should've just been grateful he cooked for her.
She checks her wrist chrono, "I'm still pretty early; I can stay for another ten minutes or so."
The smile on Anakin's face is too genuine and pure, Ahsoka automatically smiles back.
She throws her satchel beside the door and walks to the kitchen table. It's littered in datapads, spare bolts and pod-racing magazines. She moves the clutter to one side, making space for herself and Anakin to eat.
Routine is necessary and that includes having time and space to eat, Master Che drilled into their heads.
"One Hungry Hutt sandwich for the Commander." Anakin announces, putting her plate in front of her. Poached gorg egg, Klatooine paddy frog sausage and a slice of jerba cheese, all served on a pedunkee mufkin; Ahsoka inhales the delicious aroma whilst Anakin sits down with his own portion.
"This looks amazing," she says, collecting the sandwich in her hands and taking a large bite. She hums in contentment as the different flavours hit her tongue. He may not be great at boiling rations, but Anakin's a mean cook when it comes to real food.
"Obi-Wan made this for me the morning of my first mission without him," Anakin says, taking a bite of his own.
Ahsoka chews, realising now why seeing her off is so important to Anakin. If she ever has her own Padawan, she wants to cook them a nice breakfast- maybe even a Hungry Hutt sandwich- when they go solo for the first time.
The two Jedi eat in silence. Usually, they discuss battle plans over meals, or sometimes just gossip, but they're content to enjoy the food without conversation. In her mind, Ahsoka's running over the final details of her upcoming mission, making sure she's prepared for anything that doesn't go according to plan.
"You know, I may be grounded to the Temple," Anakin starts, holding a hand over his mouth as he chews. Obi-Wan hates it when he talks with his mouth full, "but, if anything happens, call me and I'll be there."
Ahsoka smiles, knowing she has no hope of arguing with him, "Okay, I will."
"You have Rex to support you." Anakin continues, "He'll help out."
Her smile fades, "I'm supposed to be the one in charge, Master, not Rex."
"I know," Anakin leans back in his chair, watching her, "I outrank Rex too, but I rely on him in every campaign. His experience is handy, and he knows the men better than we do."
Ahsoka doubts that. Anakin will learn the clones' names and skills, but he doesn't spend half as much time with them compared to Ahsoka. The men aren't just her soldiers, they're her friends, and she likes to think she knows them well.
Although, she understands what Anakin is saying. There are two shinies coming on this mission; and they're fresh off Kamino, so they have probably never spoken to a female superior. It's always a little awkward with the new men, but Rex makes sure he introduces every new soldier to Ahsoka, so they become familiar with her.
She rests her cheek in her hand, "Are you going to worry the entire time I'm away, Master?"
He laughs, "My job is to worry."
She rolls her eyes, "Your job is to train me well enough that you don't worry when I go off on my own."
"Well, then we have some more training to do," he teases, stacking their empty plates, "Do you feel worried about going off on your own?"
Ahsoka looks down at her knees, wonders if they're shaking from nervousness or excitement. It's scary- she'll admit- having the full responsibility of her men's lives. This isn't the hardest mission she's ever been on, and a fair number of veterans are going with her, including two ARCs, so there's no reason for her to be anxious.
"Take care of the men, and they'll take care of you." Anakin says, reading her thoughts. "I believe in you, Snips. If I really didn't think you could handle this, then we would both still be in bed and going to visit the Chancellor in a few hours."
She laughs, standing up, "Think I'll take the Separatist outpost on Xorrn, thanks."
"If I had the choice, I'd pick the same." Anakin sighs, sending their plates to the kitchen with a wave of his hand.
"You'll be back on the field before you know it, Master." Ahsoka walks over to the door to pick up her satchel, suddenly overwhelmed with guilt because she gets to go off-planet and Anakin will be left here, "You won't get too lonely, will you?"
He laughs behind her, "I have friends other than you, Snips."
By 'friends', he means Obi-Wan, Padmé and Palpatine. Ahsoka can't think of anyone else on Coruscant who Anakin spends time with.
"I like the new uniform." She hears him say behind her, "Makes you look more mature."
The chevrons on her lekku darken in a blush as she smooths out her new skirt, "It was time for a change."
The bandeau top was wearing a little tight for her comfort in the past few weeks, and the medics lectured her enough about its lack of protection, so Ahsoka enlisted Senator Amidala's help in finding more battlefield appropriate attire.
Now, she wears a maroon backless dress with fire-retardant and tear-resistant material, courtesy of Padmé's funds. The Senator said it suits her growing figure well, which made Ahsoka hesitant to wear it in front of her Legion of testosterone-fuelled soldiers, but she eventually submitted.
Her favourite addition to her new look is the extension on her Padawan braid, gifted to her by Master Yoda himself.
Anakin projects pride across their Force bond, probably listening in to her memories. Ahsoka sends him a wave of gratitude, though she'll never be able to thank him enough for teaching her so well.
"Hey," she glances over her shoulder at him. Anakin throws her a two-fingered salute, "See you on the flip side, Commander Tano."
She returns the gesture, preferring it over a formal Jedi bow, "Stay out of trouble, Skyguy. Don't forget your meds."
The last thing she sees before the door closes is Anakin smiling cockily, holding up a small orange bottle. Ahsoka sighs, hitching her satchel up as it starts to slip.
She hopes Anakin will survive her absence.