VII. Anakin
"Mr Vader! Mr Vader, sir! Are you there?"
Anakin peeped into the mirror, wondering if he could will the other to appear. Pressing his cheek to the cool glass, he tried to peer into the room on the other side of the mirror, but the stranger was not there. He must have visited though, some time in the morning, for Anakin could see that one of the fractured statues in the other-hallway had been hoisted up onto its pedestal, and a chair had been placed near one of the windows. The weather on the other side looked cool and sunny, unlike in his own Theed where rain, driven by harsh gusts of wind, whipped against the window-panes.
Even though he knew it was silly, he knocked on the mirror. "Mr Vader! If you are there, please show yourself!"
No reply. Anakin was somewhat disappointed. He actually liked the man. Yes, this Mr Vader could be testy, but it seemed he could understand him like nobody else did. And he was strong, and powerful, and fearsome! This black giant looked like he would be able to drive away all Hutts and other scum single-handedly, and free his mum and all slaves on Tatooine. Oh, to be like that when he grew up! To have such power, to do anything he wanted! Free the slaves, punish the loan sharks and body traders, rein in the greedy, squabbling bureaucrats who would not help people, make them all see justice!
Sighing, Anakin looked around. No going out today — and even if Master Obi-Wan had suggested it, he would have declined. He had been so much looking forward to speaking with the mirror-man. Perhaps if he waited a bit? He slid down on the floor and opened his xenobiology textbook.
He hadn't heard anything, but something prompted him to raise his eyes from the book, and there he was in all his dark glory, leaning against the doorframe in his own room.
Anakin smiled slightly. "Hello. I've been waiting for you."
A slight tilt of the helmet, and the other came forward and squatted before the mirror. "And why is that, little one?"
"Dunno." He shrugged. "Curious, I suppose." He paused, wondering if he sounded very foolish, but then admitted, "I was trying to summon you, you know."
"Oh. I thought I felt something."
"Have you talked to anybody else like that?"
A rich, low chuckle. "I do not live in this mirror, you know. Neither do you, Anakin."
Anakin grinned, folding his legs into a comfortable position. "Where do you live, sir? Do you have family? I have a mother, but she is back on Tatooine and I am not allowed to see her. Do you know Tatooine?"
"Yes, I do. I harbour little love for the place."
"Yeah." Anakin could share that feeling. He could not imagine anybody really loving the place. "Been to Mos Espa?"
"I have."
"Wizard! That's where I used to live. But now I live on Coruscant. Where do you live?"
"On my spaceship," came the clipped answer. Anakin could feel the warm amusement from the other and returned it with a warm smile. "It is a big ship, almost like a city in itself."
"Wow! Have you been to all the stars?"
Vader shook his head.
"Any kids?"
Vader chuckled. "You are full of questions today, little one. But yes, I have a son."
"Back on your ship?"
"No. In truth, I have no idea where he is. I am trying to find him. You see, I only recently became aware of his existence."
Anakin wondered how that could be, but did not ask. He sighed. "I never had a dad. I wish I did, though."
Some minutes passed in a companionable silence. Anakin stared at the sunlight pouring into the room on the other side of the mirror. He reached out slightly with his senses, feeling the Force flow around and through him. Spreading his fingers he watched it swirl and dance between them like a river over golden stones. And there, opposite him, was a presence like a dark sun, burning and dangerous and yet oh so comfortingly familiar. Anakin smiled a little. He had really enjoyed their shared meditation exercise last night, so much so that he had tried to repeat it alone before going to bed. This had earned him a curious glance from Master Obi-Wan, but the elder Jedi had not said anything.
With some concentration Anakin gathered a little happy swirl of Force into a pinprick of light and made it dance across the mirror's surface. Soon it was joined by another, on the other side of the mirror; and if someone had made their way to the unused palace wing, they would have heard peals of boyish laughter as a Jedi Padawan and a Sith Lord chased each other's lightspots.
Anakin was still giggling when he blurted: "Mr Vader, you wouldn't be my father by any chance?"
TBC