OBI-WAN

"Yes, all the preparations have been made." Thalia said earnestly to the hologram of Padme Amidala. "The talks will commence three days after the festival."

"Excellent." Padme replied. Thalia stood by the fireplace in the house's vast living room, speaking to the Queen about peace talks that were to be held on Troska in a little over a week.

Obi-Wan had thought it very foolish to hold talks of peace on a planet caught up in so much political drama, but he couldn't deny the fact that as unlikely as they were, the benefits far outweighed the risks involved.

He shook his head as he watched Thalia, before slamming down the visor on his training helmet. He focused his attention back on the force and the small, floating ball hovering tantalizingly just out of his reach.

"I don't need to remind you, Thalia, that there are many people who're very appreciative for your bravery and hope by holding the talks on Troska." Padme said as Obi-Wan deflected a blast.

"We try to do what we can." She replied quietly.

"Well you have gone above and beyond, and for that you have our deepest gratitude and respect." Padme said before ending the transmission.

"Don't forget to tell me this is a bad idea." Obi-Wan heard Thalia say from under his helmet, interrupting his focus.

"It is not my place." Obi-Wan replied, turning in a circle as he felt the droid spin behind him.

"I know it is, but what else can I do? It's too important to pull out and I can only imagine what kind of message that would send." She sighed and he heard a muffled thud, which he assumed was the sound of her throwing herself into an armchair. "It's times like these I'd prefer the simple life. Like a Jedi."

"What makes you think a Jedi life is simple?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously.

"It's just easy. You live with only the necessities, you meditate on life and learn from your Masters. It would be nice to not be the one giving the orders for once." Thalia sighed dramatically.

"Alright, first of all we do more than just meditate and…learn." Obi-Wan began. "Second, I wouldn't call any of it easy. Take this for example…" He continued, but let out a sharp hiss as a blast stung his side. He deactivated his lightsaber and pushed up the visor. "…there's a lot more to it than just waving a lightsaber around. I'd like to see you give this a try." He finished, gesturing to the droid floating happily beside his head.

"Okay. I'll give it a go." Thalia said surprisingly.

"Really?" Obi-Wan laughed.

"Yes, see it as a chance to prove me wrong, Obi." She grinned, clearly proud of the nickname she'd coined.

"How can I pass up an opportunity like that!" He grinned as the Princess joined him in the centre of the room.

Pulling off the helmet, he stepped closer to Thalia and carefully lowered the protection onto her head. She ducked her head slightly and when she straightened again, he became suddenly very aware of how little space there was between them. He glanced down at her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise at the position he found themselves in. However, his startled expression was met with one of complete calm and a surprising intensity. He felt the force move strongly around her and he felt at complete peace, but the moment he looked away the tranquility dissipated.

"Use the force to anticipate the droid's next move." He said in a low voice, handing her his lightsaber.

She flicked the visor down before raising the weapon and holding it out in front of her. As the droid buzzed to life, Obi-Wan watched as Thalia's grip on the hilt tightened. The training ball buzzed around her and she followed it's movements pretty well. The first blast came but she was a second behind the droid and her knee was stung, followed shortly by a hit to her hand.

"Okay, I take it back. Not as easy as it looks." Thalia grimaced.

"May I?" Obi-Wan asked, offering his assistance and she nodded. He stepped up behind her, reaching around her waist and under her arms to hold the lightsaber with her, his hands on top of hers. "Keep your head still. Use your wrists, not your arms." He said, beside her face.

Thalia's back was pressed flush against his chest and he felt her shift against him as she took his advice into consideration, lowering her arms and slowing her movements. The droid set off a string of blasts and together, they deflected all three hits, Thalia managing the last on her own.

Thalia pushed up the visor, beaming from ear to ear.

"Well done." Obi-Wan grinned, reluctantly removing his hands from hers. As he pulled away from Thalia, his hands brushed against her waist and he felt guiltily pleased to see a slight blush appear in her cheeks.

"You'll be a Jedi Master in no time." Thalia grinned sheepishly, trying and failing to hide the colour still evident in her cheeks as she handed the lightsaber and helmet back to Obi-Wan.

"I hope so. With the tension throughout the galaxy it's only a matter of time before war breaks out. We'll need as many Jedi as we can get." He sighed, flipping the lightsaber over in his hand before hooking it back onto the belt loop.

"You think there really will be a war?" Thalia asked, sitting down on one of the sofas. She watched Obi-Wan follow her lead as he took a seat opposite her.

"It wouldn't surprise me." He nodded slowly. "You have hope?"

"Hope is the strongest thing in the world." She smiled softly, twisting her ring around her finger thoughtfully.

"Someone once said that love was the strongest thing in the world." Obi-Wan added, glancing up at her to watch for her reaction. Thalia's smile grew as her eyes rose to meet his and he held her gaze.

"Are they not one and the same?" She asked quietly.