Anakin observed Giac and Obi-Wan from a few feet away, holding onto a bar for support as the ship lurched every so often because of turbulence. Silence had settled over the company, though the Selencian soldiers whispered words to each other now and again. Anakin couldn't take his eyes off Giac and Obi-Wan, their previous argument still ringing in his ears. Obi-Wan's disapproval at the thought of attachment had effected him immensely, his thoughts on what would happen if his former master found out about his secret marriage to Padme. He had never told Obi-Wan because of his fear that he would tell the council – Obi-Wan was a man of duty and honor and he lived strictly by those rules. Anakin had debated on telling him so many times and now, after this, his suspicions had been confirmed that not telling him was the right choice.
It wasn't that he didn't want to tell Obi-Wan, it was just that he was afraid of the consequences of when he did. It was kind of ironic, how Anakin had no idea that Obi-Wan had felt similar emotions about whether or not to tell Anakin about his past.
Now that Anakin wasn't doing anything, his restless mind began to wander, his eyes finally settling to ponder over the similarities between Obi-Wan and Giac. The two of them had quite a few differences – Giac's hair was much darker than Obi-Wan's light auburn hair, the shade bordering more towards a dark and deep chestnut brown. Giac's eyes were a soft brown too, a sharp contrast to Obi-Wan's crystal blue ones. As well as being clean-shaven, Anakin noticed Giac was also more broad shouldered than Obi-Wan, a physique that reflected his more offensive rather than defensive fighting technique. To Anakin, Giac radiated the aurora of a ruling sovereign, control and authority coming off him in waves. However, although that last fact was similar to Obi-Wan's personality, Giac seemed more relaxed and less stern than Obi-Wan, an almost immature streak flowing through him even with all the years of experience Anakin was sure he had.
However, apart from that, it was almost startling how the two of them looked so much like each other, especially since they were now standing side by side. They had the same pointed jaw line, the same kind face and prominent eyebrows as well as the same unique but thick accent. In addition, they had the similar hairstyles, though Giac's hair was combed to two sides instead of one, his hair hanging in parted bangs across his forehead.
Probably sensing Anakin's eyes watching him, Giac turned, flashing Anakin a small smile when their eyes met. Anakin had to use every ounce of control to stop his breath from hitching at the familiar sight. What made it worse though, was that Giac's smile didn't quite reach his eyes - a deep kind of sorrow swirled hidden within them, like he carried an unbearable burden upon his shoulders. Anakin had seen that sight millions of times before, in Obi-Wan's eyes.
He'd seen it a lot after Qui-Gon's death. For the first few months as his padawan, Anakin found it hard to talk to Obi-Wan. His master had been distant and detached, rarely affectionate towards him. It was understandable really – Obi-Wan was probably just afraid about getting close to anyone again after what happened to his old master and Anakin couldn't blame him. He couldn't imagine what he would do if he lost Obi-Wan. Things had gotten better though, and after time, they became close enough to read each other's thoughts just by looking at each other, becoming the most effective team among the Jedi. They had become as close as brothers.
Anakin forced himself to smile back at Giac, noticing at the same time how wrinkles were begining to form around his eyes and forehead, clearly showing how the burden of the crown laid heavily upon Giac's shoulders, as well as whatever else the two of them were hiding.
"Why did you leave the order?" Ahsoka asked Giac out of the blue, breaking the silence. In response, the Selencian King turned to face her, frowning.
"I'm sorry?"
"Why did you leave the Jedi order?" She repeated, a curious thoughtful expression upon her young face. Giac wasn't the only one surprised by her question as Obi-Wan was wearing a similar confused expression.
"No, I heard you I just – What makes you think I left the order? And that I was a part of it in the first place?" Giac replied, shifting his weight as the ship rocked again. Him and Obi-Wan shared a glance as he spoke, obviously caught off guard by the question.
"You fought General Grievous with lightsabers which is, in itself, a Jedi feat. That, and the fact that Master Kenobi is your brother, makes me think you were part of the order. As for why I think you left?" Ahsoka paused turning her gaze to Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi has never mentioned you and if you left the order that would be a good reason for why. Plus, you made your opinions of the Jedi code very clear." Giac seemed to consider her reasoning for a second before leaning back, his frown deepening.
"Are you saying Obi's ashamed of me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What? No, I just meant if you left then it would be logical that you too wouldn't be on the best of terms, let alone wanting to talk about each other to other people." Ahsoka quickly backtracked, realizing she may have worded it wrong. At her distress, a small smile tugged at Giac's lips as he turned to Anakin.
"I like your padawan, Skywalker. She's got a quick mind, not many people have that. You should be proud of her." Anakin observed Ahsoka for a moment before looking back at Giac.
"I am. Now are you going to answer her question or keep stalling?" Just like that, Giac's smile was wiped off his face, though Obi-Wan was trying to hide a smile behind him. Anakin knew how Kenobi's worked – he was no fool.
"You better answer his question, Giac. Anakin isn't a fan of patience." Obi-Wan advised, Giac choosing to send his brother a glare before facing Ahsoka again, scratching the bridge of his nose in the process.
"You're right, I did leave the order. I left to become King, among other reasons." Giac shifted from one foot to the other as he spoke, his arms now folded in front of him while his eyes turned back to Ahsoka, though he kept a wary eye on Anakin too.
"Such as to get married?" Ahsoka prompted.
"What?" Once again, Giac looked surprised at her knowledge.
"You're married. Tessa said she's your sister-in-law." Ahsoka clarified, waiting again for Giac's answer.
"Is that a problem?" Giac asked, his eyes narrowing, a calculating look behind his eyes.
"Attachment leads to the dark side." Ahsoka stated, going back to her teachings. Giac raised an eyebrow in response to her statement, a light smile upon his lips.
"Does it now?" Giac drawled, his smile widening. "Do you believe everything you're taught, Padawan?"
"Giac..." Obi-Wan warned, his eyes flickering between Ahsoka and Giac. He looked concerned and even put a hand on Giac's arm, but Giac quickly shook his brother off.
"Don't worry, brother, I'm just going to make a point." He reassured with a handsome grin, though Obi-Wan didn't stop frowning.
"And what point would that be?" Ahsoka asked, drawing Giac's attention back to her, just as she frowned at the two brothers interaction with each other.
"Love, Padawan." Giac stated, shocking both Ahsoka and Anakin bluntness of it all. "Many species and cultures all across the galaxy believe that love is the most powerful thing to ever exist. Don't you think it's weird that the Jedi think that love will practically condemn you? That if you open your heart to love, you'll only be letting the demons in through the open doors?" Giac queried, prompting Ahsoka to think about it.
"I know it can get confusing...at times...but fear can lead to anger and anger leads to hate, and hate-"
"-leads to suffering." Giac finished for her, now frowning, but not with disgust. There was nostalgia there, and underneath it; sorrow. "I know; I've heard that one before. However, it never mentions attachment. Love, attachment - whatever you want to call it - it doesn't lead to the dark side. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled...but passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love, that's what they should teach you to beware. But love itself will save you, not condemn you." Giac finished, making Anakin gape a little. The words that the older Kenobi had spoken would have been outright blasphemy if he'd said it in the Jedi Temple. Giac's expression had changed by the end too, his expression becoming lighter, a small smile returning to his lips. "It's also one of the reasons I left. Now I'm married, with two terrible terrors to boot."
"You have children?" Anakin asked this time, shocked at the revelation because if Giac was a father, then meant Obi-Wan was an Uncle. An uncle for force's sake. And here he was thinking nothing could surprise him any more.
"Yes. Nathaniel and Katerina Kenobi, but we just call them Nate and Kat." Giac replied back, a proud smile crossing his features.
"Or as Giac likes to call them, the terrible terrors." Obi-Wan added off to the side, causing an affronted look to cross Giac's face.
"When do I call them that?" Giac asked, while Obi-Wan just stared at his brother for a really long time. The younger Kenobi just blinked, before voicing his thoughts.
"You just did." Obi-Wan stated, making Giac freeze, mind working overtime to work out what Obi-Wan had said. When he finally caught on, Giac's mouth made a very amusing 'O' shape while Obi-Wan proceeded to roll his eyes, making many Selencian soldiers snicker nearby. It was then that Giac glared at his brother.
A smirk then began rising up his features as he obviously thought of a way for revenge, while Obi-Wan eyed his brother warily. "Anyway, talking about love and attachment, you should of seen Obi's face when he met Sa-" He was cut short as he suddenly let out a yelp of pain, hopping on one foot.
Obi-Wan had stood on it.
When Giac glared at him, Obi-Wan just smiled innocently, Anakin once again finding the whole exchange amusing and showing a completely new side of Obi-Wan. Meanwhile, Dexter listened to someone talking through his com link, before moving forward to address Giac.
"Sire, the pilots just commed me: we're coming up to land." Rubbing his now sore foot, Giac muttered something about 'being abused and harassed' before nodding, acknowledging Dexter's information. Anakin couldn't help but notice the smirk that slyly slid onto Obi-Wan's face when his brother painfully limped away.
Everyone braced themselves as the ship landed, the engines turning off as soon as they were safely on the ground. A Selencian soldier pulled the lever to open the doors, everyone else getting ready to walk out. The injured clones were helped to their feet by comrades and Selencian soldiers alike, just as Anakin came to stand next to Obi-Wan, Ahsoka at his side.
"These fans of yours surely can't be as bad as the ones we get on Coruscant." Anakin stated to Obi-Wan, eager to see what Selencia was like. He wanted to learn more about Obi-Wan's home planet and his curiosity was starting to get the better of him.
"Anakin, you have no idea." Obi-Wan replied with so much dread lacing his voice that Anakin was starting to believe him. Then the doors opened, and he didn't need Obi-Wan's word to know he wasn't exaggerating.
At first, Anakin couldn't see much since it much brighter outside than it was inside the dimly lit ship. However, he didn't need to see them, as the cacophony of noise was enough to tell him that crowds were out there. When Giac and Obi-Wan stepped down the ramp, shielding their eyes from the intense rays of the sun shining overhead, the noise only intensified as the people went wild upon seeing their King and Prince. By this point, Anakin was afraid he was going to go deaf.
They weren't all screaming Obi-Wan and Giac's name though – oh no. Anakin recognized many girls squealing and screaming when they saw him emerge out of the ship too and although he didn't mind attention like Obi-Wan did, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. He was a married man after all.
His sight began to return to him and he finally began to take in not just the crazy crowds. The ship had landed on a raised platform, a raised walkway connected to it leading to some Selencian speeders that were waiting for them, their sleek silver and blue stylish design making Anakin feel a bit jealous (Obi-Wan was bound to have one of his own, if not a whole bunch of them). Guards were stationed at the speeders and on the walkway, stopping people from climbing onto it from the lower levels where they stood cheering and chanting their royals names. Selencian buildings rose up on all sides, reminding Anakin a lot of the buildings on Naboo as they were made of gorgeous white stone, rich green vines in many places climbing up their ancient and majestic structure.
"And we thought Master Kenobi was exaggerating." Ahsoka commented dumbfounded, summing up the scene.
"You know snips, I don't think we'll ever doubt him again." Anakin added, eyes still fixed on the loud scene in front of him. He turned his attention back to Obi-Wan and Giac, who were walking side by side ahead of them. Anakin watched as Giac leaned over to talk in Obi-Wan's ear so he could be heard over deafening crowds. Whatever he said must have been funny as seconds later Obi-Wan was trying hard not to laugh, his formal facade he had put on for the crowds slipping. Giac was likewise smiling too. It was a rare occurrence when Anakin got to see Obi-Wan smile, let alone laugh, and after the past few weeks of seeing Obi-Wan so broken and exhausted, Anakin had never seen a more heart-warming sight.
Politicians were waiting near the speeders to greet Giac and Obi-Wan while injured clones were helped onto another, much smaller medical ship that had just landed, planning to be taken to the nearest hospital. As Anakin watched Giac and Obi-Wan greet the politicians, Tessa stood at his side pointing out who was who and various details. She explained that most of them were apart of the council and came from wealthy families, giving details that Anakin was thankful for. Ahsoka listened intently too, standing ready at her master's side.
Who's that?" Anakin asked, pointing too a particularly wrinkled old man with crooked, pointy nose. His face acted like it was set in a permanent scowl and although he bowed to Giac when he addressed him, he didn't attempt to hide his intense dislike of Giac. However, Giac's expression still didn't change at the man's blatantly obvious loathing towards him, instead staying respectful and formal.
"That's Lord Tainian. I wouldn't advise going near him – he absolutely despises the Jedi and isn't much a fan of the senate either. He was against becoming neutral in the war, believing that it only painted Selencia in a weak and vulnerable light. He's like a fossil in the fact that he's a man from a bygone era - ignorant and strong opinionated, reluctant to change with the times." Tessa explained, instantly recognizing who it was.
"Is that why he doesn't like Giac?" Ahsoka asked, looking up at Tessa. The woman shook her head in response, her lips curving upwards into a smile when she next spoke.
"Oh no, it's more personal than that. Remember I told you Obi-Wan poured that huge bucket of water over a lord to get back at Giac?" Tessa asked, leaning more towards Anakin so he could hear her. Anakin instantly remembered, recalling all the stories she had told him and Ahsoka while Obi-Wan and Giac were unconscious. In return for promising to leave Obi-Wan's bedside, Tessa had agreed to tell the two of them a few stories that she had been told about Obi-Wan and Giac's childhood. This particular story included Obi-Wan framing Giac for a whole bunch of things to get out of trouble and for just plain old revenge, the younger Kenobi responsible for a certain drenched Lord that Giac was then blamed for.
"Yeah..." Anakin grinned sideways at her, loving where this was going. After all, he had blackmail material now - loads of it.
"Well, Lord Tainian? He's that lord."
"And he thinks Giac poured the water over him?" Anakin snickered, though his eyes still shone with disbelief that his old master had been so mischievous in his younger days.
"Correct. Though, I must admit, he doesn't like Giac for many reasons, his marriage being one of them." A layer of disgust had appeared in Tessa's voice now, her dislike of the Lord clear.
"Why his marriage?" Ahsoka asked, ever the curious one.
"Selencians hold love and family above everything else but even so, the wealthy still frown upon marrying those of a lower class. However, Giac chose to marry for love, not advantage. He may have many faults but he is kind, I'll give him that. It's a trait both him and Obi share and you, Skywalker, should be thankful for learning from your Master." Anakin didn't get a chance to reply to Tessa's speech as Giac and Obi-Wan finally walked over, two Selencian guards shadowing their steps.
"Right, time to go before the crowds get restless and attack Obi." Giac stated cheerfully, striding over as if he wanted to get out there quickly, away from the still cheering crowds. Obi-Wan sighed at his comment, muttering something that Anakin didn't catch because of the sheer volume of voices. He expected it was something that insulted Giac.
Giac, Tessa, Dexter and a few uninjured clones headed for one speeder while Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex and Cody headed for another behind it. Obi-Wan jumped into the driver's seat, starting the engines as Giac was doing likewise in the speeder in front.
"Can I drive?" Anakin asked, scanning the expensive, shiny speeder with child-like glee. Obi-Wan's answer was instant, as if he had anticipated it.
"No."
"Why not?" Anakin protested.
"You'll crash it." Obi-Wan quickly answered, already sliding into the driver's seat.
"It's just a speeder. I'm pretty sure you can afford another one." Anakin pouted, glaring at his former Master. Anakin was right of course, Obi-Wan would be able to afford another one, ten other ones in fact judging from the amount of credits he had in his bank account. Of course, he wasn't going to tell Anakin that.
"It's my speeder then and I don't want it getting destroyed. Also, I don't trust you when you're driving Anakin." Obi-Wan concluded, still ignoring Anakin's pleading look.
"Oh come on! I promise I won't crash it. Plus, to even put a dent in that thing would be a crime! Please!" Just for good measure, Anakin even gave Obi-Wan the puppy dog eyes. Obi-Wan didn't look impressed.
"No." Anakin sulked as he got into the speeder and at glared at Obi-Wan as he started the engines. Then they set off, following Giac's speeder weave itself though the city, security vehicles trailing behind them like shadows.
As they travelled through the city, Ahsoka concentrated on taking in everything she saw and she had to say, during the clone wars, she had been to so many planets and so many systems but nothing compared to Selencia. The city was huge to say the least, and wherever they went, people would emerge out of streets, shops and even windows to wave and cheer at the sight of Giac and Obi-Wan passing. Just like the square they had landed at, the buildings were all made out of white, ancient stone with intricately designed arches over the doorways, windows, streets and on the bridges. Vegetation hugged the walls everywhere whether it be rich green moss, ivy or the most captivating multi-colored flowers Ahsoka had ever seen. Even trees had been planted on the roofs of buildings or on slightly lower stone arches, towering over the tightly packed buildings with their roots climbing the stonework as much as the ivy did.
What was even better was the city seemed to be in perfect balance with both technology and the beautiful traditional designs of centuries past – there were no cold, steel buildings here but advanced technology was evident. They weren't the only ones in speeders as they saw many that had stopped to let their royals pass. Ahsoka saw many people with data pads and holograms, as well as holographic boards advertising various products or entertainment shows, and to her surprise, even children playing on hover boards. It was almost impossible to tell the rich from the poor as the whole atmosphere seemed to be filled with joy and harmony, the only way to tell being the size of the houses, all squeezed tightly next to each other. It was intoxicating. Ahsoka had never felt so welcomed in her life, or happier.
Looking over at Rex and Cody, who had taken their helmets off at the sight, Ahsoka realized they were feeling similar emotions. She'd never seen Rex, especially smile and gape this wide in a long time. She could tell her master was trying and failing to hide his disbelief and amazement, desperately trying to not give Obi-Wan the satisfaction as he had still not forgiven him for not letting him drive. It didn't matter though as Obi-Wan still looked smug.
"Do you like the city Anakin?" Obi-Wan inquired, sending his former padawan a smirk as he drove. He was enjoying this way too much.
"It's alright, I suppose." Anakin muttered, trying to sound as uninterested as he could. However, that completely failed as Obi-Wan followed Giac round a turn, revealing a vast lake ahead, the dazzling palace behind it. He drove the speeder to the banks before changing gears and pulling the accelerator lever, the speeder leaping onto the lake in one swift movement, following Giac's speeder flying over the shining, moving water. Obi-Wan's passengers didn't pay attention to his driving skills though. They were too busy looking at the view.
Ahsoka didn't think she had seen her master's jaw drop so low before, and for good reason too. The palace stood up tall and majestic in the distance, the tips of the silver towers reaching high into the heavens, the silver and tall glass windows shimmering in the sunlight. A white stone bridge across the lake connected the city to the palace, silver gates held by stone pillars guarding the entrance. Giac and Obi-Wan had obviously chosen the more scenic route of flying across the lake to palace, dodging boats and fisherman, rather than using the bridge. Ahsoka could see why – it truly was a sight to behold. It took her a few moments to break her gaze away from it when she heard Obi-Wan chuckling at Anakin's shocked expression.
"Everyone loves the palace." Obi-Wan stated happily, earning a huff and a crossing of arms from Anakin when he recovered from his shock. Ahsoka however, leaned forward so that her arms rested on Anakin's and Obi-Wan's head rests, her eyes wide with wonder.
"You grew up here!" Ahsoka breathed, still quite not believing him. Obi-Wan smiled in response but then it disappeared, as quickly as it had come.
"For a while at least." He didn't say anything else, impassive once more. Ahsoka observed him for a moment, pondering whether to question Obi-Wan about his reaction, but her attention was caught by a flurry of movement in the water at her side. Curious, she leaned over the side of the speeder to get a better look, her eyes widening once more.
A beautiful deep blue and violet fin poked over the surface of the water and slowly, the head of a creature rose out of the water. Ahsoka gasped as she realized it was a water horse, it's luminous smooth skin a watercolor painting of different shades of blues, purples and, in some places even greens. Where a normal horse's mane should be, it had a long dorsal fin, curving with its body as it sped through the water, easily keeping up with the speeder. It's huge mermaid-like tail beated powerfully underneath the shimmering water surface while it's font fins moved with it in perfect symphony. Ahsoka thought sea horses were just legends, just like normal horses were but obviously, she had been wrong. The creature looked at her with playful azure eyes, moving closer to the speeder. Ahsoka, seeing a chance, sent calming waves through the force as she leaned to stroke its long, wet face. It turned out she shouldn't have bothered to use the force as the creature seemed perfectly happy with the attention it was receiving, leaning into her touch. It even let out appreciative 'neighs' of excitement, splashing in the water causing Ahsoka to laugh.
"What you doing over there, snips?" Anakin asked, unable to see what she was doing because of the height of the speeder's sides. Ahsoka was about to reply when, at the sound of Anakin's voice, the water horse dived into the water, gaining speed before coming back up, leaping out of the water. Time seemed to slow down as it leaped gracefully over the speeder, surprising everyone as water rained down on them, soaking their hair and in Ahsoka's case, her head-tails. It landed in the water on the opposite side with a massive splash, spraying water once more.
There was a moment of silence before Obi-Wan was the first to recover from the shock of its sudden appearance, laughing at how soaked Anakin was. Soon Ahsoka was joining in, closely followed by Cody and Rex. Anakin glared at Obi-Wan so hard it was a miracle he didn't burn wholes in his former master. However, while Obi-Wan was laughing at Anakin, he failed to notice another water horse had come close to his side of the speeder. Unexpectedly it burst forward through the water, causing the water on the surface to jump up, completely drenching Obi-Wan. Another moment of silence reigned, before Anakin started laughing hysterically, Ahsoka, Cody and Rex laughing even harder than before. Obi-Wan didn't hold his grudge towards them for as long as Anakin had, chuckling eventually because of the contagious atmosphere.
When Obi-Wan docked the speeder in the royal hanger when they arrived at the palace, they were still completely drenched. Putting this in mind, they should have expected Giac's perplexed expression.
"What in Selencia's name happened?" Obi-Wan's brother demanded as he strode over to them, Ahsoka and Anakin still snickering in the background. Obi-Wan shook his head at their behavior, though a small, fond smile was on his face.
"Water horses. I should have warned them about them." Obi-Wan explained, eyeing his dripping clothing. Giac followed his gaze, his previously perplexed expression turning into an amused one.
"That's your second pair of clothing in two days, Obi. You need to be more careful." Giac teased, Obi-Wan glaring up at him through his wet light auburn hair that stuck to his forehead.
"You're right, I mean, you should see the amount of cloak's him and Skyguy go through." Ahsoka added, snickering again.
"Hey!" Anakin protested indignantly as he finished shaking his mop of wet dark hair.
"Let me guess: they drop them for dramatic effect." Tessa guessed, a knowing smile on her face.
"So Giac does that too!" Ahsoka blurted, disbelief and amusement crossing her face.
"Oh yes. All the time." Tessa answered seriously, nodding.
"We feel your pain, padawan. However, we must honor the amount of cloaks that died in the name of Selencia and the clone wars." Dexter placed a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder, nodding solemnly as he spoke. When he had finished, all three of them burst out laughing; Giac, Obi-Wan and Anakin looking like they wanted to murder them.
"There's a dungeon underneath the palace. Maybe we can lure them there." Giac pondered aloud.
"Has it got a torture chamber?" Anakin asked, still glaring at Ahsoka.
"No, but locking them up and throwing away the key sounds just as satisfying." Giac replied dead serious, just as Dexter started sharing embarrassing stories about him to Ahsoka. Obi-Wan shook his head, his hand coming to his chin to stroke his beard.
"That wouldn't work - Risa would miss Tessa too much. She'd start asking questions." He logically explained, to which Giac sighed too.
"Yeah, there is that. Maybe I could bribe Nate and Kat into keeping her busy though. My son and daughter can be right little siths when they want to be." Giac suggested to Obi-Wan.
"That could work. However, Master Plo would probably wonder where Ahsoka is." Obi-Wan added, pointing out another problem.
"So? We could lock him up too. Jedi go missing in the clone wars all the time. Problem solved." Anakin concluded casually, as if he was discussing the weather and not kidnapping a Jedi Master. Obi-Wan and Giac nodded at his reasoning, which was when they noticed Rex and Cody staring fearfully at them from a few feet away. "What's the matter Rex?" Anakin asked, frowning.
"Nothing, general. I'm actually just glad you're not on the separatist's side." Rex answered, cautiously taking a step back. It was at this point that Ahsoka, Tessa and Dexter finally walked back over, still giggling a bit.
"So, what you talking about?" Ahsoka asked.
"Nothing." Anakin, Obi-Wan and Giac replied cheerily in unison, innocent smiles on their faces. It freaked her out to say the least.
"Okay..." Ahsoka looked at them suspiciously, raising an eyebrow. Tessa and Dexter wore similar expressions, though from their years of experience, they already knew Giac and Obi-Wan were plotting something. No one questioned them any further though. Instead, Giac lead them through the hanger, the smell of oil and mechanical equipment lacing the air while the mechanics themselves worked on the ships, the engines whirring and tools clanging as they hit the floor.
Before long they had left the hanger behind, the loud noises fading as they walked through the palace, Anakin, Ahsoka, Cody and Rex amazed by the sheer size of it. Servants, lords, ladies and Selencian soldiers hurried through the corridors, going about their daily duties. Everyone nodded their heads at Giac as they passed, showing their respect for their reigning monarch, who smiled to each of them in return. They eventually reached a courtyard, an extravagant fountain flowing in the centre. Steps led into the main parts of the palace behind it, the palace itself towering above them in all its shining, silver glory. While Obi-Wan led Anakin, Ahsoka and Rex forward, Giac fell back to fall into step with Cody, flashing him a friendly smile.
"How you doing Cody?" Giac asked him, the commander eyeing him for a moment.
"Fine sir. You know, you could have told me you were the King of Selencia when you met with me at the start of the war." Cody replied, a small smile spreading across his face. Unlike Anakin, Ahsoka and Rex, he had met Giac briefly at the start of the war. The older Kenobi, a complete stranger at the time, had asked Cody to keep an eye on Obi-Wan. When Giac had revealed that he was Obi-Wan's brother, Cody had been speechless. He hadn't mentioned the encounter to anyone, just like Giac had asked, and was glad that everyone knew Giac now - the secret had been eating him up inside for months.
Back to the present, Giac laughed at the commander's comment. "I think if I had told you that me and Obi are of royal blood as well as that we are brothers, your brain may have imploded." Giac joked, remembering Cody's dumbstruck expression. The commander laughed in response, Giac chuckling too. Too bad they didn't realize Obi-Wan was listening.
"Wait a minute - you asked Cody to baby-sit me?" Obi-Wan asked, making the duo stop in Giac their tracks. They both froze like a dear caught in headlights, Obi-Wan's accusing gaze boring into both of them, particularly Giac.
"Well, no, I asked him to make sure you didn't die in the clone wars." Giac explained sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed, Anakin, Ahsoka and Rex watching the scene from the sidelines.
"So you asked him to baby-sit me." Obi-Wan repeated, making Giac sigh in defeat. His older brother began walking forward again; obviously knowing he wouldn't win this argument. "I'm not a child Giac." Obi-Wan protested, crossing his arms disapprovingly, as if he was the oldest.
"That's debatable." Giac muttered as he passed Obi-Wan and started up the steps.
"What do you mean it's debatable?" Giac stopped at Obi-Wan's comment, a few steps up, turning to look down at his brother after a pause.
"Well, for starters your acting like a moody child with the way those arms are crossed." Giac pointed out, making Obi-Wan look at his crossed arms. He immediately uncrossed them, suddenly aware of his appearance.
"Shut up. My point is I can look after myself." Obi-Wan jabbed a finger at Giac, his temper unnaturally short.
"Oh really? So when were you going to tell Anakin and Ahsoka about your nightmares?" Giac shot back, raising an eyebrow at his brother.
"What?" Obi-Wan leaned back, caught off guard and surprised that Giac knew about his nightmares.
"Anakin told Tessa about Grievous' plans when we were unconscious. Tessa then told me on the way over here. Add that onto the fact that you hadn't had a good night's sleep in weeks when you called me, well; it doesn't take a genius to work out you had visions about Grievous."
"Yes, well, I'm fine now." Obi-Wan responded with, this time making his way up the steps.
"No, your not. You didn't just have visions though, did you?" Giac paused, staring at Obi-Wan's back as he stopped half way. Silence followed, a hidden meaning behind the words.
"I'm fine, Giac. Now leave me alone." Obi-Wan didn't turn to address Giac, his voice small as he started walking up the steps again, Giac frowning behind him. When Obi-Wan was out of earshot, Giac spoke again, his comment aimed at Tessa who was now stood beside him on the steps.
"Well, I tried." Tessa resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him, choosing to send him a pointed glare instead. Giac just looked at her blankly, blinking rapidly. "What?" Tessa was about go answer him when Anakin stormed up the steps past them; so quick he was close to running. "Where are you going?" Giac called after him, just as Ahsoka, Cody and Rex followed him.
"Obi-Wan promised he would tell us everything when he got to the palace, and I don't know if you've noticed, but we're at the palace!" Anakin yelled back, his face set in a determined expression. He was tired of the secrets, of the double meaning hinted behind every word he heard. He was not going to wait any longer.
Tessa shared a glance with Giac before running after the four clones and Jedi, Dexter following suit. Giac stayed at the bottom of the steps, a dreading feeling knotting in his stomach.
"I have a bad feeling about this." He stated to no one in particular, finally following everyone into the palace.