Dear Readers,
I have got a treat for you as sweet as chocolates and those pastel candy hearts with stuff like "hug me" printed on them. It's been about a month and a half, but I'm back with another teaser for you and some thoughts I'd to share. I am almost ready to post chapter 4 of my Anakin and Padme story Dawn of New Innocence. You can find the story in my profile. I have to share with you guys that I am really excited about this chapter. I believe this is the most creative risk-taking chapter I have ever written in my Anidala AU fanfiction series. I am really interested to see what your feedback will be on it. I hope you will take the time to post a review when it is posted. Shout out of thanks and appreciation to all of you who took the time to write a review on the last chapter. Also, thanks so much to all of you who followed and favorited my stories or me as an author.
Force this has been a crazy week for the Star Wars fandom. With the firing of actress Gina Carano from The Mandalorian it is becoming ever increasingly obvious there is something truly toxic going on within Lucasfilm and the corporate behemoth Disney. The environment fostered by Kathleen Kennedy and other creative employees at Lucasfilm is venomous and unstable for the Star Wars franchise. There has been a number of incidents over the past few years with Lucas Film employees attacking the Star Wars fandom on social media. This leads me to my biggest concern, the stability of the Kenobi series. I am thrilled that Ewan and Hayden are reprising their roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, but this unstable toxic environment that is festering with Lucasfilm and Disney makes me very nervous for the quality of this show. This Lucasfilm toxic environment is most certainly not what Ewan and Hayden enjoyed working under during the filming of the magnificent Star Wars prequels. Quite frankly if Kennedy has more influence over the production of the Kenobi series and not Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, I fear this could be a hot mess. We will have to wait and see.
Speaking of "toxic," I read an article that has gained a lot of attention titled "Toxic Masculinity is the Real Reason Anakin Skywalker Fell." First, let me say I do not believe toxic masculinity is the only reason Anakin fell to the dark side. Anakin is the ultimate star-crossed lover tragic hero. However, I do think it played a large culprit in his undoing and for that matter the Jedi Order as a whole. Why do I say this? Because the Jedi Code demands that members of the order to do not embrace attachment. They are not allowed to love, have loving relationships, strong friendships, marry or have children. The only kind of interaction that is excepted by the Jedi Order in expressing their sexuality is to engage in cheap hookups. Anakin is a very emotional boy who has a lot of love within himself. He expresses this love most purely and powerfully on behalf of his mother and Padme. This quote from the article I think nails the trap the Jedi Order irresponsibly and unknowingly set for Anakin's downfall. "The Jedi do not intentionally encourage toxic masculinity; however, they foster it with Anakin because they teach him to fear all of his emotions. He fears that if they catch him expressing his emotion, he will be punished. That is not a healthy way to learn emotional intelligence."
As a woman, I have to say George Lucas was extremely bold to tell the story he chose to share with the world. The Jedi Code and the downfall of the Jedi through their flaws of not understanding how to live with emotions, attachment, and relationships is a bold statement from Lucas. I think one of the reasons Anakin's story was hated by so many men when Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith was released is telling within itself. Maybe Anakin's story hit a nerve? In general, men are taught that if they show emotion if they cry especially around other men then they are labeled weak. Men are supposed be tough, detached from emotion, and good at drawing in a lot of interest from beautiful desirable women. A man is not supposed to love and desire only one woman, he's supposed to date and sleep with a lot of woman. A man like Anakin who expresses his emotion and love for only one woman seems strange to our society. Because in my opinion, our society is ass-backward. Not to say men dating and having casual sex is wrong, but neither is a man that within his whole young life only wants to date and have sex with one woman.
Lastly, I'll say that if you've read my stories you will notice I have no problem shitting all over the Jedi Code because I think it's unrealistic, misguided and even cruel. There is more to come in my story Dawn of New Innocence on how Anakin and Padme will challenge the Jedi Code, just you wait. For now, I hope you will enjoy a short teaser below for chapter 4 of Dawn of New Innocence.
Dawn of New Innocence: Chapter 4 Teaser:
"Padme what is this?"
"Their shorts."
"Shorts, these don't look that comfortable to sleep in."
Padme smiles and giggles. "Ani, you're not supposed to sleep in them. You wear them. You can wear them today. Since you like to walk around the house in your boxers, I thought this might not feel like too much of a stretch."
"To wear them at home that's fine, but you actually expect me to wear these in public?"
"Lots of men in Kaadara wear them."
"What would I even wear this with? I would look ridiculous trying to wear my utility belt, light saber and cloak."
Padme starts laughing. "You wouldn't wear them with your Jedi attire, only when your off duty like today. You could wear them with one of your sleeveless black shirts you like to wear around the house."
"Are you serious Padme, I'd be practically naked walking around in public."
"it's going to be so warm today. I want you to be comfortable. Shorts are becoming popular on Naboo. I think they would look great on you."
"The Jedi Council would totally be on my neck if they saw me in this getup."
"Anakin."
"I'm sorry angel. I appreciate the gift; this was very sweet of you." Anakin steps into the shorts. The hem ended a few inches above his knees and there were pockets on the sides near his hips.
Padme's eyes light up and she bites her lip. "Hmm, Ani." She says breathlessly.
Padme and Anakin turn to look at the woman. Padme speaks quietly to Anakin. " I'm curious to hear what she has to say."
Anakin whispers in Padme's ear. "She's just looking for credits."
"I'm not just looking for credits young man. I sense there's something very special about you two." The old woman speaks to the young couple.
"I'm sure she says that to every passerby," Anakin says softly to Padme. They begin to walk away from the Fortune Teller.
"I don't just say this to everyone who passes me by. You have a strong energy about you both, it is almost regal." The old woman answers back.
Padme and Anakin stop walking in surprise. "Ok, now I'm really curious," Padme says to her husband.
"I have to admit I am too," Anakin answers his wife.
"Do you sense anything about her? Do you sense darkness surrounding her?" Padme whispers to Anakin.
Anakin turns to look at the woman. He quietly looks her straight in the eyes for a few moments. Anakin shakes his. "No, I don't sense the dark side. In fact, the opposite. I sense her intentions are pure."
Anakin and Padme walk over to the Fortune Teller.
End of teaser