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[It would be nice to be able to banter, to ask precisely what she thinks he could learn, but he finds his smile strained, barely in place by time she takes his measure. Anakin wishes he could offer something by way of reassurance, to tell her it's something else. And what if he did? What if he sat down and acted as if this was nothing? He could leave her to her peace here and return to Palpatine and tell Mace Windu everything.

He could, but he's foolish. He knows how little she's really going to relent. Throughout the years, she's had to do that a lot in his presence. There's little chance that he can fool her now.]

I believe I've identified the Sith Lord who's evaded us for so long. [These are similar to the words he might have said to Windu for a reason: it's like a script. Saying it out loud means something.]

It's Chancellor Palpatine. [Only out of some likely displaced sense of pride does he bring himself to look at her. He wants to show that he can handle this, but she knows his opinion on Palpatine. She knows that he's always been there for Anakin. And now, he's promised him the world, promised him everything—

Including the ability to hold on to all that he never wants to lose. The mere thought almost makes him tremble with discomfort, but he doesn't. No, there is simply a recurring sense of tension in his body.]

[A beat. Ahsoka's surprise and confusion is evident both in the Force and on her face; she momentarily forgets how to talk. She swallows.]

... What?

[Ahsoka was never as close with the Supreme Chancellor as Anakin-- and certainly, she had resented him more than a little during her trial. But she never thought of him as evil. He was the Chancellor. Her mind is reeling. How could--]

Anakin, that can't be right.

[No, that's only what she wants to believe-- she realises as soon as she says it. Anakin wouldn't be here if he didn't believe it one hundred percent. She regrets the statement instantly. The shocked expression on her face gives way to something else-- fear.]

... You're serious.

[If Anakin is right-- her brain connects the dots. Realising all the far reaching implications that has. An unpleasant feeling she can't quite identify yet knots itself in her stomach.]

[Frustration erupts inside of him when she suggests that he doesn't know what he's talking about here. Anakin has been wrong a lot lately, and he's never really known the exact tack to take on all of these situations. Does he tell the Jedi that they're essentially telling him to accept his wife's death? Does he tell Obi-Wan? Is Obi-Wan failing to fight the council because he doesn't trust him? Has he never really believed in him? Is he holding him back?

After a beat, before he responds, she goes on. She goes on, and he straightens, tension bleeding away from his body all at once.]

I wish I could say that I'm not right, Ahsoka. [There's a hint of lightness to his tone here, but there's so much fatigue behind it that he can't lean into it. He wants to. He wants to be the Anakin she knew most of the time, rather than the one that had been in pain.

(But when hasn't he been? Recently, it feels like it's all the time.)]

He offered to train me in the ways of the Force. To show me things that the Jedi Masters would never tell me. He—[It would be so easy to stop here, to tell her nothing more. Admitting that he's tempted frightens him. Admitting that what he wants is to prevent death is hard, so he stops short of that precise admission.]

Ahsoka, I want more. Is that so wrong?

["I want more." More what, she wonders? More power? Anakin is already the most powerful Jedi she's ever known. How could he possibly need more? Or does this have something to do with Padmé...? She doesn't really understand the jump in Anakin's thought process, but she goes quiet and thinks over his question seriously nonetheless. So many times, she had relied on him for his opinion, and now it seems the tables are turned. She doesn't know what he's looking for from her, but she owes it to him to give him a thoughtful answer.

Finally, slowly:]

... I don't think wanting more of anything is inherently wrong, on it's own. Normal people do that every day.

But... at the same time, it isn't the Jedi way, either, is it? What I'm saying is-- the question of whether it's right or wrong is irrelevant. Right, wrong, or neither... you can't have both.

No. It really isn't the Jedi way. [These words almost sound resolved. What does it mean to be a Jedi? What would it mean for him to finally cut himself loose? Obi-Wan had believed in him as the chosen one, and if he abandoned that, what would it mean for everyone? Then again, he doesn't want that, either. He doesn't want to be caught up in some ... in some ideal of what people want him to be. No one respects him. They're all holding him back.]

I've always wondered if I want too much. I know what I'm meant to do, but I can't bring myself to actually do it. If I give up on this, I'm afraid—[He breathes out a shaky sigh. No, there is no resolve here. It's clear that Anakin's mind is muddled, lacking any clarity or stability. The weight of his years of training is crushing him, and he can hardly breathe.

He sees one future, but worries that he can't bring it about. He sees another future, with Padmé, and feels certain.]

It would be a lie to say that I always wanted to be a Jedi. Long before you quit, I was resolved to do so. I didn't feel as if it was the place for me. I couldn't forget where I came from. [Ahsoka has seen many times that he still hasn't forgotten. He cannot be the ideal Jedi no matter how much power he has.]

Edited 2016-09-27 17:57 (UTC)

[Ahsoka, on the other hand, always wanted to be a Jedi. Still, in some small part of her, wishes that she could be one. That she can't bring herself to be a part of an Order that so clearly does not follow it's own Code is something she won't manage to find peace within herself about for many years yet.]

... I don't understand.

[Because she doesn't, not really-- though she's trying her best. She knows about Anakin's past, about his troubles letting go. But Anakin is talking around things rather than about them-- which isn't atypical for him, when there's something painful on the table. But what is atypical is seeing him so uncertain. The Anakin she knows has always been decisive, confident, sure of himself. It's a strange moment for Ahsoka-- realising that the adults in her life that she looks up to are sometimes just as uncertain as herself.

The really baffling thing, though, is that it seems Anakin's come to her of all people for advice. She knows why Anakin wouldn't go to any of the other Council Masters. But why not Obi-Wan? The two of them have always been inseparable, in her mind. And Obi-Wan surely has much more wisdom and experience than herself. But-- that doesn't matter, does it? Because he's here, anyway. So she has to try.]

... What is it that you think you're meant to do? ... And what do you want to do?

[Of course she doesn't understand. The muddled nature of his thoughts leads to him glaring at her, thoughts threatening to tear out of his throat. He can feel the anger within him, both at her and himself. Why is he angry with her? It's that which leads to his frustration with himself. Ahsoka has done nothing wrong here, and he's barely making any sense. He knows it.

If anything, that's part of why he's here instead of with Padmé.

And unfortunately for Obi-Wan, Anakin has come to view him as someone in favor of the Council instead of in favor of him. It's a problem, especially with his future seeming so ... nebulous.]

[Anakin's rush of anger doesn't leave him entirely, but it dies down somewhat. Then again, when is Anakin Skywalker without some rage, hidden and waiting to find itself erupting? Even when he's happiest, there are moments where he feels unstable, like he's holding on to something that can easily slip away from him in the blink of an eye.

Her words are good ones, and perhaps, they are the important ones. His entire life, he's been a slave to the Order: he's been their ideal of what a Jedi should be, while constantly being reminded of when and where he keeps failing. All along, he hasn't had the answers. And yes, he made some mistakes. He knows what they would think of Padmé. He isn't foolish. But then, when he looks at Padmé, he can't think of anything else he wants in the world.]

I've been having dreams, [he admits, the words spoken as if he's finally giving some solid answers.] Padmé dies in childbirth. Chancellor Palpatine—he told me he could teach me how to keep her from dying. Master Yoda told me to accept life or death, but if I'm as strong as they all say I am, why can't I access that side of the Force?

[He knows it's selfish to think that he can only save the woman closest to him, or at least the woman who's alive that's closest to him, but he can't help it. Yes, he wishes he could bring back all the clones they lost. He took their deaths in stride (as much as Anakin takes anything in stride), but it feels like this is just ...

It's asking too much of him.]

[There's a lot in there for Ahsoka to take in. Too much at once, it feels like. Anakin answers one thing, and a million more questions pop into her head at once. She doesn't even know where to start.

With the most logical first, perhaps, her brain thinks. With some trepidation:]

Anakin... wouldn't Senator Amidala have to be pregnant in order to die in childbirth?

["So the solution there is easy," she hopes to follow up with. "Don't get her pregnant."

Somehow though, something tells her she isn't going to be able to say those words next.]

[Place this high on the list of things that are Awkward to Discuss with Your Former Padawan. Anakin sobers surprisingly quickly with her question, eyebrows raising as if he only realizes the part he blatantly left out. If only it were that simple.

He had told Padmé that the news of their children coming was one of the greatest and happiest moments of his life. He hadn't been lying, but the creeping, uncomfortable fear in the back of his mind had always been there. It hasn't left him, not since that day. Not since before that day, as the dreams had begun long before he returned to Coruscant. (She thought him dead. Where would she be without him?)]

Heh, well ... [He doesn't quite shrug, but he is awkward. This is awkward.] She is pregnant. No one knows that I'm the father. [Unless they use their deductive reasoning skills, which people apparently never use in Star Wars Land until it's too late.]

... Oh Anakin ...

[There it is. The answer she somehow knew was going to come.

Her words are somehow vaguely reminiscent of Obi-Wan-- but she doesn't manage to inject into it any of the disappointment that Obi-Wan might. In contrast, she just sounds-- and feels, in the Force-- incredibly worried for him. And Padmé, as well.]

I wish you'd told me earlier. I understand why you didn't, but... well, it's weird if I say congratulations now. [When Padmé's life might be on the line.] ... I guess that explains the visions ...

But how does Chancellor Palpatine know...?

[How did he know? And why did he use that specific moment as the opportunity to reveal it to him? Anakin's thoughts are uncertain, but he turns away for a moment, staring off at the wall as he seeks out the answer. If he were able to meditate on it—but then, when has he ever been good at >meditating? The whole matter of being still has always haunted him when he could otherwise do things.]

He told me a story about an old Sith lord. ["When" would probably be a wise question here, but that would require a natural transition.

Anakin doesn't seem to favor those very much.]

He could stop the deaths of everyone around him. I didn't bother to conceal my thoughts about Padmé. Why would I? [And if he's trained in the Force, that says everything.

And confirms everything, too.]

... I see.

[The words are noncommittal, but it's clear from her tone that she's skeptical. If stopping death were possible, the Jedi would know about it, she thinks.]

Well, putting that aside for a second-- you know that almost nobody dies in childbirth these days, right? It's pretty rare. Especially in women who are otherwise healthy and have access to good medical facilities. So if you're getting visions about it happening to Padmé, there has to be a pretty specific reason.

Have you tried meditating on your vision? If you can find out why the birth goes wrong, you might be able to stop it from happening all together.

[Without resorting to anything drastic.

Meditating on unpleasant visions is hard. But that advice led to Ahsoka saving Padmé's life once. So why should it not work again?]

You sound like Master Yoda. [These words are not a compliment, and he's certain that she will recognize it as such. He stares at her for a long moment after speaking these words, in part because he's hurt. Anakin shouldn't lash out at her with words or otherwise, but he is too ... out of sorts to do anything else.

He makes a noncommittal sound before he goes on.] All I hear when I meditate is the voice of Obi-Wan. It's clear that I'm not there. And she's crying, like her life is passing from her and she can't hold on. [Anakin does his best to add some foundation to his voice to sound stronger.

He fails, instead verging on his tone quavering.]

[ She tries not to be offended by the remark; after all, the advice had originally come to her from Master Yoda, so the comparison isn't exactly unwarranted. ]

... What if we meditated on it together? Sometimes two minds are better than one. Let me help.

[Well ... that's an idea. And given that he can't meditate with Obi-Wan, there's some comfort in realizing that Ahsoka can help him. Being his padawan, she had been in the position to figure out some things, even if neither of them could really ... talk about it.]

That might not be a bad idea.

[Coming from Anakin, that's practically a compliment. She can't help but smile a little, despite the seriousness of the situation.]

Do you want me to light the candles...? I keep a few in the back, for just in case.

Edited 2016-10-05 18:29 (UTC)

[The most stubborn person alive is agreeing to do something he's bad at instead of making piss poor decisions. It's the highest of compliments.]

That sounds good. I'll just ... sit here. [Here being near the shelf he's by, where he pushes aside some of the holovids so that he can press up against it. Some part of him is still antsy, wanting to move (because he's always on the move), and he has his doubts.

But he came here for Ahsoka's help. They have to try to do what is ... sensible.

(Anakin Skywalker is also the least sensible person alive.)]

[Grabbing the candles from the back cupboard, she takes one look at him across the room, sitting there looking awkward, and shakes her head fondly. When they'd been Master and Padawan, he always seemed so much older than her. So much wiser, like he had all the answers. Now, it seems suddenly so obvious that he's not that much older than her at all.]

Here. [She pads back over, sits opposite him and sets the candles down, lighting them with ease. The hut's already comfortably dark-- she doesn't turn the lights on during the daytime. Onderon's plenty bright, so she can open a window if she has to. It saves electricity.

She shifts around a bit until she's comfortable. Then:]

... Are you ready?

[It's odd to feel like the Master turning to an Apprentice, but he supposes that it's meant to be this way. She's his padawan, and he had intended to teach her to be a good Jedi. Still, even thinking of that makes him feel uneasy. She had been lucky to leave, and he has a door sitting elsewhere and he's afraid to take it, afraid of what it means.

His mind wanders briefly as he looks at the candles, set adrift with these thoughts. But he pulls himself back and shuffles to move to sit across from her. Master Yoda had wanted him to do the same thing, to accept what he saw as fact. Just as he had accepted his mother dying.

Will he be ready if he can't do anything about this? Will that be possible?

Both of Anakin's hands find his knees, and he tilts his head forward.]

I am.

[Ahsoka shuffles forwards a bit, until their knees are almost close enough to touch. It's much closer than is normal for this kind of thing. But she has a reason. She wouldn't suggest this with any other Jedi, but... Anakin's never exactly been any other Jedi, has he? He needs a different approach.

She holds her hands out to him across the space between them, expectant, but also a little sheepish.]

... Don't laugh-- I know it's not exactly usual. But ... I thought it might help? To remind you that I'm here.

[And that he's here. In this room. Not in the vision. Here, with the support of a friend.

Visions, she knows, can be overwhelming at the best of times, even when they're not about people you love dying.]

[With the way his mind keeps wandering, Anakin can see the reason. He does smirk for a moment.] Ah, Snips, I never knew you felt that way. [The smirk breaks into a grin, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, like he wants to find amusement in this moment, but he can't bring himself to.

After a beat, he does place his hands into hers, knowing full well what she might see in the process. The bond between them had always been strong—is still strong—but there are so many things that he's concealed from her throughout the years. Everyone has believed him to be a general, and yet—

And yet.]

I'm not gonna lose my way. [He says these words like he's reassuring her, but it sounds more like he's taking the time to convince himself.]

[Ahsoka just sighs and shakes her head with a fond smile at Anakin's poor joke.

Then she nods.]

I know. I'm just back-up. Remember? Like old times.

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