video;

[avaricious]

Who: Greed
Broadcast: All
Action: The Huntress
When: Now!

That was real mature of you guys all skipping out on the Huntress just because I was made captain. [Literally just inputted a request into the computer for that. Nothing more.] I hope you all enjoy your new ships, because the Huntress is going to do just fine without you.

[He is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OKAY being ditched. He didn't even like you guys! Except he's not, because it makes him cranky and he's stuck kicking around on the Huntress trying to beat the high score on their new pinball machine. He's never played anything like it before, so he finds the experience pretty frustrating. But if anything, he's just bored and annoyed at having his 'possessions' taken away from him.]

Comments

[beardstrokes]

[ He pauses, looking over her. ]

That really does surprise you.

[resnipstance]

Well-- sure. I mean. It's not exactly... traditional, is it?

[beardstrokes]

[ He shrugs lightly. ]

It is still the truth, no matter what tradition might say. After all, I like to think you've learned plenty from me.

[resnipstance]

... I guess I have.

[beardstrokes]

Indulge an old man his delusions, won't you?

[ He takes another sip of his tea. It has gone cold now. Jedi don't normally entertain "delusions" but he's certainly feeling his age lately. ]

[resnipstance]

Hey, I'm agreeing with you.

... When the war is over, I was hoping-- I don't know. I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but. I'd like it if we could still spend time together.

[beardstrokes]

If it helps, I'm not sure either. It would be nice to have Jedi go back to being peacekeepers instead of generals.

[ Luke and Leia know him, so he clearly survives. Now, with everyone else's fate uncertain, he's not sure if he wants to. ]

[resnipstance]

I was thinking... in the meantime, until then...

Maybe I could catch a transport to one of the neutral systems?

[It's not a statement of intent, though it should be. It's a question. Like she's seeking approval or permission.]

[beardstrokes]

Then I'll try and meet you there, some point in the future. Once we get out of here, of course.

[resnipstance]

Ah-- no, that's not quite what I meant.

I meant to lend them some help. You've seen it too, right? That there are plenty of systems that are suffering because they won't take a side. So they get saddled with trade embargoes, and then poverty, and then refugees they aren't equipped to handle. Then they're ripe targets for pirates, and the Republic can't lend them any military help when they need it.

[beardstrokes]

[ Obi-Wan winces, poorly disguised. He's aware. It was such a thing that prevented him from getting aid to Mandalore. Too late, in the end. ]

They could . . . certainly use whatever help they can get.

[resnipstance]

Exactly. As a free agent, I can go where ever I want.

[beardstrokes]

I would certainly encourage it. And for you to remember your training. It'll prove invaluable.

[ There's little else he can do for her. He sits at the Jedi Council, after all. ]

[resnipstance]

... Of course.

Just because I'm not in the Order any more, doesn't mean I'm going to just forget the lessons I grew up with.

[beardstrokes]

[ That's somewhat of a relief. ]

I know.

[resnipstance]

Mm.

[There's a lull in the conversation there for a moment, and Ahsoka looks down at her empty mug, then back up again.]

Speaking of which...

... I'm sorry I yelled at you. Earlier.

[beardstrokes]

[ Normally, here, would be a great time to talk about anger and control. But it would be seem like preaching and it's not what she needs right now. Still, in a way, Obi-Wan is hurt, that neither of his padawans seem to trust in his words. ]

You have a right to anger, considering the situation you were in. But I am simply one person on the Jedi Council, not the Jedi Council, I'm afraid.

[resnipstance]

... I know. I was just... angry. And I let it get the better of me.

But that's no excuse.

[beardstrokes]

[ Well, he has little to add there. ]

Both you and Anakin tend to feel things . . . strongly.

[resnipstance]

[Wryly:] No kidding.

[Then the dry smile drops, and Ahsoka seems contemplative for a second.]

... I think ... I was angry at myself, too. I just didn't realise it until now.

[beardstrokes]

For not predicting what happened?

[ He's quiet for a few minutes. ] It is your first time facing such a betrayal.

[resnipstance]

No! Who could have predicted... I mean-- Barris is-- she was the best of us!

I'm angry I didn't even notice she was in distress! Or-- that she didn't say anything to me. I keep going over our conversations in my head, trying to remember if there was ever a point when she tried to say anything to me, and I dismissed it. Or gave her reason to doubt me. ... We-- we were supposed to be friends.

[beardstrokes]

You cannot expect to predict or know such things. Unless she came forward with it, there was simply no way of telling.

It was the same for Dooku. Qui-Gon's master, Yoda's apprentice. At the time, . . . well, there was no time for shock.

But trying to recount the events of the past for a hint or a clue will not help you, Ahsoka. Because I can tell you now . . . you won't find it.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka's whole being seems to droop.]

... I know. I just... I can't help but feel like so much of this could have been easily avoided.

[beardstrokes]

[ He strokes his beard lightly, keeping his gaze on her. ]

It is not an uncommon feeling, I'm afraid. And one that will take time to reconcile.