the moments when you're in too deep

[beardstrokes]

Who: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker
Broadcast: No
Action: The Paisley
When: ONE WEEK LATER for drama

[ Trust your instincts is something Master Qui-Gon told him constantly. Obi-Wan used to have a bad habit of overthinking everything, so his Master would surprise him and catch him off-guard with questions Obi-Wan had no answer for. And yet, answers would come through the Force.

Right now, the Force is a little too calm. One would call that the calm before the storm, but Obi-Wan knew better.

He knocks on Anakin's door. ]

Anakin, it's me.

Comments

[beardstrokes]

Yes.

[ And that's all he's going to say, gj Obi-Wan. ]

It was the Clones. Apparently they had inactive programming to kill Jedi. It was activated. There's no way even the Jedi would stand up to that.

[ And how would they? It's trust that would get them killed. ]

[sandhate]

The Clones?

[ He can't believe. He thinks about Rex and he just can't believe. He shakes his head, as if to dislodge the idea that could ever happen.

He sees Palpatine, weak and asking for help; he sees the stoic Mace Windu in total shock and horror.

Grief hits him. He fears for his loved ones, even the ones he held at arms' length and those who held him the same in return.

Then he burns. His hands curls into fists and all he sees is red. ]

Dooku. It's him, isn't it. If we kill him, then this would never happen.

[beardstrokes]

[ Evenly. ] Perhaps. Dooku was involved with the Clones and Sifo-Dyas. Whether he executed the order or not . . . is debatable.

But I can assure you this. You will not be involved in this anymore. You made your decision, Anakin. I expect you to stick to it.

[sandhate]

[ Ignoring direct order, as per usual. He tries to be as even as Obi-Wan but he wavers, only briefly. ]

I want to know who is telling you this.

[beardstrokes]

That is not on the table. They prefer their anonymity and I will let them keep it. I trust them.

[ Even though Hera was the one to tell them, it was Kanan's existence that ultimately confirmed it for him. ]

And I will change the future if I can. But you have a different future to focus on. I want your promise, Anakin. I want it now.

[sandhate]

[ He's quiet for a significant amount of time this time. His voice almost cracks. It hurts to say the two words. Saying it will widen the inevitable gap between them by tenfold and he already feels the gap too much. ]

I promise.

[beardstrokes]

[ He studies him quietly for a few minutes before nodding. He folds his arms under his cloak. ]

May the Force be with you.

[ Nothing. Not even a quiver. ]

[sandhate]

[ A shout, between clenched teeth: ]

Leave.

[beardstrokes]

[ Obi-Wan bows his head before turning his back and closing the door behind him.

He has the sudden irresponsible urge to rescind everything. Foolish, really. He came to terms with it a while ago. To go back on everything now, when he knew too much, would not divert the future.

He felt no pain. He felt no sadness. He was Jedi.

Obi-Wan tilted his head up. The Force was oddly quiet. Perhaps, even in disapproval. ]

I'm sorry Master. I failed you.

[ Nothing. There was nothing. With that, he turns on his heel to leave.

He has plans to make. ]