hadthehighground | Empatheias IC Inbox

[Rey watches the hairbrush float off the counter and follows it with her eyes back to his hand, and when he gestures at the room she glances in that direction too. It doesn't take long to figure out what Obi-Wan means--she's poorly socialized, not stupid--but she hesitates for a good couple of seconds nonetheless.

With almost anyone else, she'd refuse. Come up with an excuse and escape. Avoid closeness with another person the way she usually does. But this is Obi-Wan. Other than Finn, he's the closest thing to family she has on this planet. If she can trust anyone, it's Obi-Wan.

Rey paws a bit a her hair self-conscious as she slinks into the sitting room, shoulders scrunched like a scolded puppy.] It's not that bad, is it?

[Obi-Wan is already walking into the next room when Rey poses her question. He hesitates a moment and then sits down, patting the place next to him]

Have a seat.

[Sorry Rey, it's pretty bad.]

Do you know how to braid?

[The Jedi is well aware what her usual style is. But it's obviously not working well for her hats and she's had to improvise. Which he understands, but perhaps he can help her improvise a little better.]

[Rey sits where he directed, still looking sheepish. She knows what it means that he didn't say no, and she knows it must be awfully bad for Obi-Wan to speak up about it, considering how tolerant the Jedi is of her habits. She can only imagine what Kylo would've said about it, as rude as he is.

She shakes her head at Obi-Wan's question, the motion short and quick like she's ashamed to give it even though she's certain she has good reason. Why would she know? Who would teach her? Rey knows Obi-Wan has no intention of being cruel, but every time someone asks her a question like that, she can't help feeling mocked for the things she's never had.]

Not many creatures on Jakku with hair.

[ Has he been avoiding to contact his former master after what has happened? Well... Maybe. A little bit.

Though even now Anakin is only contacting him with some reluctance. ]

...Obi-Wan...?

[ And, yes. That's all. ]

[Obi-Wan himself has been quiet since the whole ordeal. He had been considering contacting Anakin himself, but he's certainly surprised that his former apprentice beat him to it. There is a mix of emotions and he hesitates a moment, carefully toning down his feelings as he answers.]

Anakin? Are you all right?

[ There's a pause on Anakin's end in response. A pause filled by a mental sigh because after everything that happened Obi-Wan would....

But of course he would. It's never been any other way.

And in a way this odd normalcy comes as too much of a surprise as for Anakin not to smirk at least a little bit.

The mental sigh carries through the amulet, but there's a hint of amusement accompanying it. ]

Shouldn't I be the one asking that?

[There's a small smile on Obi-Wan's end as Anakin is the one to sigh this time. Picking up on that amusement as well.]

I've been worried. I think I'm entitled to ask.

To answer you though, I'm out of the hospital and being monitored very carefully, I assure you.

You should know better than to worry about me, master.

[ Yes, he just said that....

The hint of amusement faded from Anakin's thoughts at Obi-Wan's message, however. Obi-Wan was still being monitored due to what Anakin had done to him. The thought made his guts twist into a tight knot. ]

I... I'm sorry for what happened.

[ A pause. ]

...and for taking my lightsaber back without permission.

[Now its Obi-Wan's turn to sigh. More like he knows better than not to worry about his former apprentice.]

You were not entirely in control of yourself, I know that. This world has that affect on people.

[At the mention of the lightsaber though, there's a bit of disappointment filtering through the connection.]

I wish you hadn't. But what's done is done.

[ The clear disappointment burns the most. ]

I know. And I'm sorry. I- I panicked and thought-- I don't even know anymore what I though.

[ There were just too many things struggling for space in his head all at once. Right now there's only guilt and shame coming through rather clearly. ]

I'll return it to you.

Just allow me to finish a few more jobs so I can pay for my place and food. The jobs that will cover me for a few weeks tend to be difficult without a weapon.

[There was silence for a few moments. This was the part where Obi-Wan could lecture him. Even insist that he bring back the lightsaber immediately. But he didn't. This was a lesson that Anakin needed to learn on his own.]

Come find me when you're ready.

[ The thing is, he would have returned the weapon right away had Obi-Wan insisted. Even if he'd rather kill a beast with a quick, clean strike than having to slowly choke it to death if he ended up having to hunt down something. For now he's rather planning to wreck some machines for money.

So the response gives him a little relief. ]

Thank you, master.

[ And again, he pauses, and a faint, yet cold fear carries his next words. ]

Obi-Wan... I... I have seen Vader...

[Theres a warm reassurance on Obi-Wan's end. He wasn't going to condemn Anakin for something he had little control of. If anything, this was a small show of trust that Anakin would keep his word.

However, the next words were unexpected and gripped the Jedi in worry. More than able to feel Anakin's fear.]

... What do you mean?

Darth Vader...

[ He swallows hard, causing a pause in his message. ]

During the Selenium festivities. He appeared in front of Galen... Just like Mace Windu appeared to me.

[ And as much as Anakin likes to hide his fear outwardly, his thoughts and the emotions tied to the memory make it crystal clear that he's afraid of what he's seen, heard, witnessed. He manages to pull himself together long enough to recall the memory of that meeting, sending Obi-Wan a mental image of that dark, looming figure in black armor. And a sound. The steady noise of a harsh respirator. A noise that has been haunting him ever since that evening.

He's had more than one nervous breakdown since then, and Obi-Wan may pick up on his former padawan's spiking fear. ]

Please... Don't let me become that!

[ Right. He's begging now.

Because he now understands Ezra's fear. The fear of those hailing from that dark future. The worry and wariness and even the hate he is being met with. ]

[So that was it. Anakin had been there at Selenium, and just like he had, had faced his worst fears and emotions. And had witnessed that of others, of a spirit taking the form of his future self. Which is only confirmed in the images that Anakin sends him of his memories.]

Anakin....

[There's pity, and grief. Obi-Wan has seen a visage of Darth Vader before, from Luke's own memories. Of the terrifying creature he becomes that's half machine.]

I swear to you, I will do everything in my power. I failed you once, and I will not let it happen again. However, this is also a choice you have to make. In the end, I can only do so much.

[It pained him to say it, but it was true. If Anakin turned to the dark side of his own choosing, there was little he could do to stop him. Still that didn't stop the grief and guilt from seeping through.

I know... I know.

[ He knows that he chose this, and that's the worst part. ]

You didn't fail me, master. I just... I was certain I was doing the right thing. I believed all that I was being told when I shouldn't have.

I doubted you.

[ Of all the beings in the galaxy... ]

I should have seen it coming. I should have protected you.

[If only he could have done more. But it was too late. Or at least, back home it was.]

And I'm sorry... for being so hard on you. I should have told you sooner how much I cared.

[He is a man with many regrets. Anakin may have doubted him, but that wasn't without cause.]

[ This is painful to hear as well as feel. The regret carrying through the amulet as well as the Force. It's so unlike Obi-Wan to admit a fault. Not that he often has anything to admit, but in the rare cases that he has, the Jedi Master can be decidedly stubborn.

Safe for now. ]

We're still good as long as we're here, right?

[If anything that should tell Anakin how serious his future is and how deeply it has impacted his master. But yes he is stubborn. Stubbornly in sad remorse.]

Yes, I believe so. Relatively anyway. Of course any one of us can disappear at a moment's notice.

Don't disappear on me, Master.

[ The request is an earnest and simple one. ]

And I'll invite you to dinner once I can afford it.

I will try not to.

[Of course he couldn't make promises for things that were beyond his control. He didn't want Anakin to disappear again either.

At the mention of dinner Obi-Wan winced a little. As much as he loves you Anakin, your cooking is less than ideal.]

How about a compromise. I will come and cook for you.

[ Okay, he actually chuckles a little at that. He can totally read you without even seeing you, Obi-Wan. ]

Oh, no. I didn't plan to cook myself. More like... Treating you to dinner somewhere. You know, just... Something nice for once. You already made enough food for me.

[ There won't be any bugs involved, promise! ]

Oh, good. For a moment I was deeply concerned for my palate.

[A little teasing jab. Anakin and he had joked about his cooking on a trip they took to the mountains before he had disappeared.]

In that case, I will gladly accept your invitation.

You know, one day I will cook for you.

And you will eat it.

And like it.

I will always support you and your aspirations, my friend.

However lofty they may be.

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