hadthehighground | Empatheias IC Inbox

[Qui-Gon clearly wants to say something else, give something for Anakin to think about as he walks away.]

[But the younger man is already volatile, and anything else that Qui-Gon can add would only be pouring salt into a very open and confused wound. So he lets Anakin pass, stoicism keeping his features neutral and as if the (almost literal) blow up never occurred.]

[They could talk more once Anakin has calmed down... if he ever calms down.]

Edited 2017-05-05 14:00 (UTC)

[Obi-Wan meanwhile, has been sitting in his room. His head in his hands as he listened to everything going on outside the door. There was a moment that he worried for Qui-Gon's health, knowing full well what Anakin was capable of when angry.

But then his master manages to diffuse the situation. Of course, he should have had more faith in him. Enough at least that Anakin could walk away.

There was relief, but also grief. There was no holding back the mushrooms that started to dot the floor, and peek out from under his door.]

[He would be a hypocrite to barge into Obi-Wan's room after scolding Anakin for trying to do exactly the same, but the mushrooms poking out from under his former Padawan's door makes it tempting to do exactly that.]

[However, Obi-Wan doesn't need more stress, so Qui-Gon resorts to knocking and calling out in the same quiet tone he used with Anakin, laced more with concern than chastisement.]

Do you want to talk?

[There was a few moments of silence, but eventually the door clicked softly and opened slightly on its own. An invitation for his master to come in.

Obi-Wan having straightened himself up, but was looking distantly at nothing in particular. It wasn't until that Qui-Gon inevitable entered that he spoke.]

Where have I gone wrong, master?

[Qui-Gon doesn't need any more of an invitation as he steps into the room, careful not to crush any mushrooms underneath his feet as he does so.]

[As a mentor, Qui-Gon has been privileged in having his students open up to him to varying degrees. Obi-Wan, although with his own secrets, is far from the exception. Still, the blunt greeting is enough to keep Qui-Gon silent as he considers how best to respond. He doesn't take a seat, not yet, and stands with his arms crossed out of habit. He just doesn't have a robe with billowing sleeves to hide them in.]

You won't find any concrete answer to that question, Obi-Wan.

There are too many variables to consider, including the fact that it is entirely possible you've done nothing inherently wrong.

[Heaving a deep sigh, Obi-Wan looked down again. While having expected such an answer, it still didn't really satisfy him. Maybe if there was something he knew he'd done wrong, it would make him feel better. Something he could fix.

Not having that answer left him feeling helpless.]

I don't know that I can keep doing this.

[Mr. IWantToDoThisMyself had limits, and those limits were being reached. The past month had been perhaps the hardest he's had here yet, and it was taking its toll on him.]

[Seeing his protégé so downtrodden sends a pang through Qui-Gon's heart, but he holds it at bay. Obi-Wan doesn't need pity or sympathy, but support.]

This cycle is going to continue until Anakin understands his selfishness is the root cause of nearly every conflict he's come across thus far.

He needs to realize that an apology is no longer enough and that real change needs to occur, lest he alienate any friends he has left.

[Qui-Gon sighs, and then runs his hand through his hair as it hangs loose and free from the way he usually ties it up.]

It isn't fair for you to constantly bear the brunt of his emotional backlash. Would you consider a period of separation from him?

[Considering Qui-Gon's words silently, Obi-Wan then slowly nodded.]

If he hasn't initiated it already.

[He made it quite clear that he didn't need him. But a separation would be more than not living under the same roof. And at this point, he needed it.]

Luke left behind a farm. I will go there.

[That way if Anakin did come back to this house, there wouldn't be a problem.]

[Qui-Gon sighs and leans his massive frame against a wall.]

Are you that's what you want to do? Your home is here, Obi-Wan.

[Implied: Obi-Wan's family is all here under this one roof.]

I think it would be best, yes.

[It was easy to see his master's concern and he gave a weak smile.]

It's peaceful there, and I have been wanting to do more work on it anyway.

As long as you are sure.

[This is Obi-Wan's choice--one that he's making at Qui-Gon's suggestion, at that. It wouldn't benefit anyone for Qui-Gon to protest further.]

[So he sighs again, lifts himself away from the wall, and walks the short distance it takes for him to stand in front of his former Padawan. As he towers over Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon places a warm hand on his shoulder and gives it a squeeze. It's a sign of reassurance--that Qui-Gon will support Obi-Wan's decision--but also a means for him to gently approach the next topic.]

Could I ask what sparked this particular fight?

[Beggars can't be choosers right?

With the hand on his shoulder, Obi-Wan inclined his gaze. It almost felt strange to not feel a Padawan's braid behind his ear at that moment.

Qui-Gon's support was the most valuable thing to him right now. But the question drew a light sigh.]

The lightsabers. Anakin knows there's duplicates of his here. He was asking about them.

[Qui-Gon nods before slowly pulling his hand away. Otherwise, he doesn't move, staying close to Obi-Wan in a show of solidarity.]

[He looks so much younger than he is, with the way he's glancing up. Behind the beard and the faint tinges of gray starting to pop up in Obi-Wan's hair, Qui-Gon can still see his young, earnest Padawan.]

He'd mentioned wanting his lightsaber so he could leave.

But I feel there is a much more complex story involving him uncovering the duplicates.

[Older and more experienced, but there is still certainly glimmers of that boy Qui-Gon knew.]

And you would be right.

[Of course.]

I don't know how well you knew Finn, but he had one of the lightsabers. When he left, it was left behind. Poe Dameron then saw it fit to give it to Kylo Ren.

[Obi-Wan heaved a sigh, the subject was still an agitating one.]

Rightfully it should have gone to Rey, and she was upset, naturally. I spoke to Ren but was unable to retrieve it. Rey then planned to get it herself, I disagreed and Anakin walked in on our conversation which resulted in an argument.

He waited till now to confront me about the issue again.

[Qui-Gon's brow furrows when he hears that Poe gave away the lightsaber to Kylo Ren of all people, but he says nothing more, opting to listen to the rest of what Obi-Wan has to say instead.]

[The entire situation sounds like mayhem, and Qui-Gon's lips press into a thin line at the end of the explanation.]

For what it is worth, I agree that Rey is the rightful owner of the lightsaber. I've seen her fight with it, and it's clear the crystal inside resonates with her.

As for Anakin, I see where his frustrations are coming from, but I've already had a conversation with him about allowing his emotions to overturn his judgment. There was a mutual understanding that he would work on it.

[It was also when Qui-Gon allowed himself to be at his most vulnerable, retelling the story about Tahl's death to the younger man in an attempt to commiserate over the strength of emotion and the power of the Dark Side's call. Seeing Anakin now, and hearing about how he'd fallen straight back into old habits...]

[...it felt like a waste. And another betrayal.]

I will speak with him again, but he seems determined to continue with his self-destructive narrative.

Well, even that is complicated. If it were one lightsaber, and only one person here who had possessed it, certainly. I don't know the details of her time, but it is originally Anakin's.

[Rising from where he sat, he went to that pink crystal chest. Opening to reveal several lightsabers inside. Four of which that looked exactly the same, because they were.]

I believe there's six in all at this moment. Rey already has one. I've been holding onto the others for safe keeping.

Which I have or will do with each of them for about twenty years following my battle with Anakin.

[So you see Qui-Gon, this is a bit of a mess.]

[While the amount of lightsabers does seem excessive, the way timelines seem to criss-cross and loop around themselves makes it so Qui-Gon isn't exactly surprised. It took a lot to do that even before his time here in Empatheias.]

The complication of the issue still doesn't excuse Anakin's behavior or how he's treated you.

That is true.

[Obi-Wan agreed quietly as he shut the chest again. Closing his eyes briefly as he used Dunamis to lock it again. He then stood up and frowned lightly.]

I'm afraid there's nothing I can say to change that.

If you cannot, then perhaps I can.

[Qui-Gon crosses his arms again, defiant against the lot that Anakin has drawn for him and Obi-Wan. He doesn't want things to escalate further, but if Anakin is going to be rehabilitated, then this next step may be what will work.]

[If not... then even more drastic action will have to be taken.]

[Sighing softly, Obi-Wan nodded his agreement. Perhaps a somewhat outside source needed to intervene. After all, rebellious children were less likely to listen to their parents no matter what they said. The same could be said of Anakin.]

He did seem to respond to you better.

"Seem" is the key word.

[Qui-Gon shuffles so he can adjust his stance.]

I don't know what kind of impact I'll have on Anakin, but if there is a chance to help, then I will do what I can.

... Thank you, Master.

[His voice was that of a man that was tired and nearly broken.]

If I may, I believe I need to meditate for the rest of the evening.

Of course. I'll leave you to retire.

[Qui-Gon begins to make his way out of the room, but stops in front of Obi-Wan once more. He reaches out again to squeeze his shoulder and lock eyes.]

I will always be here for you, Obi-Wan. Never forget that.

[Obi-Wan watched him go, but then blinked once as he came back and placed that hand in his shoulder again. A soft smile coming to his face at the reassurance. Placing his own hand on Qui-Gon's.]

Yes, master. ... I know.

[Here and back in their galaxy, he knew he was there. And it was the greatest comfort he had.]

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