hadthehighground | Duplicity IC Inbox

Blinking once as Luke drapes his cloak over him, Obi-Wan sighs a bit and pulls it around him too. “Thank you,” he says softly but gratefully.

Luke would know what this was like wouldn’t he? “Anakin would often get cold the first few years I was training him.” A fond note to his voice as he thought back on those good times.

Luke had adjusted quickly. Maybe because of his age at the time, not a child, nineteen and physically strong and healthy. "The shock probably helped in a way, made my system recalibrate itself."

“Ah. Well I suppose something good can come if it.” Though right now he’s just miserable and would like to be someplace warm. He had gotten a bit impatient with Anakin when he had the same struggle. Now he understood. But no matter how impatient he has been, he always relented and let the boy curl up next to him and put his cloak around him. Not unlike what Luke had done just now.

Except Obi-Wan's height makes it more difficult to walk and wrap him up at the same time. Still, they're not that far away now. "Will you be reaching out to Albert?"

“Of course. Though I imagine he must have moved on from me by now.”

Probably has another submissive and won’t need another. But who knows, maybe they could pick up where they left off.

"I think you disservice yourself and him with that." Luke gives Obi-Wan and slightly scolding look. "What you had was more than just convenience. Even if he has a contract, that doesn't mean he wouldn't welcome you back in his life."

He gets why Cal doesn't want to have their relationship touched at all by the city's contracts for a moment.

Taking a moment to think about that, Obi-Wan nods slowly. “I suppose you’re right.”

After all, if Jyn ever happened to return, then he would want her back in his life as well. He missed her terribly, and only had to move on because he was forced to. It would be the same for Albert.

Luke gives a smug little smile of "Told you so" and ushers Obi-Wan into the lobby of the apartment tower and towards the elevators.

Glad to be in the warmth of the building, Obi-Wan breathes a sigh of relief. Taking a look around, he realized everything was as he remembered it.

“It hasn’t been all that long, and yet…”

And yet it feels like longer when you've spent months on your own. Luke doesn't want to try and imagine. "We'll get upstairs and I'll get the kettle going. A hot drink will help."

"That would be wonderful," Obi-Wan says happily. "I hope you have tea."

Because right now he would enjoy a nice steaming cup of decent tea. He had still been trying to get his vaporator working properly back on Tatooine. And the water from it had been less than ideal.

"Of course I have tea." Even without Obi-Wan visiting, he does enjoy it himself and he's fairly sure Din drinks it on occasion.

“Oh good. You’re a real Jedi after all.” This said with humor as they make it to Luke’s door. Obi-Wan having warmed up enough at that point that he takes off Luke’s cloak and offers it back to him.

"Don't get too excited, I still like my caf. I just recognise there's a place for tea as well." He takes the cloak, opening the door and ushering Obi-Wan in.

Plus side. The helmet isn't here anymore! It's down at the house.

“As long as you recognize that, I won’t complain.” Obviously Obi-Wan prefers his tea, but he isn’t going to judge anyone for liking caf either.

As they step into the apartment, Obi-Wan again sighs in relief. Luke’s presence and the echoes of Din are comforting and makes him feel at home.

Politely removing his boots and cloak he takes a look around before sinking down on the sofa. It’s then he realizes how tired he is and he just takes a moment to relish the comfort.

Luke abandons his cloak and shoes in a pile and starts getting everything together. He stays quiet, hoping that if Obi-Wan is really tired and feels safe enough, he might doze and get some much needed sleep for a while.

But he doesn’t sleep. Not yet. What he does do is relax and retreat into his mind a little bit. Staring at the ceiling and comprehending his return to this place. Of what was expected of him, and how he would have to fit into life in this world all over again. At least it would be easier this time.

“I hope you and Din have kept out of any serious trouble while I’ve been gone,” he says eventually. Luke should know what he means. They city could be very demanding from time to time. It was easy for one to get in trouble if they didn’t keep a level head. His memories of such things slowly trickling back as he called upon them.

Luke gets the tea steeping and brings it all out on a tray, pot brewing, cups ready for pouring. "We've stayed out of trouble. Kept to our social circle, it helps minimise the problems, overall. Or so I've found so far."

“A good strategy, and one I use as well.”

Obi-Wan mostly kept to himself aside for the few friends he’s made. It kept things simpler, and he liked it that way. Though he was actually grateful to have any friends here at all. A stark difference from his existence on Tatooine and one he would have to readjust and settle into again.

But for now there is tea and he reaches out to take a cup. “Where is Din, anyway? I thought he was a homebody.”

"He's at work." Luke settles himself on the couch next to Obi-Wan. "He has a job at Red Emerald, he's there right now." Luke's glad he has a job to fill in the time. It's one of the hardest things here, for them both. Life is very... soft in many ways. "And I'm still working part time at Serenity Garage."

“Work? Well, good to know he’s keeping himself busy.” Though it may be obvious to Luke that he’s a bit disappointed. Obi-Wan had become a bit fond of the Mandalorian. But there would be time for them to catch up later. He was just as glad to be in Luke’s company as he would be Din’s, though he preferred both.

Pouring some tea for himself, he offers the same for Luke. “You both seem to have settled in quite well all things considered.”

"Oh, I get it, you came back here hoping to find sexy Mandalorian waiting." Luke grins and it is pure tease. "I guess so, yeah. It was easier for me than Din, still is, but we've found something like an equilibrium here."

That draws an instant blush from Obi-Wan and a clearing of his throat. “Yes, well, I think it’s been established that I have a thing for Mandalorians.” Whether it be armored ones or not.

“That’s good. I’ve found it’s easier to live here once you’ve found your niche and accept the way this culture works.” That didn’t mean he liked everything about it but trying to buck the system wasn’t productive.

"Very well established," Luke agrees with a laugh in his voice. "It's... hard. They have the right to their culture and most people seem content with it. I wouldn't seek to change it for the natives. It's the fact that they deliberately designed something to bring people here and then try and force all of their ways on people who never chose to be here, that's what I find hard to accept. But I realise that a violent armed overthrow is completely the wrong way to go about changing anything. Not least of all because they have tremendous power to counter what everyone here has, even if they only seem to employ it in the name of 'make people have sex'."

Obi-Wan’s expression softens as he listens to Luke. It was easy to see and feel how deeply the young man felt about being here. He couldn’t help but feel empathy, especially since he felt much the same way. The Jedi reaching out his hand to brush his fingers though Luke’s sandy locks.

“Perhaps it’s easier for me,” he said wistfully. “After all, you have so much more ahead of you.” Luke’s potential was largely wasted here, and it was a shame. The selfish part of him enjoyed having him here though, and never wanted him to leave.

“Most of those here can’t be blamed for our presence here. They clearly prefer that we weren’t. We are invaders to them just as we are victims of those who are responsible. Its fear that keeps this world from changing, and keeps us from being treated fairly.”

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject