#but the closest thing to my knowledge that Ahsoka has had to a padawan would be ezra himself and maybe luke/leia | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

justkirethings · 3 years

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INTRODUCE YOURSELF

01 – What's your name? Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

02 – Are you male or female? Male.

03 – What age are you? 35.

04 – Describe yourself. I suppose I’m a little over average height for a human male. Some would say that my hair is red, but it’s more of a reddish-brown regardless of what any handmaidens may say. My eyes are blue. Just blue. I’ve got a beard, same color as my hair.

05 – What do you do for a living? Jedi Master and General of the Grand Army of the Republic.

06 – Choose five words that describe your personality. Oh, dear. Well, average? Sort of intelligent. Kind. Patient. Witty.

INTRODUCE YOUR SUBJECT

07 – What is their name? Kiré Tolod.

08 - How do you know them? She’s a… friend. She’s a handmaiden to Senator Amidala, who I have known for many years now.

09 – Describe them in three sentences. Miss Tolod is very compassionate and protective of those she cares about. Well, even total strangers as the case may very well be sometimes. She is loud and brash, but also, somehow, incredibly soft and warm. She’s intelligent and clever and witty and also one of the most reckless and brave individuals I have ever met.

PHYSICAL TRAITS

10 – Are they male or female? Female.

11 – How old are they? 20 years old.

12 - Describe them. She’s definitely rather petite. Barely shorter than Senator Amidala. She has long hair, usually plaited in golden braids down her back, unless she’s just taken whatever elaborate hairstyle down and then golden curls or waves. She has striking violet eyes and a small, heart-shaped face.

13 – Do they have any distinguishing features; scars or tattoos? No, a few freckles across her cheeks, but nothing more than that.

14 – Are they fit; Athletic. Do they do any sports? She’s slim, however, not exactly athletically built. To the best of my knowledge, the closest she gets to any kind of sports activities is sparring on occasion with Dormé, a fellow handmaiden, to upkeep her abilities.

15 – What about Illnesses, War Wounds or Physical Disabilities? None.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

16 - What would you say is their best ability? She is an excellent artist and, to the best of my limited knowledge on fashion and style, very skilled at the art of designing outfits for Senator Amidala.

17 - What do they think their best ability is? Is her own appearance a viable answer? Oh, or, ehm, more delicate—intimate—abilities, if you happened to ask her, I suppose.

18 - What else are they good at? Cooking, hair styling, makeup looks, witty comebacks, flirting, rivaling Anakin with foolish and reckless ideas, convincing others to do whatever she might want them to do.

19 - What are they not good at? Making plans? I’m not entirely sure, give me a moment… Walking without tripping over air most times? Oh, holding her temper back, I suppose. Unless she is in her handmaiden mindset, I suppose.

20 - Do they have any artistic talent? From what I have seen, far more than most, I must say.

21 - What about Musical Ability? She can play at least one instrument, I believe.

22 - Are they good at a particular sport? To the best of my knowledge, no. Although, I am also not too familiar with any particular type of sport native to Naboo, I must say.

23 - What about combat; can they fight? Yes, she is quite skilled at combat. I would certainly hate to be on the receiving end of one of her blows, at least.

24 - Do they have any... powers or abilities you would describe as supernatural or superhuman? I’ve started to believe that she might be the tiniest bit Force-sensitive, but I could be mistaken.

PERSONALITY AND INTERESTS

25 - If you had to choose one word to describe their personality; what would it be? Oh dear. Compassionate, I suppose?

26 - Can you expand on that? She would help anyone who needed assistance. Actually, that’s how she came to serve Senator Amidala. A man was harassing one of the Senator’s other handmaidens, a girl she didn’t previously know, and Kir— Miss Tolod broke the man’s fingers for not taking “no” as an answer. She is brave and has no fear that I have ever seen, so she would do whatever it took to help out anyone in distress who needed her help.

27 - What do you like best about them? Her kindness and warmth.

28 - What personality trait or behaviour particularly gets on your nerves? Her compassionate nature combined with her bravery tends to make her rather reckless. She tends to get herself into trouble more often than not.

29 - Are they sociable; do they mix well with others? She tends to be the life of the party, from what I have heard about her in social interactions.

30 - Do they dress well? Are they Fashionable? Quite fashionable. She prides herself on it, actually. And she always looks nice, though I must say I know very little about fashion.

31 - What would you say is important to them? Approval from those she cares about. She would never admit that, though, I must say.

32 - Do you know of any deep, dark secrets they keep buried? I—I suppose, but I very well will not be sharing any of those at the moment. They’re hardly mine to tell.

33 - Would you want them as an enemy; What sort of enemy would they make? I cannot imagine she would make a very pleasant enemy. She is determined in anything she does, so I am most certain she would be just as determined were we on opposing sides.

YOUR RELATIONSHIP

34 - How did you first meet? Me and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, with his then-new Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano, had just returned from a mission. Senator Amidala was kind enough to invite us over for a meal and she was there.

35 - Are you friends? Yes, of course. Miss Tolod likes to say that we are best friends, and I would hardly disagree with her. I’ve grown fond of her companionship.

36 - Are you rivals? Absolutely not. We may bicker, quite often, if I might add, but we are friends, first and foremost.

37 - Are you Lovers? I— Of course not.

38 - Do you love them? ………As a friend.

39 - Do they love you? She likes to claim that she does.

40 - Who, if anyone, do you think they are in love with? She claims that the only person she is in love with is me.

41 - Are they currently in a relationship? I tend not to pry into her personal life. I believe Anakin has mentioned a secret lover, but it is certainly none of my business to press the issue on her.

42 - Do you like them? Of course I do. We’re friends.

43 - Do they like you? I would like to think so.

44 – How do you think they feel about children? She is definitely rather fond of children, from my experience. On one occasion to the Jedi Temple, her guide, Ahsoka, abandoned her and so I offered to let her accompany me on my way to the crèche. The younglings were immediately taken with her, as she was with them.

45 - What about their family? Her family is……a far more complicated issue that I would feel far more comfortable asking her to explain, in her own words, rather than me discussing personal information that I have no business being involved in.

46 – And finally. If you could change one thing about them, what would it be? Nothing. If a single aspect of Miss Tolod was changed, any number of factors could also be altered and that would not be a risk I would be willing to take.

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These questions are absolutely not mine, I take no credit for them, I found them on a list of OC questions with a link to deviantart (so credit to the original poster) BUT I just wanted to do this honestly. I had fun answering all of them.

@shenanigans-and-imagines THERE they’re posted!!!!!!!!! 💜💜💜

#star wars prequels oc #Star Wars oc #Star Wars #Obi-Wan Kenobi #obi wan kenobi x oc #Obi-Wan #my oc #oc questions

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mangobilorian · 4 years

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Crash Landing | (mature) i

Pairing: Captain Rex x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Words: 5352

Summary: This was supposed to be a diplomatic mission between two peaceful neighbors to ensure that the Separatists wouldn’t invade your planets. And as the princess of your nation, you were expected to uphold proper decorum and exercise exact protocol at all times. So why were you laying on the jungle floor, stripped down to your under layers, curled next to a clone captain keeping watch of your tiny cave, miles away from the capital where negotiations were to be held?

White. White and blue. Those are the only colors at the forefront of your vision, aside from the black of the guns. In a stiff formation behind a robed man, are these… troops. Clones, you believe. All centered around the famed Anakin Skywalker. It has been quite a while since a Jedi or any outside military force graced your planet, much less your nation. But the creeping threat of Separatist forces would soon crash on your shores. And your nation, though prosperous, would not survive a Separatist attack without help.

“Greetings, princess. We’re here to escort you on a diplomatic mission to Theatis 06. I am Anakin Skywalker and this,” he points at a man who steps up beside the Jedi, “is Captain Rex.” The clone--Captain Rex-- salutes.

“We’ll protect you from any threat, princess. You can count on us.” You smile at the helmented man, bowing your head in return.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance. Accompanying me are my handmaidens and private guards.” Next to you, three girls in modest garb bend at the waist, and two armed men also bow. “Shall we start our journey?” The Jedi nods and directs his men to board the ship. The Captain, however, positions himself to flank you. He walks with practiced precision, his gait calculated like a routine.

Before boarding the ship, you turn to wave at the people who came to see you off. Your parents weren’t there, but that was to be expected. While your mother had gone to Coruscant and you were sent to Theatis 06, your father had to stay and rule the country. The only people that came were the senator and select members of the upper and lower chambers of Congress. They wave back. These people were vultures, their smiles hiding something evil. It would be a relief to leave their grip, so you could finally breathe without faking amity or hiding disdain. One slip up on your part, and these politicians would feast on the royal family. But politics was never your strong suit, and being the princess was tiring enough. A gentle hand on your elbow interrupts your thoughts when you realize with a jolt that you hadn’t moved.

“Sorry, your highness. We have a tight schedule,” the captain says. Your face warms at the contact while your handmaidens’ eyes widen with something akin to fear and curiosity. The guards even assume a protective stance briefly before understanding that you were not threatened. They loosen their arms after you dismiss them with a nod. However, the captain doesn’t seem to notice the intricacy of the situation.

“I… it’s alright, Captain.” You forge ahead, not minding the shocked girls, their faces quickly smoothing over to appear as disinterested as before. Thankfully, the makeup that caked your face hid the creeping blush on your cheeks.

The ship was gray and overall uninteresting. It was your first time on a Republic ship, and the whole ordeal seemed a little too excessive. Why would anyone attack a peaceful meeting between neighboring planets? A simple military convoy was enough, but sending a Jedi seemed a tad too much.

“Princess! Oh, it’s so nice to meet you.” Bounding to your side is an over-eager Togruta. Unable to contain her excitement, she bounces on the balls of her feet. “I’m Ahsoka Tano. I’m Master Skywalker’s padawan. I’ve never met a princess before!” The girl beams up at you. Amazing. Not just one but two Jedi. What was the Council thinking?

“Nice to meet you too, Ahsoka Tano. Yes, I’m a princess, but it’s really nothing special. I’m just a human.” You let out a small, graceful smile. Softened eyes, relaxed posture, eyebrows curved upwards. The facade of a princess. A face to exude warmth and comfort to subjects and allies.

“You’re so cool! What’s it like? Do you have to marry a prince?” Ahsoka sits down on a chair next to you, and you settle yourself into the stiff metal chair as well. In the corner of your eye, the captain stands, watching.

“Sometimes. You see, there aren’t many princes to choose from, so my parents pick someone worthy of ruling. In my country, the royal family is more than just a symbol. We have to be trained in politics, government, and military strategy,” you explain. “So marrying for lineage alone doesn’t cut it. One doesn’t have to be born a prince or princess to marry into the royal family. But royalty is quite tiring. Sometimes, I wish I had a break,” you chuckle. Startled, the handmaidens stare at you. Showing anything but happiness at your duty and family was definitely out of protocol. But who was here to enforce it? Certainly not the scheming congressmen. Besides, the young Jedi seems innocently curious.

“Wow… that sounds complicated. So... military strategy huh? Ever led a battle or maybe fought in one? I know quite a lot about fighting in battles, you know. I could take out battle droids with my eyes closed. And, as commander of the 501st, I’ve led a few missions myself,” she smirks, proud of her achievements. As she should be, you muse. The girl is young and already so confident in war. A sad reality.

“Alright, snips. Quit bragging,” Skywalker says, entering your section of the ship. “We’ll be there in an hour, princess.” He turns to leave for the cockpit, but the girl simply rolls her eyes and sticks out a tongue at her master’s back to which he replies in a similar fashion. The interaction causes a laugh to bubble past your lips. At this point, you feel that you’re handmaidens might be on the verge of fainting from all your breaks in protocol.

“That is very impressive, Miss Tano. War is a very hard thing. I personally have not led any military initiatives. My nation is a peaceful one, and I plan to maintain that peace. An official alliance with the prime minister of Theatis 06 would determine whether or not we can survive an impending Separatist invasion.” The girl nods in thought. She looks around, at your handmaidens, guards, and you. Probably analyzing the foreign clothes, the jewelry, the manner you and your people hold yourself. In a galaxy so vast, many cultures had nuances to everything. As her eyes wander, you eye the captain instead.

He’s standing tall and stiff. All the men had their helmets on, which unnerved you. Their eyes could be anywhere, looking at anyone. They were uniform in their blue and white, but the differences were also striking. While the captain had a pauldron, the others did not. The variances in paint differentiated one man from another. You knew that, as clones, they were supposed to look identical. But you had never seen a clone’s face before.

“Princess, is there something wrong?” You shake your head, not realizing that you had been staring at the captain. Maker, this was so embarrassing. You clear your throat before responding.

“No, captain. I was just… admiring your armor.” The man clearly wasn’t expecting your answer because he almost loses his balance. He coughs, almost shyly.

“Oh. Well, princess, there’s not much to admire. It’s just paint on plastoid.” He rubs the back of his neck with a hand, stance already loosened. The other clones glance at their captain before relaxing themselves.

“Nonsense. If you don’t mind, I’d be grateful to know what your paint signifies.” The handmaiden closest to you gasps. She tries to muffle it, but you catch it in time. Next to you, Ahsoka grins at the captain, unspoken words between them.

“Yeah, Rex. Tell us about your armor,” she teases. He sighs but obeys.

“These,” he points to the top of his helmet, “are jaig eyes. They’re a symbol of honor among Mandalorians. The pauldron is just a sign of rank. And the blue shows that I’m part of the 501st.” Hmm… Mandalorian symbol of honor, huh.

“So you’re a Mandalorian?” He shakes his head.

“Not really, your highness. Our template, Jango Fett, was a Mandalorian, and we know some basic Mando’a. But… we’re not born on Mandalore. Kamino is the closest thing to home.” His voice tapers off, probably due to some deeper feeling with Kamino, but you’re not certain. You’ve heard of the watery planet but never put much substantial thought to it, much like your knowledge about the clone army.

“I see. Thank you, captain, for sharing with me and my entourage. If you don’t mind, I’ll review the terms I’ll discuss with the congress of Theatis 06.” You pull out a datapad, glancing over at the information. By your side, Ahsoka seems to debate staying or leaving. Eventually, she stands up and heads for the cockpit, no doubt wanting to bother her master. The datapad is light in your hands, but the content is heavy. Piles and piles of documents condensed in one small piece of technology. Documents which, if used correctly, would earn you a formal military alliance with Theatis 06. If you lost the datapad, you’re sure that your parents and Congress would personally wring your neck.

The handmaidens relax beside you, finally relieved. This is what good princesses do, you mutter in your head. They focus on their task and don’t break silly rules. Rules set to protect your throne and reputation but silly nonetheless.

The silence and cold of space is not foreign to you, but it’s not common either. You rarely leave your planet, much less your system. Maybe once or twice a cycle, you go off-world for diplomacy or recreation. When you do leave, it’s always the same place. If it’s not Coruscant, it’s Naboo. If not either of those planets, it’s Yidone, Theatis 04, or Theatis 06. On its own, none of those planets were boring. But it gets tiring quickly, especially as a princess. However, that’s probably the spoiled, privileged part of you complaining. Your life of comfort is unimaginable to that of the impoverished people in your nation, the ones being sold into the disgusting sex trade, or those who suffer under an infinite number of tragedies. All of their lives, already horrible, would be even more wrecked under Separatist forces. So you push on with your boredom and complaining. For the sake of your people.

Just as you put your datapad down, a loud crash hammers the right side of the ship. Gasping, you grip the handles of the chair to stabilize, but your handmaidens aren’t so lucky. All three of them are flung from their seats and onto the floor, struggling to stand up. Your guards try to reach you, but they too are knocked off their feet.

“What is going on, captain?” You ask, almost frantically, at the approaching clone. On unsteady feet, he eventually stands in front of you, bracing himself. In this position, you won’t be forced out your chair with the clone acting as a barrier.

“Not sure, your highness. Doesn’t sound too good, though.” Another crash, this time from the top of the ship, further unbalances you. Your body surges forward, but the captain latches onto your forearms, pulling them into his chest. His chest plate digs into your arms, but at least you’re not sprawled on the floor like your companions.

A voice crackles from the captain’s comm. “Rex? Get the princess into an escape pod. A Separatist ship is firing at us. Hurry,” urges Skywalker.

“But, sir, what about you and Ahsoka? Wouldn’t a Jedi protect her better?” A second passes before a response.

“We don’t have time for this, Rex. Look, we’ll meet you down there after we settle this seppie ship. Get your ass to an escape pod, and bring the princess with you,” orders the Jedi.

“Yes, General.” The captain hauls you out your seat, an arm snaking around to grip your waist. In any other situation, you’d be blushing furiously, but only fear resides in your chest. Why was a Separatist ship already here?

The captain leads you down multiple hallways, weaving in out of the ship’s interior. All around you, other clones flit about, readying their positions for battle. In a relatively quiet area, the captain pushes a button open to reveal an escape pod. He quickly positions you inside before taking his own place. He settles in, and the both of you are launched into space without a second to spare.

As you calm your breathing, you begin to feel the tension in your muscles. The pod was obviously made for one person, as indicated by how small you had to curl yourself to allow for the captain to squeeze in. Knees pulled tight to your chest, there is still barely any space. The heavy jewelry adorning your neck only makes you tense up further. Stars, it’s getting hard to breathe. Next to the captain is a black bag, and you wonder how he had the time to grab it. You certainly didn’t remember him bringing it.

But if you two were stuck in the pod with a sole bag… that meant your clothes and, most importantly, your datapad was left behind. You didn’t even have a comm to contact your handmaidens and guards. The pain at the forefront of your head continues to build at the thought. No food, no contact, and no documents.

“Are you alright, princess?” You shake your head, trying to clear up your daze. His helmet is turned towards you, those blue jaig eyes staring.

“I think so. Why… how did the Separatists attack us?” The captain sighs, the breathy noise filtered out of his helmet.

“To be honest, it might be because they got intel about Republic ships coming to escort you. They probably realized that your planet would ally against them, and that didn’t sit well,” he considers. His hands are at the controls, expertly maneuvering them further away from the larger ship. Outside, you can see continuous beams of light aimed at the side of the craft, further jostling it. You hope everyone is okay. Especially your entourage and the excitable Togruta padawan. However, knowing the reputation of Jedi, Ahsoka and Skywalker will definitely survive the attack. You left your people in good hands.

“Captain,” you start, “this was supposed to be a diplomatic voyage. And yet, the Republic sends two Jedi and a legion of highly-skilled clone troopers. Did the Council know that something was going to happen to me? Granted, I am thankful for the extra security, but it seems excessive, does it not? And speak candidly. It’s only us two.” You shift slightly to angle your body to face him, tucking your knees under yourself. He doesn’t respond immediately, opting instead to stare out at the approaching planet of Theatis 06.

“I’m not authorized to say too much, and frankly, I don’t why we were sent either. So many other planets could use our help to directly fight off the seppies. Yet… here we are,” he sighs. “But I promise to keep you safe no matter what. As for your people on the ship, they will be taken good care of. Don't worry, princess.” The crackle of the comm drives your attention to the console.

“Rex? Are you and the princess alright?” Ahsoka’s voice carries over, clear concern lacing her tone. Somewhere behind her, Skywalker’s commands ring out, ordering the men to keep order.

“We’re okay, commander. How is the situation over there?” The sounds of grunts and chaos pass through the comm before she speaks again.

“We’re--ugh-- fine, Rex. Just. Trying. To--kriff--stabilize this ship. See you on-”

Before the captain could respond, a loud crash sends your small pod hurtling in circles.

The momentum dizzies you, and you blindly reach out for something to grab on. Your hands tightly grip the closest thing, the captain’s arm, while the pod continues to spin. In this moment, his plastoid-covered arm and the floor below were the only solid things that existed. In front of you, the captain curses, trying to stabilize the craft to no avail.

The black color of space mixes with the blue and green of Theatis 06, circles and swirls of light and flashes. A heavy feeling of bile threatens to climb out your throat, but you push it down.

“Brace for impact,” orders the captain, and he moves away from the pod’s controls. Quickly, he encases you in his arms, one hand tucked behind your head, pulling you close to his chest. In a moment of clarity, you wrap your arms around his torso just as his free hand grabs the nearby bag and holds it behind you. He successfully entangles the two of you, making you as compact as possible. You shiver at the excessive contact. It’s been so long since you had prolonged touches with someone, much less a hug for survival. Overhead, a beeping noise indicates an oncoming collision.

You feel it before you realize. As your pod enters the atmosphere, it spirals further out of control at even faster speed. In space, it was merely uncontrollable loops. But as you crash into Theatis 06, the air pressure forces your small spacecraft to act as a bullet. There was no way you were going to survive the crash.

You close your eyes, taking a deep breath. Already, you’re praying to the Maker and to the Force or whatever higher power exists that you and the captain will survive. You just wish you could see your parents and country one last time. You hope that-

The sound of rustled tree tops interrupts your thoughts, jostling the two of you. As you peer up at the captain's helmet, the pod hits the ground, the impact shaking you to your very core. And everything goes black.

*****

It’s beautiful. The ocean waves pull up against the shore before receding back, its foamy crest creating shapes of all sizes. On the horizon, the three moons of your planet begin rising, the deep hues of red and purple illuminating the water. Next to you is someone in a full suit of armor. Mostly white with blue paint marking it. Behind him is a robed person. They take off the hood, revealing themselves. But they don’t have one face. Like a slideshow, the faces of politicians, your handmaidens, yourself , melt together. The person raises their hand, and the barrel of a blaster is pointed right at you and--

You sit up, gasping. The air in your throat is dry: suffocating and scratchy. You try to pry off your necklaces to alleviate the pain to no avail.

It was just a dream. A wonderful dream at the start but… it devolved to something much sinister. You crack your neck, stretching your arms out only to hit something hard. And that something groans . Immediately, you open your eyes to see a passed out Captain Rex laying next to you.

Slowly, pieces of your voyage and subsequent crash come together in your mind, and you realize that you probably landed on one of Theatis 06’s numerous jungles. Grunting, you stand up, joints cracking in protest. The top part of the pod was completely gone, as is a side piece. You hobble over to control panels, trying to see if the comm worked. Sadly, the whole thing seemed destroyed. This was worse than you thought.

You had one crashed escape pod, no way to contact your escort group, and one sleeping clone trooper.

“Princess?”

Well… that makes zero sleeping clone troopers. You turn to the captain to see him rise to his feet. He stretches briefly before joining you next to the control panel.

“Does anything work?” His voice is scratchy, with a hint of warmth despite being filtered. You give a defeated sigh. After button smashing the console in frustration, there is still no sign it was operable.

“Unfortunately, nothing does. I guess we’re stuck here momentarily, captain.” He doesn’t say anything, opting to grab the discarded bag on the ground. He lugs it over himself, wearing it like a backpack and motions for you to follow him.

“We’ll travel to the closest city and find a way to send our coordinates to General Skywalker. For now, we should get some shelter and stay out of danger.” You nod, satisfied. The captain looks around then, seeing a viable path, jerks his head in that direction and walks off. You follow behind him, making sure to not snag your clothes on the flora.

As you journey onward, sweat begins to drip down… everywhere. Your face, neck, back. It gathers underneath your jewelry, seeping into your heavy robes. The cloying heat of the jungle was suffocating, the humidity clinging to every part of you. You can only imagine how much heat the captain had to endure under his armor.

The jungle wasn’t a quiet place. Sounds of birds chirping, distant animal growls, and your own footsteps echoed off the forest floor. In another time, this trip would be considered pleasant. You were, after all, surrounded by beautiful, exotic nature. But the reality of the situation only deepened the further you walked.

Next to you, the captain stayed silent. He dutifully carries the bag, twin blasters at his sides, and head aimed forward the entire time. Occasionally, he steadies you with a free hand when you slip on a rock or trip over a root. Even then, he doesn’t say a word. With each step, your muscles continue to ache. Your leg muscles are especially sore, and the back of your head is tender at the touch, probably due to the crash.

After what feels like hours, the captain finally stops moving. You, however, don’t notice, and collide right into his back, almost sending the two of you flying forward. You apologize under your breath then look to see why the captain had stopped.

A cave. A small cave with vines covering the entrance. You would have missed it if the captain hadn’t seen it. He steps towards the mouth of the cave, brushing aside the vines. You enter after him, and sit down on the ground. You sigh in the relief at the reprieve from walking. The captain sets the bag down in front of you and opens it.

Peering into the bag, you see a medkit, a canteen, extra ammo, a comm, and… rations. Maker, you didn’t realize how hungry you were until you saw those rations. Only now, the ache and noise of your stomach was noticeable.

The captain also settles down on the ground, legs spread apart, knees bent. He looks so relaxed--too relaxed-- for someone who was stuck with a princess in a foreign forest. He sorts through the supplies methodically, like he’s taking inventory.

You shrug off your heavy clothing, groaning at the air that hits your skin. Off goes your cloak, then head wrap, and lastly your skirt. All you’re left with is a black layer meant for temperature regulation and sight blaster protection. On top of that is a loose cotton slip dress, allowing the miniscule breeze of the jungle to provide you with some cooling. You try to remove your jewelry, but… you don’t know how to. You’ve never done it yourself.

“Captain? Would you mind removing my necklaces for me?” The helmet jerks up, interrupted from his organizing.

“Of course, princess.” He stands up and positions himself behind you. He shrugs off his gloves, bare, tanned hands reaching to the clasps. Grunts of concentration filter out of his helmet, probably in confusion at the locking mechanisms. It was, to his credit, a pretty complicated piece of jewelry. After a minute or two of struggle, the necklaces come loose. He sets it aside, on top of your discarded clothes.

“I’ll start a fire, stay here.” He starts to get up, but you grasp his wrist.

“This is a rainforest, captain. All the wood is wet and won’t burn. Try looking for the eyti leaves instead.” You describe the plant to him in detail, watching him nod in confirmation.

“I’ll be back, your highness. Here,” he reaches to his side and pulls out a blaster, “for emergencies.” He sets off, disappearing past the vines.

The air is thick around you, the urge to sleep becoming more tempting. You don’t even realize your eyes were closing, and jostle awake when you hear the snap of a twig. Snap .

Crack .

You rise slowly, clinging to the side of the cave. You brush aside a few vines, gripping the blaster until your knuckles turn white. You hold your breath and look out.

Green eyes. Massive green eyes stare right at you. Stars, that was a massive feline. You wrack your head for information regarding Theatis 06 jungle cats. You’re sure you learned about them somewhere in foriegn history class. But the growl leaving the cat’s bared mouth shakes you out of your thoughts. Stay calm. You’ll stay calm, move slowly, and breathe at a steady pa-

The cat lunges at you, and you raise your armed hand on instinct, frantically trying to pull the trigger. A shot rings around the area, and the cat slumps down, falling hard. The heavy thunk of its body ruffles the forest floor. You release the breath you were holding. Wait.

The blaster mark wasn’t on its front. It was on the cat’s back . From your periphery, Captain Rex steps out from between the trees. He marches over to you, setting down the eyti leaves before grasping your shoulders.

“Are you alright, princess?” You nod mutely. He leans down and picks up the blaster from the ground. You didn’t even know you’d dropped it. If he hadn’t been there… you don’t even want to think about what could’ve happened.

“I’ll start the fire.” The captain’s hands leave you, the absence of his warmth making you frown for a brief second. He piles the leaves into a mound in the middle of the cave floor. “I’ll get some rocks,” he starts, but you hold up a hand.

“I’ll do it. I’ll stay close, don’t worry.” Before he could protest, you’re already out of the cave. The search for rocks isn’t difficult, but halfway through it registers that you left the blaster. Well… you hope those jungle cats don’t travel in packs. Your small expedition was pleasant. The course you set wasn’t too far from your cave, and you get to admire the jungle without your restrictive clothes and jewelry.

After a few minutes in the heavy heat, you gather enough rocks for a small pit to contain the eyti leaves. You use your shirt to hold the rocks, stretching the fabric to a concave and containing them. You return to find the captain at the mouth of the cave, stiff and wary, a hand ready on his blaster. He only seems to relax once he sees you.

Together, you set up the fire pit, but don’t light it yet. The captain leaves the cave with a knife, mentioning how he had to skin the dinner. You hobble over to the comm to see if you could connect to any signal. Nothing. You were too far to contact anyone. You slump in your position and stare at the cave wall. How did things get so bad?

After a while, the captain returns with the skinned meat of the jungle cat. Together, you start the fire and prepare some sticks to use for skewering the meat. Outside, the insects buzz and the frogs croak, the darkness sweeping over to indicate night. The transition between light and dark begins.

The two of you cook the meat in silence, leaving you to ponder. With each piece of meat that’s done, you plop it into your mouth with no hesitation. It tastes… like the green hens from back home. Pretty unseasoned and a little lean, but not horrible. The captain doesn’t eat his pieces immediately, setting them aside when he’s done.

Soon enough, you’ve eaten through your share, satisfied and full. A large dinner without using the precious rations is a success in your book. The captain, however, has yet to eat his food. Once all his pieces are cooked, he brings his hands to his helmet and tugs it off and… you’re speechless.

Light blond hair atop a well-structured face. Eyebrows that arch beautifully, a sharp nose, and a prominent jawline, the hard lines of stress and war prominent on his forehead. The thin line of his lips are downturned. And his eyes . The hooded, gold-brown eyes that reflect the flickering firelight. This man might have been the most handsome you’ve ever seen. And there’s a whole army of people who look just like him.

“Princess? Something wrong?” You jolt at his question. Kriff, this was the second time you had stared at him today. Heat warms your cheeks. You cough into a closed fist.

“Nothing’s wrong, captain. And you can call me by my name. I think we’re past formalities.” He lets out a small smile but shakes his head.

“Don’t think I can do that, your highness. Have to follow orders and call you formally.” You pout but don’t respond, instead taking the time to further admire him. His voice is even more captivating without the helmet. Maker, it was so smooth and melodic yet stable and- kriff when were you so attracted to a voice ? He starts eating, but those ochre eyes flit to yours, and you turn away.

To distract yourself, you pick up the canteen of water, and take a few sips. As you search through the contents of the bag, you find a compact mirror. You open and see… something horrible.

Your makeup has been smudged to all hell. The gold of your lipstick is smeared down to your chin, and the white paint on your face is half gone. The intricate golden markings that decorate you are no more than muddied lines, and there are visible sweat trails that erased the color on your forehead. You were such a mess. While you look like a melted dolly, the captain sits there looking all majestic. This was so unfair .

“Is everything ok, princess?” You close your gaping mouth and turn to the captain.

“You never told me that I looked like this ,” you frown, pointing at your face. “I look horrible!” The captain chuckles, the breathy sound sending shivers to your chest.

“With all due respect, I didn’t think it was my place to point it out. And you don’t look bad, either. We just crash landed in the jungle. Of course your makeup would be ruined.” His eyebrows arch, confused at your frustration. You huff.

“It’s just so unfair. You get to look like… that , and I’m here looking like a blurrg stepped in paint and walked over my face!” You bring a hand to your forehead in exasperation. Sure, you were being dramatic, but a princess should never have to be in such a sorry state. The captain has the nerve to look even more bewildered.

“I’m not sure I understand, princess. I look normal, like all my brothers.” A grumble about how he’ll never understand your predicament escapes your lips. The captain reaches for one of your discarded clothes and sets the lip of the canteen on top, dampening the fabric. “Here,” he gestures, “so you can wash up.” You grasp at the cloth, gently swiping at your face. Paint stains the rich, expensive robe, but you don’t really care.

“Thank you,” you croak, face feeling fresher and cleaned. The captain nods at you, arranging your clothes to form a pile.

“Sleep. I’ll keep watch,” he advises.

“Shouldn’t we take turns? It’s no use if you’re tired tomorrow.” He considers your words then sighs.

“Alright. I’ll wake you when it’s your turn,” he decides. You lay your head atop your clothes, settling down on the hard ground. Pebbles dig at your back, and your neck aches at the lack of support, but it’s not as horrible as you would’ve imagined.

“Good night, Captain Rex,” you whisper, eyes already closing. The exhaustion from your long hike takes over your body. It seems that your adrenaline from the day is long gone.

“Good night, princess.”

#captain rex #captain rex x reader #clone wars #star wars fanfiction #captain rex x you #diplomacy #a princess and her captain

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prongsisabadger · 3 years

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The Wolf Pack

Chapter 3

Life at the Jedi Temple was rather slow paced. Mornings started with theoretical lessons. History, diplomacy, science, and medicine. Noon brought a resting period that was only cut short by the afternoon physical lessons. Acrobatics, endurance, and overall muscle building made up just a few of the disciplines. As children with developing bodies, there there was a limit to how far they could push us without exhausting us, so during the first few years, training would take up eight hours of the day as a maximum. That left me with a lot of time to explore the knowledge the library had to offer. Master Jocasta learned to expect my presence after lunch, and sometimes even late at night. There was an endless amount of knowledge stored in those holocrons, and it seemed like a shame not to make the most of them.

In time, I made friends with one other youngling, Ahsoka Tano. We had met during my first day in the temple and she seemed to remember me. One of the masters had taken her to the council because she had refused to study during class, and as a result had ended in the council chamber. She was three years younger than me, but neither of us minded the age gap. The other children seemed not to like us much. It's not like a troublemaker and a kid that grew up with raiders seemed like a good choice. So naturally, we ended up drifting together, as if by the grace of the Force. I helped Ahsoka with her studies and she kept me company whenever I needed it. It was almost instantaneous, she became my best friend in what seemed like days. We told each other everything, we guarded each other's backs, by the end of the first year, we had managed to become roommates.

We were much alike, Ahsoka and I. We both wore our hearts on our sleeves, but where she acted on it, I didn't. She used to tell me how I would explode one day if I kept bottling things up. She said she didn't want to be in my way if I ever got angry. But that was only partially true, I was reserved with my emotions, but I did show them to those I trusted, and Ahsoka was on top of that list. Age didn't matter, she was my equal, she was my best friend.

And then came the day when someone tried to mess with her. Bullies are everywhere, in the streets of the lowest levels of Coruscant and in the halls of the Jedi Temple. Brendon Kail was one of them. The eldest generation of younglings, the ones who would become padawans next. Ahsoka was five, I was eight, and this thirteen year old boy tried to mess with her. Ahsoka had taken the cafeteria's seat by the windows overlooking the gardens. She was waiting for me so we could have lunch together before going to the gardens and read under the sun. Brendon decided he wanted her seat. I arrived to a smirking kid and a furious Ahsoka. She was yelling and he was laughing. "Midgets should respect their elders" he said and then slapped her across the face.

"Back off before I break your hand." I said as calmly as I could.

Brandon and his lapdogs turned towards me.

"Ooh, another midget with a god complex! Get out of my way if you don't want to end up like your friend."

Ahsoka was now looking right at me, hand on her left cheek and eyes burning.

"You call yourself a Jedi and then slap younglings over a seat. I might be a midget, but I am closer to being a Jedi than scum like you."

The boy's face contorted in anger, his fist tightened by his sides and his eyes shot daggers.

"Back off, desert rat, or you'll regret it." He warned.

"I don't think I will. You better leave me and my friend alone or I will take this to the council and have them look at the security holograms. You'll be out of the Order faster than I can break your face. So I suggest you get going, midget."

He seemed to consider my threat for a second, but it was gone the next, like he didn't think I'd have the guts to snitch on him. And then, he gave me the excuse I needed, he took a fighting stance. Now, I knew I had little chance of winning against someone four years my senior, but there was no way I wouldn't stand up for myself and Ahsoka, so I moved my feet into a Form V stance and waited for him to throw the first punch. And he did. I went on the defensive, he would not coax me into engaging him head on, I knew a losing fight when I saw one. Instead, I prolonged the fight, dodged here and there and blocked and blocked and blocked. He started getting frustrated, yelling at me to fight back, calling me a coward. Still I dodged, and blocked. And finally, he slipped. One of his feet went out too far from his original stance, and seeing the opening for what it was, I took it. I crouched and sweeped my left leg underneath him and right onto his heel. And down he went. Brandon fell on his back and the impact forced the air from his lungs. I stood straight as I watched the boy wheeze and gasp for air. I wiped the sweat from my forehead before asking Ahsoka if she was okay.

"I'm fine, Sunshine here has a Hut's fist." She answered. "Why didn't you hit him though?"

"I wouldn't have won."

…

Of course we didn't get away with the commotion we had created. Younglings talked a lot when something exciting happened in the temple. There wasn't always much cause for gossip, so whenever the opportunity arose, they took to it like fish in water. It wasn't long before Ahsoka and I had been summoned to the Council's chamber. Of course, Brandon was there too, and I hadn't felt so nervous since the time I'd accidentally killed a sacred snake on Tatooine.

The masters asked the three of us for our version of the story, they listened and waited patiently until each of us was done. By the time Ahsoka was done talking Brandon already refused to lift his gaze from the floor. At last, Master Windu asked for the security recording.

"Clear the final verdict is." Said Master Yoda with what sounded like sadness in his voice.

"It is, Master Yoda," agreed Master Plo.

"Brendon Kail," said Master Windu as he sat straighter. "You are hereby expelled from the Jedi Order for abuse of power and predatory behaviors. A shuttle will take you to your family in the morning."

Brandon tried to fight it, to justify his actions, to beg, to cry for his place in the order. He got no mercy from the council that day. He was escorted out of the chamber by a temple guard.

"As for you two," Continued Master Windu. "You should pick your battles better, young Tano. Kriari won't always be there to help you."

"Yes, Master."

"And you, young Foreas," said Master Plo. "Don't let things escalate again, if it ever happens, have a Master handle things."

"Yes, Master Plo."

But it never came to that. The rumor about how Kriari Foreas beat up someone four years her senior spread like wildfire. No one ever bothered Ahsoka and I again.

…

We had been using training sabers since I'd arrived at the temple. But when I turned nine, they got us started on one on one duels. If struck by one, Training sabers stung the rest of the day, so it quickly became clear that the fastest way to not getting stung was relentless training. Ahsoka and I would get up early in the morning and duel each other. She was a faster learner than I was, and she quickly made it to the top of her class. It took me a while longer to master my chosen combat form, but eventually, I became good enough. The theory classes went rather well, some were more entertaining than others. Life at the temple was good, sheltered, and had I not lived with the Tusken the first six years of my life, my perception of life would have been limited to life on the temple. It was easy to be a pacifist in a place of knowledge, wisdom and worship, but I knew the real trials and lessons would come when I became a Padawan.

Padawan, the doorway to becoming a Jedi Knight, the true first step into the world of a peacekeeper. A glimpse, a taste, a touch of what being a Jedi is really like. An apprentice to a Master. A Master, they who we look up to but who don't have all the answers. They who guide us through a path they have walked before but of which they never got to the end. They who would become the closest thing to family us Padawans would ever have. A Jedi Knight, the keeper of peace, the bridge between worlds, the servant of the Force. The defender of the light. And the charging warrior against the Dark Side.

One day, that would be me.

#TWP #clone wars fan fiction #fanfiction #star wars #plo koon #ahsoka tano #obi wan kenobi #commander wolffe #captain rex #padawan!oc

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disneydreamlights · 4 years

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Until We Meet Again

AO3 | FFN

Summary: Stuck in the World Between Worlds, Ahsoka pulls her master in for one last conversation.

A/N: *drops this here and flees quietly* Anakin and Ahsoka deserve so much better.

Anyways first foray into writing for Star Wars, so that’s always fun.

She shouldn’t be here. That was the consistent thought that ran through Ahsoka’s head as she wandered the World Between Worlds. She’d told Ezra that messing with the past any more than necessary was a bad idea, and being in this place just kept the temptation there. With the knowledge she had now, she could change so much of the past, even when she knew it was wrong to harbor that desire. Yet despite Ezra making it out through back to Lothal, she couldn’t find the portal back to Malachor.

“What would’ve surprised people was how kind he was. He cared deeply about his friends. He looked out for them until the end.”

That was her voice echoing out into the endless abyss of empty space surrounding her. It was what she’d said to Ezra when she had first told him about her master. She winced at the realization, not wanting to think about Anakin. She still had a bit more until she came to terms with that.

“He is like no other Jedi. Passionate, impulsive, but I trust him with my life!”

“You’re reckless little one. You never would have made it as Obi-Wan’s Padawan, but you might make it as mine.”

“Fighter crashed, I saved the day, you’re welcome.”

“You taught me well. I can handle anything.”

It was all just snippets of conversations between them. Swirling around in the Force with no source. For a moment, Ahsoka felt like she was going to be overwhelmed by the memories of them. They had to be coming from somewhere. Because she had to make them stop.

Her answer came from one of the portals. Something about it almost felt as though it was calling to her.

“Anakin, good luck.”

“But because of you I did survive.”

“I knew you’d come looking for me.” “I never doubted you for a second.”

“I can’t let you die Ahsoka.”

Each memory that played out as she got closer to the portal was like a stab to the heart. She tried to ignore them, unable to face how much had changed. How the master who would sacrifice the world to keep her safe was the same person who had tried to kill her just hours earlier. She stopped in front of the portal and looked through it, determined to see what the Force wanted her to see, and ignore the voices from her past.

It was a moment she could never forget, the moment she had turned away from the path of the Jedi. She watched in silence as her younger, hurt counterpart continued down the steps away from the temple, and away from Anakin. Knowing what he had become, knowing this would be one of the final times she would see him, it was her biggest regret. She could have done more if she’d stayed in the temple.

For a brief moment, Ahsoka contemplated running through the portal and stopping her younger counterpart from leaving, but she quickly dismissed the idea before it could settle in her head. Even if she had succeeded in convincing herself to return, there was no guarantee it would fix the timeline. There was a chance it could make it worse. “Remember what you told Ezra,” she mumbled under her breath, “You can’t change the timeline.”

She took a deep breath to try to keep herself calm, and continued to watch the portal. She watched as Anakin turned away once her montrals disappeared below the horizon. After a moment, almost as though for him it was sinking in that the young Ahsoka wouldn’t come back, Anakin started for the temple. She remembered how he’d said he’d understood why she’d left, but the way he looked so deflated told her that even if he understood wanting to leave the order, he was still far more hurt than she could’ve imagined. “Anakin.” He heard her as he passed by the portal and looked at her. Before he could respond, she reached through and pulled Anakin into the portal.

Anakin stumbled through, having been pulled into the strange world. Ahsoka managed the same, and for a moment, they stood opposite of each other, staring. She couldn’t believe herself. Why had she done that? She hadn’t even thought about it, just reacted. For a moment, they both just looked at each other. Anakin trying to figure out where he was and what was going on, and Ahsoka still attempting to process just what she had done.

Anakin gathered his bearings first as he looked at her as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Ahsoka?”

“Anakin.” Her voice came out as hardly more than a whisper as she nodded.

Seeing the wide grin on his face hurt far more than she could ever say. “You grew up.” Anakin, this Anakin, was practically throwing his pride for her into the Force, so unlike the Vader she had just faced moments ago. It just didn’t make sense how in less than a year from this he’d fall so far.

“It has been a while.” Ahsoka couldn’t fight off the small smile on her face.

“How long?”

“Twenty years.” She looked away, unable to bring herself to see how he reacted.

“You...twenty…” Anakin took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Is the war finally over? Did we win? How’s Pad–”

“Anakin.” The pain in her voice was more than enough to shut him up. He waited for her to answer. “Please, don’t ask me. I can’t...It could change the past.” If he knew anything she knew, things could get better, or they could be so much worse. This was Anakin, and the knowledge that he caused so much tragedy could either drive him right over that edge he was evidently a lot closer to then she’d ever imagined, or it could cause him to go marching into the Senate right now, lightsaber at the ready to stab Palpatine in the chest and be done with it. Ahsoka wouldn’t chance it.

He didn’t respond right away. “No details then. Just...I need to know.. I need to know if everything is worth it.”

“It’s not.” Ahsoka could offer that much. “The war changed the galaxy forever.” She couldn’t help the bitterness that seeped into her tone. It took away almost all of her closest friends. Even after everything, it would never be worth it.

Anakin hugged her. Whether it was an attempt to soothe her pain or stop his own Ahsoka wasn’t sure, nor did she care. She hugged him back, relieved for just a moment to have him back. “I miss you, Skyguy.” Almost as though he knew what happened to him, Anakin hugged her tighter the moment she told him, hoping he could give her slightly more support.

Anakin pulled away from the hug first, unable to look at her. “I die in the war, don’t I?” She didn’t respond. How could she respond? “Ahsoka.”

“At the end.” She knows that had to be when he fell. Darth Vader showed his face only a few months after the Clone Wars ended, and the Clone Wars ended the night the Jedi fell. It was technically true; while his body lived based on the cold reception she had received it was very obvious the Sith was not her master. Not anymore. “I wasn’t there when it happened.” She didn’t elaborate why, he didn’t need her to.

“Guess that just means you’ll have to avenge me, doesn’t it?” He let out a laugh, but it was clear that it was more for her sake that he was joking around about his own death than him finding anything to laugh at. “Well, the younger you will anyways. This you I’m sure has already done it with how well I trained you.”

“I’m working on it. Not all of us have prophecy given powers to beat Sith Lords you know.” The moment the words left her mouth, she winced. Anakin’s joy fell silent.

“Dooku’s master?”

“Dooku’s replacement.”

They fell quiet again, neither of them really knowing what to say to each other with the reveal. For Anakin, it was the proof that the war meant nothing in the long term for him if the Sith not only lived, but killed him. “Do you know how he did it?”

Ahsoka shook her head. “I don’t, but knowing you? Padmé and Obi-Wan were probably in trouble and you rushed right in to protect them.” Given that Padmé’s funeral had been broadcast for everybody to see and nobody had heard from Obi-Wan since the Clone Wars ended, it was her current working theory. They died and Anakin fell after losing everybody he had left besides her.

“Senator Amidala, why would I–” At the pointed look Ahsoka gave him, Anakin fell silent. She knew about the two of them back when she was still his Padawan after all. “Alright, maybe that theory isn’t so unreasonable after all.”

“It’s completely reasonable.” She nudged him lightly, and he laughed, unable to deny it. “Come on Skyguy, you and I both know she’s your girlfriend.”

“Wife, Snips. We’ve been married for two years now.” Anakin smirked. They were married the entire time she was his Padawan? If it wasn’t for the rules against attachments, and how Anakin probably kept it secret so he could remain her master, Ahsoka would’ve been hurt by the fact that he never told her. And then it seemed to sink in what he said, because the lightened atmosphere between the two once more darkened. “You said I probably went down trying to save Obi-Wan and Padmé...was I at least successful.”

“Anakin, I c…” Ahsoka let her denial fall silent as she noticed the look of desperation in his face. “You don’t. I saw her funeral on the HoloNet, and nobody’s seen Obi-Wan since.” She didn’t tell him about how Padmé had died pregnant. It would only hurt him more.

Not that the news of Padmé’s death didn’t hurt him enough. Anakin crumped, leaning into her as though he’d gotten older by twenty years just from that statement alone. This had to be a hard day, between losing his Padawan and learning that the two of them would die. “Tell me, what happened? Maybe I can save her, stop us both from--”

“I don’t know.” Ahsoka cut him off before he could keep going. “I wasn’t there, I just knew you were both gone. That it was just Rex and I left.”

That brought a slight smile to Anakin’s face. “At least you had Rex with you. If nothing else, somebody was able to keep watching your back.”

“He’s never let me down before.” Ahsoka smiled back. “Just like you didn’t either.” It wasn’t the full truth, but Anakin hadn’t fallen to the dark side yet. This Anakin had done his best, had never failed her.

Even with the bond between them no longer present, Ahsoka could feel Anakin’s relief in the Force. That she hadn’t chosen to abandon him because he’d failed her. “Why did you leave then?”

“I needed to find myself, after everything.” Ahsoka put a hand on Anakin’s shoulder. “She needs to work that out too. I promise you, this isn’t the last time we meet.”

Despite feeling nothing but regret at how their last conversations had gone, Ahsoka knew telling him that was the right choice just by how much more at peace he seemed. She too felt more centered than she had since she’d learned the identity of the man behind the mask. “I shouldn’t keep you here any longer. I have a Sith Lord to hunt, and you shouldn’t waste anymore time with Padmé than you already have.”

“Haha, very funny.” The way the smile reached his eyes told Ahsoka he did, in fact, appreciate the fact that he would tease her like this. “But I suppose you’re right, it has been a while since I’ve been on Coruscant, and my lovely wife did manage to save you from whatever punishment the Senate may have been forced to enact.”

Anakin stopped teasing a moment later as he reached into his pocket and pulled out her Padawan beads. “I was going to hold onto them, in case you ever decided to rejoin the Order, but I can tell, even with the lightsabers, you’re not a Jedi.” She looked at him in surprise, but Anakin continued. “I can imagine given that, when I…” He stayed quiet for a moment. “When everything happens, I doubt you managed to have anything of mine. I know they’re probably a reminder of the pain you’ve gone through, but they’re also a symbol for every moment we spent together, training. You should have something to remember me by.”

Ahsoka was silent for a moment. He was right, in that the beads were mostly a reminder of everything she had left behind, but they were also her tie to Anakin, and she knew he wasn’t offering them to her lightly. “Thank you, Master.”

Anakin dropped the beads into her hand, and she wrapped them around the hilt of one of her lightsabers. He went to turn around, but stopped for a moment, instead choosing to give her one last hug. “I’m proud of you.”

She returned the hug briefly before pulling away. “I know.”

With a wave and a stay safe, Anakin left to return to Coruscant in his time, and Ahsoka turned around to see Morai, sitting on the arch of the portal behind her. “So, that one leads back to where I need to go?” The bird nodded, perching herself on Ahsoka’s shoulder. “Then let’s go.” With one last glance around her, Ahsoka exited the World Between Worlds to return to the Sith temple on Malachor.

She needed to get out of there as soon as possible, after all, she had a promise to keep.

#Star Wars #Anakin Skywalker #Ahsoka Tano #Anakin #Ahsoka #Heather Writes

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joracalltrise · 4 years

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I’ve fallen in love with the 7th season of the Clone Wars, but in the same time this season… disappointed me so much. Do you, guys, feel the same? Or are you fully satisfied?

I warn you, that I’m going to more or less skip the good things and get to the bad things – not because I’m a complaining person, but because I believe a lot of people have already listed all positives about the last episode and season 7 in general (especially <url> www.gffa.tumblr.com </url> – dude, I really love your blog!), so me talking about the things I had loved in the latest season, would be… repeating what other people have already said.

I think we all (or most of us) agree, that the 7th Season was totally amazing, if not THE BEST season of the Clone Wars. We got that clear? Okay, now let’s get to the “buts”.

1. Not enough episodes

I’ll sound a bit whiny here, but… I really don’t get it, why couldn’t we get full 20 episodes for the Final Season of the Clone Wars. Or even more than 20. Maybe there are people in Disney, who are smarter than me, and they know the answer to that question, but STILL… if Star Wars is such a good brand, why not making more of the Clone Wars?

Of course, there are also advantages of producing only 12 episodes.

The whole season feels more like a movie than a TV series. Or, rather – like three movies. Instead of “small stories” we were given three solid Arcs, which are very smoothly connected to each other. That’s a good thing. It’s not the same case as “the Legend of Korra”, where 12 episodes would give us a feeling of an enormous pacing.

BUT. Because I was given only 12 episodes, I got to miss some of my favorite characters.

2. Lack of some important characters

We didn’t see Dooku in the last season the Clone Wars – not even ONCE!

We didn’t see Grievous in the last season of the Clone Wars – not even ONCE!

We didn’t see Ventress in the last season of the Clone Wars – not even ONCE!

We BARELY saw Obi-Wan (sniff! sniff!) – poor guy got some bigger scenes only in “Good friends not forgotten” and “Phantom Apprentice”. And some short (but really good) lines in “An unfinished business”.

Padme got ONE scene (one that confirms, that Anakin is, in fact, blind, since he didn’t comment on her baby bump).

Now, someone would roll their eyes and say – yeeeeaaaah, but Dooku, Grievous, Obi-Wan and Padme got PLENTY of TV time in the Revenge of the Sith, duh! If you want more of them, just watch RoTs, again. Okay, I agree, but… that was the whole point of me watching the Clone Wars. I liked it so much, because prequel trilogy was not enough for me. I wanted MORE of my favorite characters. What’s wrong with that?

And what about Ventress? She was supposed to have such a great Arc with Quinlan Vos!

Than brings us to the next case…

3. Abandoned and Non-existing Arcs

Utapau Arc… oh, I’m NEVER gonna forgive them for Utapau Arc!

I believe it was actually the best Arc in the Clone Wars. I’ve watched those unfinished episodes sooo many times, and they have brought me more joy than ANY full-fledged episodes. So many good moments in those episodes!

So much of Obi-Wan and Anakin dynamics (I’m sorry, Ahsoka fans, but no matter how much Felloni and Co will try to persuade me otherwise, OBI-WAN is a Jedi who has the closest relationship with Anakin, NOT Ahsoka. Quarrel, if you like, but that’s how I feel, sorry).

Anakin interacting with animals (outrageous, cute and absolutely beautiful).

Anakin’s great plan “ups, I’ve fallen asleep… ah, no, it was my plan from the beginning!”

Scorpion creature playing with Anakin’s lightsaber, and Anakin killing the creature “by accident”.

And FINALLY two best moments:

“Awww, got yourself captured again, Old Man?” (I’ll NEVER get tired of Anakin calling Obi-Wan “old man”, okay?”

And Obi-Wan merrily waving to Grievous, when he and Anakin escape with the cristal.

Ventress and Quinlan Arc – even if they didn’t follow a comic, they could have made an amazing Arc out of this.

Small Padme Arc? Like… how she was dealing with her pregnancy, while working for the Senate? Anything? Pretty please?

Some Arc involving Ayala Secura or Kit Fisto or Ki Adi Mundi or Plo Koon – just to say goodbye to those characters before Order 66? By the way, it’s kind of weird, Ahsoka didn’t think or talk about Plo Koon even a little bit, during the WHOLE season. That’s the disadvantage of having only 12 episodes, yup!

The last Padawan Arc aka Caleb Dume turning into Kanan Jarrus Arc aka One of my biggest disappointments for the last season. Why… WHY they didn’t do it?! The trailer gave me soooo muuuch hope! I really, REALLY wanted to see Kanan interacting with Depa and the Clones. Yes, I know, comics and stuff, but comics is not TV, and I love watching my favorite characters with nice soundtrack and great voice actors and everything. R.I.P. my expectations for Caleb Dume’s Arc in Clone Wars… sniff sniff!

Of course, there’s more, but those are the ones that come to my mind firsts.

4. Ahsoka’s character in this last season

Now, let’s talk about the character who got the most of the TV time in the whole season (if not the whole series).

Ahsoka’s greatest fans will probably get angry at me, but I’m still gonna say this. Not because I dislike Ahsoka, because I DO like her, and I think she’s an amazing character. Actually, before I start throwing my “accusations”, I’ll say some nice things about Ahsoka, so that you know I’m not trying to be mean here.

What Ahsoka did in the 7th season, can be mostly explained by her young age. She’s clearly at the rebel stage, she’s got through some really awful experiences (getting accused of treason, when you’re INNOCENT can really leave someone pretty shaken up, I think we all agree), and before Martez Sisters Arc for the first time in her life she was really, really ALONE.

Also, we all know that Ahsoka will be more mature in Rebels. It kind of makes sense, that you need to become an angry and proud teenager first, before you become an experienced and charismatic leader.

BUT, even knowing that, I’m really annoyed at Ahsoka after the last season. I’ve liked her during all 5 seasons of the Clone Wars, she was one of my favorite characters, but after season 7, she really got on my nerves. And honestly? I’m starting to think, it wasn’t even her fault. Maybe it was just the Clone Wars creators turning her into to some sort of… agenda? Using her to prove something? About the whole Jedi Order, maybe? Or about Anakin?

But, anyway, to the point…

Ahsoka’s actions in season 7 basically resulted in three groups of fans.

Group Number One (that’s NOT me) – people who started to think Ahsoka is some sort of saint, the only good (ex) Jedi in the rotten Order, the very best person, and oh, if only other Jedi could act like her, then maybe nothing bad will happen. And, oh, Obi-Wan and the rest Council sitters could REALLY learn from this amazing woman!

Group Number Two (that’s me) – people rising an eyebrow to Ahsoka’s behavior and being slightly annoyed at her.

Group Number Three (I don’t know who’s there, but there are some people) – people hating Ahsoka, getting really angry at her for acting the way she acted, and also blaming her for not using her knowledge about Sidious wanting to make Anakin his apprentice.

Who’s right? Maybe no one? Maybe partly everyone? I don’t know, so I’ll just proceed to explain my own subjective point of view.

I’ve already said some things about Ahsoka in this post:

<url> https://joracalltrise.tumblr.com/post/615743227991031809/ahsoka-versus-obi-wan-where-did-that-even-come </url>

I’m going to say more, but it’ll be much shorter.

What I disliked about Ahsoka most in the latest season was the fact, that she wanted to have a cookie and eat the cookie and she started to lecture people smarter and more experienced than her how to do their job.

Let’s start with the first one, by looking into Ahsoka’s particular words and actions. So…

She doesn’t want to be a Jedi, but she wants Republic to support her actions (siege of Mandalore) and let her participate in important Jedi-only discussions (Mace Windu talk). Kind of like some Brexit supporters, don’t you think? “Let’s leave the EU, but let’s keep all the privileges of the country belonging to the EU, because we are so smart, we deserve it and that’s it”. Oh, come on! You either leave of not – make up your mind, Ahsoka (Britain could, so why can’t you?).

She wants Anakin and Obi-Wan to help her but she doesn’t want to ASK them nicely and try a little bit to act like a person asking for help. She just expects them to agree, because they… what? Owe her? Owe her WHAT? Not supporting her ENOUGH, when she was accused (let me remind you: Obi-Wan sided with Ahsoka during Council meeting, and Anakin was litteraly running around Coruscant to prove his Padawan’s innocence)?

Her being angry about Anakin and Obi-Wan choosing Coruscant over Mandalore – I’m not even commenting that, because I’m tired of talking about it. But I’ll add just one more thing here – did it occur to anyone that Trace and Rafa are still on Coruscant, when Coruscant is attacked? What a great friendship you have formed, Ahsoka! Not even a single worry about whether or not your new friends will be in danger? But wait, they don’t need you, cause people in Mandalore need you more. Cool (sorry about the sarcasm, guys, but I couldn’t resist).

And now, the second thing.

If you want to change some huge organization, especially one like a Jedi Order, the best way to do it, is from the inside. Qui-Gon Jinn was like no other Jedi, and he was probably tempted to leave, but he chose to stay, and his presence benefited the Order in many many ways! He didn’t really change the Jedi – died before he could – but there was a chance. Perhaps Anakin could have changed the Jedi, had he not turned to the dark side? I think he would! Maybe, if he would mature even more (although, in Clone Wars he matured A LOT – look at the “Old friends not forgotten” episode) and join the Council a bit later, when the time was right… just imagine it! The Jedi Code hasn’t ALWAYS forbidden marriages and love. The Order could have come back to its old ways. Good thing, stuff like fanfiction exists ;)

But anyway, coming back to Ahsoka. If you LEAVE an organization, and then you start lecturing its members about morality and choices, it’s kind of obvious, they won’t take you seriously. And yeah, I fully support Obi-Wan’s statement “but Ahsoka is no longer a part of the Republic Military”, and I totally agree with Mace calling her “a citizen”. It’s all about Ahsoka wanting to keep and wanting to eat at the same time. What she wanted in the final season, basically, is doing all the good things she remember doing in the Order (helping people selflessly, supporting friends), but without having to deal with difficult (but necessary) things (like making difficult choices and dealing with consequences, duty versus emotion, all of this so called “playing politics”, etcetera). It’s like wanting to have a pet, but leaving all the problems – going to the vet, curing the animal, when it’s sick, maybe even making the decision of “putting a friend to a sleep” to keep it from suffering – to somebody else. Do you get, what I mean?

And before I leave the poor girl alone, I have one more thing to add.

I don’t like making Ahsoka “another Rey”.

Strong female characters are very much needed in the popculture. I’m a girl too, so I understand. But, for Force’s sake, don’t upgrade somebody’s skills ex-machina!

Okay, fine, they’ve made Rey a Force prodigy because she’s *********’s granddaughter and apparently she was already good in martial arts before she has left Jakku. Some people like that. I don’t. I prefer an actual skill development instead of sudden skills upgrage.

But Ahsoka didn’t held a lightsaber for a long time, and first time she grabs her new pair, she becomes a one person machine. I wouldn’t say it makes me particularly upset, because it was nice to watch. But it DID disturbed me. And I couldn’t help the feeling, that canon was a bit shifted to match Ashoka fan’s expectations.

The canon got me used to the fact, that Star Wars strongest prequel fighters were Yoda, Palpie, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Mace, Dooku and Maul. I might have forgotten someone, but you get my point, right? Experienced and adult fighters, whose skills are logical and earned. Actually, I think that Ahsoka from Rebels fits that group as well.

I repeat it – Ahsoka FROM REBELS!

In Rebels she’s an adult and she’s got plenty of time to hone both her Force and lightsaber skills.

I’m not saying, I’m hating her fighting like a pro with Mandalorians and Maul. I repeat it - It WAS nice to watch. I’m just not buying it.

Like I’m not buying some other things.

5. Lack of logic (especially in Martez Arc)

It’s not a big fault, actually. We get plenty of those in pop culture shows. It gives us a lot of room for “How It Should Have Ended” videos ;)

But, seeeriiouslyyy…

Ahsoka using the Force right and left in the Martez Arc, while Rafa and Trace don’t notice A THING… are they deaf and blind, or something?

Is Anakin blind as well? Does he REALLY not notice Padme’s baby bump? Was he too busy’s with his wife’s beautiful eyes, or what?

And – AGAIN! – Ahsoka grabing Maul’s ship with the Force. Since when grabing a (MOVING) ship with the Force became a canonical skill of anyone other than Yoda (or maybe Palpatine)? No, wait, even Palpie and Yoda didn’t grab a MOVIG ship. Why Anakin and Obi-Wan couldn’t Force grab Dooku’s ship, when he was escaping Naboo? There were TWO of them, for Force’s sake, and one of them was the Forcedamn Chosen One! Why couldn’t they? Oh, wait, I know! Because it was BEFORE “The Rise of Skywalker”. In THAT movie Forcegrabing the ships became a canonical skill, especially for prodigical women loved by the audience (again – sorry about the sarcasm, guys). As a woman who used to train martial arts for YEARS, I’d like female protagonists to actually LEARN their super skills, before they use them. Okay?

But, well, Star Wars suddenly canonizing new amazing skills after years is a material for a different article.

And, like I said, it’s really not that big of a deal. The Clone Wars were still amazing and enjoyable to watch – especially the newest season.

Besides, well, I can’t get what I want all the time, right? Felloni and Co had to CHOOSE, whom they want to make happiest, and they’ve chosen Ahsoka’s fans. I don’t blame them. Maybe they’ll choose my preferences next ;) One can always hope, right?

Conclusions?

Yeah, I think that’s all I have to say about the newest season. And I repeat – once again – that in spite all this complaining, I really loved that season. And I loved reading about other people’s opinions about it. May the Force be with us all!

Thank you for reading this long, looong post!

If anyone’s up to the discussion, feel free to contact me.

6 notes · View notes

sobiwanfan · 5 years

Text

For the Honour of a Lady

In a fitful rest, Obi-Wan tossed and turned. The drugs injected into his system after the battle caused him to remain asleep, though if he had his way, he would have awakened a long time ago. The sound of canon fire echoed in his eardrums. It felt as though he could not hear properly, as though everything was muffled. The bodies of his team, the troopers with him on the ship came before his eyes and he immediately felt a wave of regret come over him. Logically, they would not be here because they died, but for some reason, they were lying on the ground near the location Waxer and Boil brought him after they retrieved him from the wreckage. Finally, the medicine wore off and Obi-Wan blinked his eyes open. Immediately, he shut them, in order to block out the bright white light from the medical centre. After a moment, he opened them again and slowly sat up. The wounds he claimed were ‘not that serious’ were in fact far more critical than he allowed himself to let on in the midst of a battle.

-----

Sabé was not a woman who easily fell prey to the gossip of the HoloNet News and trash-talk articles. However, with her friend on the frontlines, the former decoy took to keeping an eye out for any knowledge that might bear some truth. It was the only way she could bear witness of her friend. She hated the war, at the same time, in spite of the guilt felt, a small part of her was grateful for the opportunity that had availed from it. The HoloNet News was entirely inaccurate, portraying Jedi Kenobi to be an arrogant fool who surrounded himself with women. Sabé knew Obi-Wan better than that and did not take it to heart. Even so, it was still nice to see his visage again, to hear his voice during those rare moments when the cameras caught him speaking in the background to troops or fellow colleagues. It was the closest she had come to being in contact with him or even being witness to his life in eleven years. The last time she had spoken to him, they had been on Naboo and it was as the funeral of his master and mentor Qui-Gon Jinn. It was about as long since she had seen his smile, the way his eyes would light up and the warm peace she always felt in his presence. Though Sabé would not allow herself to admit it, not a day had gone by without her thinking about his memory. It was his memory that ensured that she never faltered in her duties and always strove to be the finest decoy and handmaiden the Naboo had ever seen. It had been so long, far too long. However, this was not how Sabé had hoped to see her friend again. Not like this, anything but this. The handmaiden was sensitive to the Force, but untrained. It was not her path to follow and so she chose to serve the Naboo Queen-turned-Senator Amidala. It did not stop her from feeling the emotions of others. It was Jedi Kenobi’s pain that she felt strongest on that day and she knew something terrible had happened to the noble knight. She could not leave right away; it was not permitted. Nor would it have been proper to walk out in the middle of duty.

As a handmaiden, Sabé was trained to hidden in plain sight. It was a gift and a curse. Today, it was a bit of both. Duty ensured that Sabé kept her emotions separate from her. It also held her prisoner to a meeting that she suddenly had no interest in. While Sabé had not fought on the frontlines, she was more than familiar with the dangers of battle. Her training had prepared her well for it. It had prepared her for loss as well, but the idea of losing Obi-Wan was something she could not fathom. It was the practice of light meditation that ensured she could make it to the end of the day. In silence, Sabé cleared her thoughts and imagined she was in the famous gardens in the senatorial district with her old friend. She could almost smell the warm scents of wild flowers and Paogna tea, spice, and fresh water, just as she could almost see Obi-Wan’s gentle smile. If only it was real. The first chance she had, Sabé made an excuse to step out. She needed to contact someone, anyone, to learn what she could about the great Jedi Knight. Sabé only needed to turn on the HoloNet News to catch the latest events. As always, it was entirely glamorised and the truth was so watered down that it was difficult to find it at all. In fact, it was only an unintentional scan of the camera that alerted Sabé to her fears. Skywalker was talking with the reporters, his expression cocky but still stern, when Sabé noticed in the background that Obi-Wan was being placed on a cot and carried away by medical droids. It was all she needed to see.

‘The healers are going to need security to ensure the Separatists don’t take advantage of the situation and capture them for their own purposes. So we’re going to be getting some security to stand by and guard them during their journey like escorts. ‘That’s where you come in,’ Saché explained when Sabé approached her on the matter. ‘Soren-Captain Typho has it all under control. I saw to it that you will board this afternoon.’ Sabé thanked her and the security captain for their quick thinking and was soon departing for the shuttle that would take her to the planet of Geonosis. It would be another two days before she arrived. The medical centre was more like a hodgepodge building held together by old-fashioned nails and tarp. It was makeshift, but it was enough to protect the patients from the elements. It was upon her arrival that Sabé chastised herself for not bringing some holo-novels for him to read. She did not know how long he would stay and wanted to keep him distracted from the horrors he had experienced. Sabé, however, did not forget to bring the small sachet of Paonga tea. If what Rabé used to say was correct, it would help him relax and help with any inflammation of his muscles. In spite of the long years since she last set eyes on the great Jedi Knight, Sabé felt as though time had stood still. The war had aged him and he looked weary, but he was still every bit the young man she met all those years ago. If the doctors were aware of their friendship, they did not say. The fact they respected her unspoken need for privacy was greatly appreciated and Sabé promised herself to thank them later for their kindness. It took all of her strength not to succumb to her concerns and the silent longing she had buried for so long. Obi-Wan was alive and healing. There was hope enough to be found in this truth, so she held onto it. Quietly approaching, she instinctively bowed in silent greeting. She did not know why she did it; it just seemed the right thing to do. ‘Master Jedi Kenobi-’ she began softly before falling silent as she closed her eyes. It was difficult to ignore the weight of his wounds, the pallor of his skin and the many tubes, bandages, and medical equipment that surrounded him. ‘Obi-Wan—I’m so sorry my friend I came as quickly as I could.’ There was so much she wanted to say but the words would not come. It was with great caution she reached out to take his hand in hers, to give it a gentle squeeze. ‘You’re not alone, not anymore,’ she whispered.

<HR>

Even after speaking to Master Windu and Master Yoda over the holocom, Obi-Wan believed that he was back on Coruscant. Perhaps it was the medical droid that often came in to check on him or the way the bacta smelled so familiar. He could still taste it at the back of his throat. It reminded him of the many times he was injured and healing back in the Jedi Temple. There were many occasions when he was younger that such things happened, whether it was a lightsaber injury or learning a new fighting style. Sometimes the other boys and he would rough-house and take things too far, landing them all in the medical wing. The medicine administered to him kept bringing him in and out of consciousness. However, it was always one familiar face that came to the forefront of his thoughts, especially when the pain was almost too hard to bear. Sometimes, he believed she was right there beside him, even though it had been over a decade since he last saw her in person. In his head, it was just yesterday.

Sabé did not know how long she remained by Obi-Wan’s side. The minutes had bled into hours without her ever moving from where she sat. She could feel his pain, the numbness of the drugs that coursed through his veins. She was helpless to end it so she found another way to make his suffering a little more bearable. With a voice that was too soft for the nurses or med droids to hear, Sabé spoke of the past. She recalled with a sad smile the long conversations shared, and admitted that she still had his Padawan braid carefully hidden woven into the ribbons that hung from her blade. Sabé spoke of their time apart, the moments of her life that he had influenced without physically being there. To honour his name and the memory of their friendship, she strove to become the finest head handmaiden the Naboo had ever seen. Sabé would never be a knight, but she could strive to embody the codes of honour that Obi-Wan held so dear. There was no talk of the war, no negative thoughts expressed, only unadulterated gratitude and humble hope.

This time, when he regained consciousness, Sabé was really there and he had a hard time believing it, for the medicine also dulled his sensitivity to the Force. ‘Sabé?’ he asked, his voice light but strained due to the pain it caused his ribs. He blinked his eyes a few times, not believing them. Then he felt her hand in his own as well as the concern riddled in her expression. She was not the smiling young woman from his dreams, but a more mature and elegant form of his dear friend who was very concerned about him. Even without sensing things as clearly as he normally could, he knew her concern was for him and this humbled him. But his thoughts were disjointed and he still believed he was on Coruscant. Was this Naboo? Home? His heart wondered. He was home, wasn’t he? He smiled at her. He squeezed her hand. ‘It’s so good to see you, my lady,’ he softly told her.

His touch was weak, but assuring just as his voice was slightly raspy from lack of use. Sabé instinctively gave a small bow in greeting. The smile of relief she wore did not belie the concern in her eyes. ‘The honour is mine, Master Kenobi,’ she replied. Her cheeks warmed at the sincerity she saw in his blue eyes.

With an apologetic look, she politely excused herself to get him a glass of cold water from the other side of the room. She could only imagine how dry his throat must have felt from his healing sessions in the bacta. Her heart ached at the silent reminders that the noble knight was far from healed. It was as though it were just a few days ago when they sat together in the garden of Theed’s palace, running their bare feet through the grass. It was difficult then to speak of Qui-Gon’s passing, but the whole affair led to two wonderful things: a bright Padawan who was now a Jedi Knight, and a dear friend who he had known would not forget him, even after all of this time. ‘How have you been?’ he asked, hoping that his time away from the frontlines would allow him to spend time with her. He hoped her schedule would not keep her too busy, so that they could make up for lost time. How often he had thought of her! He wondered if she thought of him, but now was not the time to ask about such things.

Upon her return, she heard his question and could not help but shake her head in sad disbelief. Some things never changed. ‘It is I who should be asking you such questions,’ she said before admitting in shy tones that it did her heart good to know that his healing was progressing so well.

‘I am sorry I could not arrive sooner. I took the first transport available,’ she confessed. Sabé did not tell him that until a few days ago she had never taken time off, nor did she admit that she did not fully explain herself or that thankfully Padmé did not inquire.

He shook his head at her apologies. For Obi-Wan, it was just so wonderful to see Sabé again that it was as if no time had passed at all, though it was clear by the fact she had grown so beautiful that time certainly had passed. He studied her with his eyes, since he was not able to move from the medical cot. Her long, brown hair, the curve of her neckline and the little smile lines on her cheeks that he longed to kiss, though he would not dare to ask. Her figure seemed longer than it did before, but it had ben so long, he could have been mistaken. Her figure was also fuller in all the right places and the only thing that was different from his dreams was that she had shoes on her feet, rather than running around barefoot which would be entirely impractical.

With care, she helped him sip on the water and was mindful of his injuries. As she did so, Sabé could not help but study her dear friend. Gone was the inquisitive young man, leaving in its place a wizened noble knight. His blue eyes still held a million mysteries and the peace she had only known from him. The chiselled features of his jaw line was hidden beneath a well-trimmed beard, but Sabé could see the hints of a smile on his lips. The reflection of the boy she knew was in that smile and Sabé promptly realized that he had grown only more dashing with time. Her cheeks warmed to the discovery and she bowed her head startled by the openness of her emotions. It was only in dreams that she allowed herself such thoughts that was until today.

He blushed and grew shy when he realised he was staring at her. ‘I’m sorry-’

‘My apologies,’ she began in shy tones just as he was about to apologize. Sabé’s blush deepened though she could not help but smile. There was a time when they often accidentally interrupted one another only to profusely apologize for it. It was these little moments that she missed most.

‘I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s-been so long, my friend.’ To say she looked well would have been a dreadful understatement, so he couldn’t say more than this.

Sabé shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile. If Obi-Wan registered her watchful gave he was too much a gentleman to speak of it. It was his admittance that mirrored the words of her heart. Sabé fell silent as the weight of his words threatened to wreck havoc on her emotions. This was no dream, no vision of meditation or a trick of her mind. This was real. Overwhelmed by it all, Sabé weakly nodded in reply. She did not trust her emotions not to betray her. ‘What matters is that you are here, safe, and healing. That we have this moment to enjoy and remember,’ she whispered as unshed tears came to her eyes. As much she wished the circumstances were better, Sabé was grateful for what they did have and would never forget this fateful moment in time.

If Obi-Wan had noticed her staring at him, he was too busy studying her to pay it any mind. Her presence was soothing. Her voice, as melodic as he remembered, spoke to him of ordinary things. It didn’t matter what she spoke of, for Obi-Wan just enjoyed being around her again.

Sabé could not recall a day that had gone by when she did not think of her friend or wondered how he was fairing. His memory had given her strength and courage she had not imagined possible. It was his name she sought to honour. Now he was here, very much alive and real. The wonder of it all was almost overwhelming. She had long since accepted the truth that their paths may never cross again. Her only regret was that their reunion had occurred under such dire circumstances. She could only hope that in some small way her presence might provide him a little reprise from the horrors of the war.

----

As the days passed and he started to heal, the doctor wanted him to get out into the open air for a few hours a day. Even though he wasn’t yet able to be on his feet, it was nice to be able to be free of the medical centre. However, what was even better was to able to spend this time with Sabé. He knew that they wouldn’t have much time and he wanted to savour every moment with her. He was able to laugh now, though he had to be conscious about not laughing too hard lest he cause any damage to the repair being done by the bacta and the droids. But he was able to speak now and he told her about everything he had been up to since they last parted.

Sabé’s time with Obi-Wan had done more than just aid in distracting him from the war. It had helped her heal from the loss of her sisters and the turmoil that was transpiring amongst those who remained in Amidala’s service. Her experience in medical labs was limited at best, but Sabé did her best to assist wherever possible. It was the least she could do. The medical personnel had been so kind as to let her remain by his side throughout it all. Sabé never spoke of the lines she had seen on his face when she first arrived or the weight that was clear in his blue eyes. As the days passed, her relief grew as the colour returned to his cheeks and the life in his eyes had returned. It was the sound of his laughter that truly left its mark.

‘There were so many times I thought of you and wished I could speak to you,’ he admitted.

Sabé blushed as he admitted to having thought of her often, but could not deny the humble joy felt upon learning that she was not the only one who missed their friendship. ‘I don’t think there was ever a day that passed when I didn’t find myself longing to talk to you-even if it was about the events of the day, or something I had seen that I thought might interest you. ‘There were so many times I just wanted to see how you were doing, to learn how your Padawan’s training was coming along. I wondered if you still were able to find time to meditate in the old gardens you spoke so fondly of,’ she confessed.

‘How I wish that we had the opportunity to do so.’ Obi-Wan continued, ‘I could sense whenever you were in pain or were feeling under the weather. I wanted to contact you, to see how you were, but I wasn’t sure if you remembered me.’

Sabé shook her head as his expression softened. She risked gently touching his shoulder at he admitted he was not sure she would remember him. ‘How could I ever forget you?’ she said in all sincerity. There were no words to aptly describe how his presence had changed her life forever.

Her gentle touch and the affection in her voice and in her eyes said all that neither of them could say. Even though Obi-Wan had the ability to read Sabé’s emotions through the Force, as he slowly recovered from his wounds, he was so incredibly pleased to hear that she had also been thinking of him. It was selfish, he knew, to wish for, to long for her, after so many years. Of course, he wanted her to be happy more than anything else, but to hear that she also loved him. He would never begin to suggest that he would want her to place her life on hold for him, for the two of them, for the future that might not come to be in this lifetime.

‘I almost wish the HoloNet News would speak of you and the other handmaidens instead of the politics of the senator,’ he said, knowing such things were hardly newsworthy to the public.

Sabé felt a little guilty for being able to keep up with Obi-Wan’s life while he remained ignorant of hers. At the same time, it was a blessing in disguise. Sabé knew how cruel the public could be and often felt frustrated by the slander placed against Obi-Wan’s good name. ‘I’m not sure if a handmaiden’s life would ever be considered news worthy-’ she confessed with a shy smile.

Blushing, the Jedi Knight reached over to his friend in an attempt to catch her hand in his, but due to his injuries and the tight bandages around his midsection, he wasn’t able to reach as far as he intended. Instead, he grasped her waist and blushing, he withdrew his hand. ‘I’m sorry—I meant to hold your hand,’ he explained. At the same time, holding her the way he had on accident felt right to him in a way that the recent manoeuvring of the Jedi in their participation in the war did not.

She was about to withdraw her hand as she did not want to cause offence or appear as being too forward when Obi-Wan accident caught her waist. Her cheeks grew a bright red as she bowed her head feeling suddenly conscious of her close proximity to the noble knight. His touch was not offensive; in fact, it brought a sense of peace only her heart could fully understand. However, Sabé was not a woman of worldly experiences and was uncertain how to politely respond. It was clear that her friend too was as uncertain as she was and his apology made her feel badly. The last thing she wanted was for him to be uncomfortable in her presence.

‘It is all right; I should have been more mindful of your wounds. I’m so sorry,’ she apologized. She felt responsible to touching his healed shoulder as opposed to his wounded one. If she had, he would not have strained himself as he had. The soft whispers of her heart caused her cheeks to grow even rosier. Sabé dreams would later be filled with the memory of his gentle hands holding her near.

He was grateful that he hadn’t unintentionally caused offense to her by his accidental touch. However, he blushed deeper at the thought that he would like to continue holding her in such a way. He shook his head, smiling at their mutual apology. He wanted only to treat her as a proper lady ought to be treated and was glad that she didn’t take it the wrong way.

In spite of the shy gesture, Sabé would later dream of it that night and find peace in the memory of his innocent gesture. Sabé prepared them a pot of Paonga tea for them both before guiding him outside. The hospital did not have such things and it left Sabé grateful that she had brought some of her own. She did not know how long it had been since Obi-Wan had some and hoped that this too would help in some small way.

He was glad that things had not changed and that he was still able to speak as freely with her as he did on the Nubian cruiser during their time on Tatooine. ‘Anakin always curses his homeplanet, but I’ve had only fond memories of Tatooine.’

He admitted also his views on the Jedi Council, the involvement in the war, the missions he had been on and the things he had seen. He knew it wasn’t the brightest part of their long conversations, but she had shared so much with him while he was unable to speak and now he felt it was his turn. He was unaware of the media misconstruing his intentions. ‘It’s not my place to question the Council, but there are, I feel, many evil things this war has brought about. Most of us are trying to protect innocent lives, but I feel that we may lose ourselves in the process. Everything the Jedi stand for seems to be at stake here. ‘The fact that there are now younglings, Jedi younglings, thrust into the middle of battles… It doesn’t sit well with me. Most Padawans traditionally do not face these things.’ She listened in silence as he spoke of the horrors he had witnessed, the shocking revelations of the Council’s decision to send children to the battlefield, the millions of men who had been created solely for the slaughter. It left her speechless with horror at the unspoken weight of it all. The things he spoke of sounded nothing like the Jedi she had come to know at all.

He spoke of Ahsoka and the others. He spoke of the things he saw happening to the other Jedi like Anakin and Ahsoka, the game they played in striking down droids. He told all of this to her and of his desire to put an end to the war.

His conclusion mirrored her own thoughts on the matter. Had Sabé been less of a woman, she might have openly wept for the innocent souls that were being destroyed and eroded away in this war of might. Though she was well aware of how the public saw him, Sabé respected Obi-Wan’s innocence and did not speak of the HoloNet News’ portrayal of him or the awful rumours that was spread in the name of gossip. She knew it would only hurt and humiliate him. It made her heart ache to know that Obi-Wan would eventually be forced back to the front, to live the nightmare that had become his life. However, Sabé was not a woman to dwell on the future and things that could not be undone, so she embraced the day and made the most of it with her dearest friend. Obi-Wan was so thankful to the Force to have this time with his dear friend and to finally be able to get off his chest things that had grown to bother him over the years. Though he was wholeheartedly loyal to the Jedi Order, he couldn’t deny that there were some decisions the Council made that he didn’t completely agree with, ways they handled situations that he didn’t feel were in the best interest of the innocents they swore to protect. However, it was master Yoda’s wisdom that he would inherently listen to. In spite of everything, he would continue to do all that he could to protect the innocent, though he knew he would not be able to save everyone. He apologised for the dark turn in their conversation, though he couldn’t deny how much better he felt now that he was able to talk to her about it. ‘To tell the truth, these past few days have been the happiest I have known in a very long time.’

He knew that she wouldn’t have all of the time in the world to spend with him. He knew that at some point she would have to return to her duties, but Obi-Wan never asked her about it. A part of him didn’t want to know when she would have to leave and deep down, he wished that she never would. It was dark now and the doctor wanted him to come back inside. But Obi-Wan requested just half an hour more so that he could view the stars.

Sabé was grateful to doctor for fulfilling Obi-Wan’s request. She knew he needed the fresh air and this rare moment of peace better than most. She thanked them for their kindness and was soon turning her attentions back to the Jedi Knight.

‘Last time we did so it was on Tatooine, remember?’ He smiled at her before turning his eyes to the stars. She smiled at his recollection as her eyes drifted to the night sky. The positions of the stars were so different here, but no less beautiful. ‘I remember how beautiful it was, how the night seemed to cover the sky like a blanket,’ she said softly, ‘much like tonight I should think,’ she added.

He enjoyed the familiar tea, the one that they enjoyed so many years ago though it seemed like just yesterday. She spoke of the stars and this too caused his memory to recall the few nights they shared together on Tatooine, enjoying the beauty of the constellations which were so much brighter there on their long, dark nights.

‘Sometimes, when I’m meditating to clear my head,’ Obi-Wan continued softly. ‘In these meditations, I sometimes see visions. I’m not sure if it is a possible future or if it’s just dreams, but I saw myself as a farmer, cultivating plants and animals…and there is a garden…and you are always there.’

Sabé’s eyes grew wide. For a moment, she fell silent, uncertain what to say or how to confirm that she too had shared these very visions. Such things were always changing and she never took them too seriously. This discovery was humbling and for a moment she could not help but wonder if for those brief moments in time their minds had touched through the Force, enabling them to unwittingly share their dreams. After a moment’s pause, she broke the silence. ‘I know this might sound a little disconcerting,but what you speak of I have also seen in my meditations,’ Sabé confessed. She was grateful for the dark as it hid her warming cheeks.

‘I don’t want to seem too forward or to cause offense, my lady,’ Obi-Wan softly began, ‘but I believe this—these shared experiences only confirm what I have thought for a very long time, ever since we first met…I believe our souls are linked, that we share a unique bond, one that unlike a Master and Padawan bond, cannot be severed over time or distance. I don’t know if I started this by accident when I was but a Padawan myself, but I cannot believe that the Force didn’t will it, for our meeting was not by chance.’

Sabé briefly bowed her head as he referred to her as my lady. The subtle reference of title was touching and it humbled and honoured her. The explanation that followed was even more touching and humbling. She met his gaze, her expression a mix of hope, humility, and joy. It was as though she had been granted a wish only her heart had ever considered.

He was hardly a gifted poet by any means, nor did he believe that as the media-titled Negotiator that he had any gift with words, but he hoped that this explanation as far-fetched as it may sound to others, would at least aid in conveying the true feelings in his heart. To admit he loved his friend in a way that went outside of the Order’s allowable emotions would be selling their friendship short. He respected her too much to cause such an offense. In his heart, he knew now that he would, if it came to it, serve her as a knight would properly serve a lady, until his dying breath. Everything he did and the titles he earned were to honour her. Even though he was still healing, Obi-Wan lowered to one knee before her, requesting, ‘I believe the Force brought you into my life for a purpose beyond our understanding. May I have the honour of serving the will of the Force through you as I have done so without asking you properly for so many years?’

Before Sabé had a chance to stop her friend Obi-Wan was on one knee. She wanted to warn him against pushing himself, but the Jedi Master had something else on his mind. In stunned silence, Sabé studied Obi-Wan intently feeling as though she had entered one of the legends she had memorized as a child. Only this moment was real and the knight was none other than her beloved friend and the heroine was none other than her. His words were unconsciously put to memory and would become a mantra during times of trouble. ‘I would be honoured, Master Jedi,’ she whispered in all sincerity as her hand fell to his shoulder. Her eyes held his own gaze, filled with all the love she felt, but could not say. Obi-Wan knew that Sabé understood and this, too, touched his heart. When she accepted, he kissed her hand in gratitude.

Her hands soon slipped to his cheeks as she bowed her head and shyly spoke. ‘If it pleases you, Master Jedi, it would give me such pleasure to honour your name through my services as milady’s handmaiden, as I too have done so for years without ever properly asking your permission?’

What he didn’t expect was to hear her request, that she too had also been honouring him through her service as a handmaiden. With blushing cheeks he nodded his acceptance.

------

The next morning, he arose early to meditate before preparing to leave. He didn’t have to tell Sabé because he could tell by looking in her eyes that she knew it was time. He knew that this time things would be different for them. ‘Joy will always be found whenever I think on you and the time we shared here together. Your presence helped me heal in more ways than the medical treatments ever could. I won’t forget this in the days to come.’ For some reason, as he headed to ship that would take him back to war, Obi-Wan paused as a feeling of dread overcame him. Something was not right and he couldn’t put his finger on it. Something bad was going to happen, though he wasn’t sure when or what it was. He remembered his old master’s words about focusing on the present. He needed to do so lest he put other people’s lives in danger. Looking back at Sabé, he felt a familiar longing enter his soul, a longing that would have been heartbreaking to any other individual. He asked the pilot to give him a moment and went to give Sabé a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It was the first time he dared to kiss her, but in that moment, it felt perfect. He knew that she wouldn’t misinterpret it, but understand that it spoke of their friendship as well as deep desires that would have to wait until a war’s end and a re-examining of Jedi values to be explored. ‘May the Force be with you, my lady,’ he whispered. And with that, he was off once more. But this time, in spite of the pain at their parting, his spirits were far lighter than they had been in many years. The war would one day end and on that day, a new life for them would begin.

#sobiwan #obi-wan kenobi #sabé

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