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Why couldn't it be a pleasure? Luke wondered vaguely, knowing it was merely politeness and that his own response was out of proportion. The injury, the familiarity with things now fondly remembered, and this odd feeling of at homeness with the other man were on his side, simply a heightened reaction to trauma. And he--
"Ben?" He faltered in his step, staring up at the man and searching the unlined face with his breath caught in his lungs. The resemblance was uncanny, now that he was allowing himself to see it and not just dismissing the coincidence of location. The voice, the eyes, the very presence of him. Impossible or not, this could be no one but Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anything else was even more unthinkable.
But what did it mean? A clone? A dream? A trick from some dark power, to lure him into a trap?
Whatever it was, he could not explain it, and so perhaps taking a leaf from Ben's old playbook he shook it off and forced a tight smile.
"I knew someone of that name," he offered by way of explanation. "He ... meant a lot to me."
"Ben?" He faltered in his step, staring up at the man and searching the unlined face with his breath caught in his lungs. The resemblance was uncanny, now that he was allowing himself to see it and not just dismissing the coincidence of location. The voice, the eyes, the very presence of him. Impossible or not, this could be no one but Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anything else was even more unthinkable.
But what did it mean? A clone? A dream? A trick from some dark power, to lure him into a trap?
Whatever it was, he could not explain it, and so perhaps taking a leaf from Ben's old playbook he shook it off and forced a tight smile.
"I knew someone of that name," he offered by way of explanation. "He ... meant a lot to me."
Obi-Wan’s barely gotten Jacen seated when the younger man allows himself to fall into a healing trance, trusting that he’s safe for the time being. He opens himself up to the Force, letting it fill him, revitalize him; the pain he can still take, but he’s well aware his body’s reaching its limits.
He begins to go still. He feels the cool cloth on his head, and later on the glass of water in his hand. He surfaces from his trance, just enough to do as he’s instructed, sipping the water gratefully.
Then he leans back against the chair and back into the Force’s embrace, drawing from it once more, like drinking water. But he lifts his head a little to look at the older man, curiousity in his eyes. He’s not quite sure — he just might be delirious — but for a moment there it‘s like he could feel his rescuer, burning bright and strong in the Force.
He begins to go still. He feels the cool cloth on his head, and later on the glass of water in his hand. He surfaces from his trance, just enough to do as he’s instructed, sipping the water gratefully.
Then he leans back against the chair and back into the Force’s embrace, drawing from it once more, like drinking water. But he lifts his head a little to look at the older man, curiousity in his eyes. He’s not quite sure — he just might be delirious — but for a moment there it‘s like he could feel his rescuer, burning bright and strong in the Force.
Pausing in his ministrations, a look of apprehension flashes across Obi-Wan's face as he feels-- something from Jacen. Almost... that flare of recognition on Force-user gets from another...
Yes, there it is, and now that Obi-Wan is paying closer attention, he realizes Jacen hasn't fallen unconscious because of heatstroke and injury, he's putting himself into a healing trance. Of course, it's possible he stumbled on the ability by accident, and is untrained in how to use the Force - but it's much more likely that someone has trained him. Which means...
...What, exactly? That not all hope is lost. That he has to make sure Jacen is taken care of. The more full Jedi available when the time comes, the better to take Emperor Palpatine down.
Placing his hand on Jacen's neck, feeling the warmth slowly seeping into the cool wet cloth from the boy's skin, Obi-Wan adds just a little of his own healing - he's never been particularly good at Force healing, but he's passable - and murmurs, "Rest. We'll attend to anything else later."
Yes, there it is, and now that Obi-Wan is paying closer attention, he realizes Jacen hasn't fallen unconscious because of heatstroke and injury, he's putting himself into a healing trance. Of course, it's possible he stumbled on the ability by accident, and is untrained in how to use the Force - but it's much more likely that someone has trained him. Which means...
...What, exactly? That not all hope is lost. That he has to make sure Jacen is taken care of. The more full Jedi available when the time comes, the better to take Emperor Palpatine down.
Placing his hand on Jacen's neck, feeling the warmth slowly seeping into the cool wet cloth from the boy's skin, Obi-Wan adds just a little of his own healing - he's never been particularly good at Force healing, but he's passable - and murmurs, "Rest. We'll attend to anything else later."
Luke's reaction made Obi-Wan falter slightly again. "Yes, and I know someone named Luke," he supplied. "Though he's nowhere near your age. I'd ask where your Ben is - but if you are who I think, then I can probably hazard a guess what happened to him."
He's under no illusions how his life would end. It was rather disconcerting to meet someone who knew conclusively, though. And Luke had to know that he's dead, for he said 'meant' a lot to him. Past tense was always a clear indication of whether someone was still among the living.
He's under no illusions how his life would end. It was rather disconcerting to meet someone who knew conclusively, though. And Luke had to know that he's dead, for he said 'meant' a lot to him. Past tense was always a clear indication of whether someone was still among the living.
There's only the briefest pause, wherein Obi-Wan softens, droops just a little, before taking Padmé's hand, giving her a smile that reflects how he feels more fully; sad, bittersweet, but thankful for her presence.
"They'll be all right." He means it won't hurt to let them sleep unaccompanied for a little while, but realizes after he's said it that he's also reassuring her about the future. He doesn't know it for certain, and shies away from any visions he has, but he believes that between the two of them, they can protect the children. At least until they're old enouh to protect themselves.
"They'll be all right." He means it won't hurt to let them sleep unaccompanied for a little while, but realizes after he's said it that he's also reassuring her about the future. He doesn't know it for certain, and shies away from any visions he has, but he believes that between the two of them, they can protect the children. At least until they're old enouh to protect themselves.
She squeezes his hand, grateful. "I'm sure they will be. I just. I don't know if I'm ready for them to be away from me." There's a small, sad smile to the words. "It's funny, I wanted a family so much..." And she still did, but oh the cost has been high.
"I'm glad you're here."
"I'm glad you're here."
"I promise, I'm not going anywhere." He wraps an arm around Padmé's shoulders, pulling her into an abbreviated hug. "And we will look after them. You don't have to be ready yet, or for many years to come."
He hesitated for a moment. "I promise, I will do all in my power to keep them safe. To keep all of you safe." He did not make promises lightly, but this was one he would do everything he could to keep.
He hesitated for a moment. "I promise, I will do all in my power to keep them safe. To keep all of you safe." He did not make promises lightly, but this was one he would do everything he could to keep.
His hug my be abbreviated but her's is not, leaning into his shoulder, arms around his back and chest. With her abdomen still round and recovering from childbirth but the weight of it gone (and the roundness much smaller than she had been), she feel so small against him.
"It's different. You didn't feel them move within you, their kicks and turns, their hiccups. With them born, I almost feel empty." Some of that, no doubt, was due to Anakin's lack in her life. "And then I look at them, and it's almost as if I will burst for the love I feel."
As they spoke, Padmé leading them away from Obi-Wan's project, as he spoke his promise, Padmé's tone softened. "I know you will. But if something happens...if it's me or them. It's them. It will always be them."
"It's different. You didn't feel them move within you, their kicks and turns, their hiccups. With them born, I almost feel empty." Some of that, no doubt, was due to Anakin's lack in her life. "And then I look at them, and it's almost as if I will burst for the love I feel."
As they spoke, Padmé leading them away from Obi-Wan's project, as he spoke his promise, Padmé's tone softened. "I know you will. But if something happens...if it's me or them. It's them. It will always be them."
Being sent to various planets scattered throughout the system certainly wasn't anything new. It happened a lot and far too often for Anakin's liking. He wished the war would just end -- with their victory of course. So many lives were already lost and each new mission seemed to take him farther and farther away from her. He tried not to let his thoughts linger too long as he stared out the window of the republic's temporary base.
The land was desolate and cold. Mostly cold. Another thing Anakin did not like.
"I'm never agreeing to come to a planet like this ever again. Why is it always some place frozen? Are they trying to turn me into an icicle? For once, I'd just like to go some place warm for a change."
He spoke to no one in particular and paced in front of the window a little bit. That leads to another thing Anakin disliked: waiting.
The land was desolate and cold. Mostly cold. Another thing Anakin did not like.
"I'm never agreeing to come to a planet like this ever again. Why is it always some place frozen? Are they trying to turn me into an icicle? For once, I'd just like to go some place warm for a change."
He spoke to no one in particular and paced in front of the window a little bit. That leads to another thing Anakin disliked: waiting.
There was a pause, a hesitation as she said that, before Obi-Wan solemnly nodded. He wouldn't outright lie to Padmé, and if it came down to it, he would protect the twins at any cost - but he refused to give voice to the dire promise, when he would do all in his power to protect her as well.
"For now though, we're safe," he assured her. "Let's try to take it one day at a time, for now. As much as we can, anyway." He was very aware that they had to plan for all eventualities, had to keep looking and moving forward, one step ahead of the new Empire. But getting away from the (frustrating) alarm system-in-progress, he didn't want to keep thinking about dire consequences, for just a little bit.
"We've got shelter, food - built-in double alarm clocks," he joked, referring to the twins' ability to seemingly tell time in 2-4 hour intervals and wailing accordingly for food, attention, nappie change, or a combination of the three.
"For now though, we're safe," he assured her. "Let's try to take it one day at a time, for now. As much as we can, anyway." He was very aware that they had to plan for all eventualities, had to keep looking and moving forward, one step ahead of the new Empire. But getting away from the (frustrating) alarm system-in-progress, he didn't want to keep thinking about dire consequences, for just a little bit.
"We've got shelter, food - built-in double alarm clocks," he joked, referring to the twins' ability to seemingly tell time in 2-4 hour intervals and wailing accordingly for food, attention, nappie change, or a combination of the three.
Really, she knows that and doesn't need it said. Except she does, even in his taciturn way, and relieved, she turned back against Obi-Wan, leaning heavily against him, sniffling for a moment. "Thank you." It's less than whispered, more air with the barest hint of word, but relief colored her regardless and some the tension she was feeling slipped away.
"A month ago I thought I was safe. I was planning how to set up the nursery, trying to figure out how to explain my deception to you. My parents, my sister, they would have understood. Maybe not approved, but I've always done things my own way. But I've been lying to you for a long time, and I've felt so guilty. Now, you're the only friend I have left, and I don't know what I'd do without you. Or them." Which is to say, she's felt guilty, but not really sorry for her deception or plotting behind his back over Anakin. She loved him then, and even now she hasn't stopped, even if she was sure he'd shattered her heart beyond repair.
But his joke at least made her laugh, even as she wipes at her face. "You know, I seem to remember my sister swearing newborns slept a lot. Guess no one told them."
"A month ago I thought I was safe. I was planning how to set up the nursery, trying to figure out how to explain my deception to you. My parents, my sister, they would have understood. Maybe not approved, but I've always done things my own way. But I've been lying to you for a long time, and I've felt so guilty. Now, you're the only friend I have left, and I don't know what I'd do without you. Or them." Which is to say, she's felt guilty, but not really sorry for her deception or plotting behind his back over Anakin. She loved him then, and even now she hasn't stopped, even if she was sure he'd shattered her heart beyond repair.
But his joke at least made her laugh, even as she wipes at her face. "You know, I seem to remember my sister swearing newborns slept a lot. Guess no one told them."
He may not have been speaking to anyone in particular, but Obi-Wan answers anyway from the doorway behind opposite the window Anakin is pacing by.
"Any time we go to a warm planet, you complain as well. Too hot, too humid, or too much like Tatooine. I'm beginning to think you just like complaining for the sake of it."
Teasing his once-Padawan brother-in-arms accomplished, Obi-Wan moves further into the room, standing squarely in the path Anakin has been trying to wear into the floor. Either the young Jedi will have to stop, change his path significantly to go around him, or mow Obi-Wan down.
He almost hopes for the last option: Anakin isn't the only one who dislikes waiting, at least in circumstances such as these. Obi-Wan is just better at hiding it. But if Anakin makes an issue of his position, they could have a bit of a tussle, and both of them could relieve some tension.
"Any time we go to a warm planet, you complain as well. Too hot, too humid, or too much like Tatooine. I'm beginning to think you just like complaining for the sake of it."
Teasing his once-Padawan brother-in-arms accomplished, Obi-Wan moves further into the room, standing squarely in the path Anakin has been trying to wear into the floor. Either the young Jedi will have to stop, change his path significantly to go around him, or mow Obi-Wan down.
He almost hopes for the last option: Anakin isn't the only one who dislikes waiting, at least in circumstances such as these. Obi-Wan is just better at hiding it. But if Anakin makes an issue of his position, they could have a bit of a tussle, and both of them could relieve some tension.
"Oh come on, Master, I only complain when it's true."
Anakin doesn't look over, but continues his stare down with the window. So he doesn't notice Obi-Wan step into his path.
"Besides. The only upside is unlike Tatoonie there is no sand and you know how much I ha--"
And there it is. His thoughts were still in pieces, his mind elsewhere on someone else. His gaze snaps on the Master Jedi just he collides right into him.
Anakin doesn't look over, but continues his stare down with the window. So he doesn't notice Obi-Wan step into his path.
"Besides. The only upside is unlike Tatoonie there is no sand and you know how much I ha--"
And there it is. His thoughts were still in pieces, his mind elsewhere on someone else. His gaze snaps on the Master Jedi just he collides right into him.
Jacen doesn’t know how long it’s been when he finally surfaces from his trance, but he’s certain, at least, that he feels much better. He has several cuts and bruises, but that and his other injuries aren’t life-threatening.
He opens his eyes and quietly takes a look around, not daring to move anything else but his eyes, at least for the moment. He’s in some sort of hut, small but certainly occupied; the chair he’s sitting on is padded, comfortable, and there’s a small table beside him, on top of which is a half-full glass of water. Suddenly reminded of his thirst, he makes himself straighten up in his seat so he could reach for the glass, and when he can’t quite get a hold of it, he uses the Force to pull it towards him just a teensy bit.
Who’s using the Force as a tool now? he thinks, and he could almost hear Anakin mocking him for his hypocrisy.
He drinks greedily — nearly choking on the first attempt — and as he does so, he tries to remember how he’d gotten here, what happened before he’d crawled out of the wreckage of the crash. But still nothing comes to mind.
So he’s marooned on some desert planet. Well, he’s been through worse.
He opens his eyes and quietly takes a look around, not daring to move anything else but his eyes, at least for the moment. He’s in some sort of hut, small but certainly occupied; the chair he’s sitting on is padded, comfortable, and there’s a small table beside him, on top of which is a half-full glass of water. Suddenly reminded of his thirst, he makes himself straighten up in his seat so he could reach for the glass, and when he can’t quite get a hold of it, he uses the Force to pull it towards him just a teensy bit.
Who’s using the Force as a tool now? he thinks, and he could almost hear Anakin mocking him for his hypocrisy.
He drinks greedily — nearly choking on the first attempt — and as he does so, he tries to remember how he’d gotten here, what happened before he’d crawled out of the wreckage of the crash. But still nothing comes to mind.
So he’s marooned on some desert planet. Well, he’s been through worse.
Just as Obi-Wan realizes that Anakin hasn't seen him, and before he can do more than open his mouth in warning, the young man's swift pace has them bouncing off each other. Obi-Wan is barely able to catch himself from falling on his ass, and once he steadies and rights himself, he starts laughing.
They're both far too tense, honestly. While of course there is a war raging, it's not good to be so keyed-up all the time; a little humor injected into things to lighten up from time to time is good for them. Especially if it's at their own expense.
They're both far too tense, honestly. While of course there is a war raging, it's not good to be so keyed-up all the time; a little humor injected into things to lighten up from time to time is good for them. Especially if it's at their own expense.
It's been several hours - the twin suns are beginning to set, and the relentless heat is becoming more bearable - so Obi-Wan had gone out to do one last perimeter sweep. When he returns, he discovers Jacen is awake again, and has discovered the water he'd left out.
"I see you're awake. I hope you're feeling better, now."
Moving into the interior of the hut, Obi-Wan unobtrusively keeps his eye on the young man as he moves about, disgarding his brown outer robe, getting himself a glass of water, refilling Jacen's. All of his movements are loose and easy, for all the world looking carefree and not worried in the slightest about the stray he's allowed into his home.
You're becoming as bad as your old Master, he chides himself, only half-amused, picking up strays and tending to them.
"I see you're awake. I hope you're feeling better, now."
Moving into the interior of the hut, Obi-Wan unobtrusively keeps his eye on the young man as he moves about, disgarding his brown outer robe, getting himself a glass of water, refilling Jacen's. All of his movements are loose and easy, for all the world looking carefree and not worried in the slightest about the stray he's allowed into his home.
You're becoming as bad as your old Master, he chides himself, only half-amused, picking up strays and tending to them.
He has to force himself to continue walking--hobbling, really, the leg is really in quite a lot of pain--as Ben indicates he knows exactly what's going on. Or, anyway, suspects the same impossible thing Luke does. He pales under the sheen of sweat, biting his lip as he leans a bit on the other man to get his bearings, but soon they're making decent progress, falling into a rhythm.
Maybe that process is sufficient cover for Luke's confusion and shock. How is it possible? And yet, is it any stranger than any other explanation, which relies too heavily on coincidence and long odds? He probably shouldn't have said that, he realizes too late. About knowing someone, about him having meant a lot. It gave away too much.
But he's not sure he's ready to talk about that, or even to acknowledge the truth. It would mean having to do something about it, and that's a level of forethought he doesn't feel equipped for at the moment.
"I think we should focus on the immediate," he says after a pause, almost laughing at how that recalls Yoda's admonition of his need to always chase the future. Well, maybe he has learned something. Or maybe his brain just can't process that this young man could actually be Ben Kenobi.
He never would've guessed red hair, he notices distractedly.
Maybe that process is sufficient cover for Luke's confusion and shock. How is it possible? And yet, is it any stranger than any other explanation, which relies too heavily on coincidence and long odds? He probably shouldn't have said that, he realizes too late. About knowing someone, about him having meant a lot. It gave away too much.
But he's not sure he's ready to talk about that, or even to acknowledge the truth. It would mean having to do something about it, and that's a level of forethought he doesn't feel equipped for at the moment.
"I think we should focus on the immediate," he says after a pause, almost laughing at how that recalls Yoda's admonition of his need to always chase the future. Well, maybe he has learned something. Or maybe his brain just can't process that this young man could actually be Ben Kenobi.
He never would've guessed red hair, he notices distractedly.
Anakin and Obi-Wan ending up into some sort of weird tumble was far from a strange occurrence. He, himself, almost completely fell over. Maybe they both needed to lighten up a bit.
"Master, how many times have I told you to stop standing in my way. Sometimes I think you just want me to run you over."
If anything Obi-Wan distracted him from complaining about the cold. It probably won't last long, but it's a start.
"Master, how many times have I told you to stop standing in my way. Sometimes I think you just want me to run you over."
If anything Obi-Wan distracted him from complaining about the cold. It probably won't last long, but it's a start.
Luke's words pull a teasing grin from Obi-Wan, but he's sensed Luke's confusion, and so refrains from looking at him as he responds, giving him the illusion of privacy, if nothing else. "Spoken like every master Jedi who had the misfortune of teaching me."
"Until you came along, my 'immediate' was a whole lot of sand and waiting. Something I think you might be familiar with, if--" he stops himself though, and shakes his head. He really isn't fishing for information on the future - and that's what they're skirting around, isn't it, as unlikely as it seems at first - but mentioning Owen Lars's absolute refusal to let him teach Luke, something he doesn't imagine the other man will let up on unless circumstances become extremely dire.
"I suppose you're right, though. The immediate would be, getting out of the sun, and seeing to that leg. I'm not much of a healer, sadly. You'll have to stay off it for a while, or risk limping for the rest of your life."
"Until you came along, my 'immediate' was a whole lot of sand and waiting. Something I think you might be familiar with, if--" he stops himself though, and shakes his head. He really isn't fishing for information on the future - and that's what they're skirting around, isn't it, as unlikely as it seems at first - but mentioning Owen Lars's absolute refusal to let him teach Luke, something he doesn't imagine the other man will let up on unless circumstances become extremely dire.
"I suppose you're right, though. The immediate would be, getting out of the sun, and seeing to that leg. I'm not much of a healer, sadly. You'll have to stay off it for a while, or risk limping for the rest of your life."
Obi-Wan has no way to respond to most of what she says; anything he can think of, even if he had good intentions in saying it, has the potential to make her sad or angry. Instead, he merely wraps his arms around her for a moment in comfort and understanding. He doesn't like the deception both of them had created, but in the grand scheme of things, it's the lowest on his list of issues. What's done is done, and all they can do now is move forward.
"Your sister's children most probably weren't nearly as Force-sensitive as these two. Which makes them sensitive in general. I remember sometimes as punishment while I was still an apprentice, if we were at the Temple, I was assigned shifts in the creche. It was bizarre to have moments of absolute solitude, only to be suddenly disrupted by twenty infants and small ones all crying at what seemed to be the exact same moment. There was a reason we had 4 Jedi per shift to take care of them all." Truth be told, it often felt like even having twice that many wouldn't have been sufficient.
He'd hated that assignment, even while he'd rather enjoyed playing with the children old enough to verbalize. But now he misses it. And finds he's unbelievably grateful that, no matter how they came to this place, that he gets to once again take care of children.
"Your sister's children most probably weren't nearly as Force-sensitive as these two. Which makes them sensitive in general. I remember sometimes as punishment while I was still an apprentice, if we were at the Temple, I was assigned shifts in the creche. It was bizarre to have moments of absolute solitude, only to be suddenly disrupted by twenty infants and small ones all crying at what seemed to be the exact same moment. There was a reason we had 4 Jedi per shift to take care of them all." Truth be told, it often felt like even having twice that many wouldn't have been sufficient.
He'd hated that assignment, even while he'd rather enjoyed playing with the children old enough to verbalize. But now he misses it. And finds he's unbelievably grateful that, no matter how they came to this place, that he gets to once again take care of children.
"And how many times have I told you to always pay attention to your surroundings?" The mock-stern, expectant look on his face is hard to maintain, as Obi-Wan wants to do nothing more than start laughing again. "Perhaps it is you who wishes to run me over, and you're merely using distraction as an excuse to get away with it."
Luke holds his breath a moment, until Ben stops himself, and he's not sure whether he's relieved or disappointed. It'd be nice, after all, to get it out, to have something other than his leg to think about, but he's also not sure yet what his response will be, so it's just as well.
Now the word 'Jedi' is out there, as if there was ever any doubt. But just what else is the other man assuming?
He huffs in irritation and un-Jedi-like impatience at Ben's prescription. He can't afford any lingering weakness, not with his life. And he's eager to hang on to his remaining limbs.
"Meaning you're getting a houseguest, and my ship's repairs are going to take awhile," he grumbles, and then backpedals quickly. "Not that I should assume, I mean... That is, if it's all right--if this is what I think, it's not exactly... safe for me to go anywhere."
In more ways than one.
Now the word 'Jedi' is out there, as if there was ever any doubt. But just what else is the other man assuming?
He huffs in irritation and un-Jedi-like impatience at Ben's prescription. He can't afford any lingering weakness, not with his life. And he's eager to hang on to his remaining limbs.
"Meaning you're getting a houseguest, and my ship's repairs are going to take awhile," he grumbles, and then backpedals quickly. "Not that I should assume, I mean... That is, if it's all right--if this is what I think, it's not exactly... safe for me to go anywhere."
In more ways than one.
The embrace is probably more welcome than words anyway, Obi-Wan's form solid and warm, more present than turbulent emotions or now dead dreams. And so she stays, leaning against his shoulder until he's willing to break the contact.
"Four Jedi for twenty infants and little ones sounds like not enough. Though it is sad that such an assignment was used for punishment, I always liked helping my sister with her children when I was home." Which wasn't nearly as often as she would have liked, now that she had two of her own to care for, and her mother, sister, grandparents, cousins, all so far away.
"I wasn't going to hand my child over to the creche. That's why I didn't tell you I was expecting. I didn't want to put you in the middle. Or hurt you." She makes the confession quietly, but there's no wavering in her voice, her mind long made up. It was a privilege of social rank, even if, considering Palpatine, one that wasn't always a great idea, to be able to refuse a 'request' from the Jedi.
"Four Jedi for twenty infants and little ones sounds like not enough. Though it is sad that such an assignment was used for punishment, I always liked helping my sister with her children when I was home." Which wasn't nearly as often as she would have liked, now that she had two of her own to care for, and her mother, sister, grandparents, cousins, all so far away.
"I wasn't going to hand my child over to the creche. That's why I didn't tell you I was expecting. I didn't want to put you in the middle. Or hurt you." She makes the confession quietly, but there's no wavering in her voice, her mind long made up. It was a privilege of social rank, even if, considering Palpatine, one that wasn't always a great idea, to be able to refuse a 'request' from the Jedi.
Jacen sets the glass down carefully, not quite trusting himself to have enough strength yet, and turns to look at Obi-Wan, nodding gratefully. “Thank you.” And, almost as an afterthought, he adds, with a small smile, “Sir.”
He watches as the older man moves around the hut; he doesn’t have to reach out with the Force to feel how calm and unfazed Obi-Wan is, all things considered. “And I’m sorry for the trouble. I’ll be on my way as soon as I’m able.”
Right, he tells himself, wincing inwardly. As if it’s that easy. With the Yuuzhan Vong war in full force, it’s not going to be easy finding transport. He doesn’t even know where he has to go — because, accepting his death to be inevitable, he didn’t even bother to ask Ganner for his family’s whereabouts when they’d met.
He watches as the older man moves around the hut; he doesn’t have to reach out with the Force to feel how calm and unfazed Obi-Wan is, all things considered. “And I’m sorry for the trouble. I’ll be on my way as soon as I’m able.”
Right, he tells himself, wincing inwardly. As if it’s that easy. With the Yuuzhan Vong war in full force, it’s not going to be easy finding transport. He doesn’t even know where he has to go — because, accepting his death to be inevitable, he didn’t even bother to ask Ganner for his family’s whereabouts when they’d met.
The backpedaling takes Obi-Wan more by surprise than the assumption itself, and he glances at Luke with slightly raised brows. "In this instance, your assumption is entirely correct. Not only would it probably not be safe for you elsewhere - but, let's be frank, where else would you go?" His tone is gentle even as his words are blunt. "You don't know this galaxy. The one you're familiar with is at least 15 years in the future."
"Now," his tone turns brisk and business-like again. "Almost there, I'll help you get settled and go back for--" And that's when Obi-Wan remembers thinking the R2 unit seemed familiar, but had decided it was merely similar to the one he was so used to. "R2-D2?" He hazards the guess, unsure which will upset him more: that it isn't the same droid - or that it is.
"Now," his tone turns brisk and business-like again. "Almost there, I'll help you get settled and go back for--" And that's when Obi-Wan remembers thinking the R2 unit seemed familiar, but had decided it was merely similar to the one he was so used to. "R2-D2?" He hazards the guess, unsure which will upset him more: that it isn't the same droid - or that it is.
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