Mun has anxiety over Ahsoka's fate.

[bewareyourheart]

I honestly have no idea why you're getting so hung up about this, Mun.

I'm never gonna turn to the Dark Side. And even if I did, why the hell would I ever kill Snips? Nothing's gonna hurt her if I have anything to say about it. In fact, I can promise you that I'll be the one who's keeping her safe if things turn out as bad as you think they will.

Which they won't, 'cause I don't plan on allowing it.

You worry too much.

Comments

[padme_amidala]

Ani... ( She's not sure what to say. )

1/2

[bewareyourheart]

Padme!

[He starts to break into a wide grin upon seeing her, and moves forward for an embrace. But he senses the hesitation in her words, sees the look on her face, and stops short.]

2/2

[bewareyourheart]

...What's wrong?

[padme_amidala]

( She will always welcome an embrace from him. There are times she feels downright cold without him by her side. How can she blame someone she loves so much for what happens in the future? Anakin is a victim too and she knows he does the right thing in the end. )

It's nothing. ( Her smile is as reassuring as she can make it. ) I have faith in you.

[bewareyourheart]

[he knows that she's lying, and it makes a part of him want to scream. he tries not to let his agitation affect his tone, with limited success.]

Right. Of course you do.

[padme_amidala]

( She pales and reaches up to stroke over his cheek. )

I always have and I always will. Nothing can change that.

[bewareyourheart]

[he stiffens at first, then all but melts into the touch.]

I...

[he wishes he could believe it. he wishes he deserved her faith.]

That means a lot, Padme. Really.

[padme_amidala]

( His hesitation is enough for her to initiate the embrace. She holds him as close as she can, unable to stop herself from shaking. )

Don't be afraid to tell me what's on your mind, Ani. I won't judge you.

[bewareyourheart]

[he's shaking too, and it takes him a few long moments to say:]

You said that you didn't feel safe. After I...

[he takes a deep breath.]

You have to know that I'd never hurt you. I couldn't. Without you, I may as well be nothing.

[padme_amidala]

( Her hand moves over his back, trying to give him comfort. The truth is, she isn't sure what to do or say. She knows a dark future awaits him and, for once, she feels entirely hopeless to stop it. )

I want to go away with you. We can start a family and remain safe.

( She knows what his answer will be, but she has to try. )

Every decision we make; every step we take is dangerous. The only way to elude all of it is to leave.

I'll go with you. Anywhere. You're the only one that matters to me.

[bewareyourheart]

I can't, Padme. Not until the war is over.

[padme_amidala]

What if I told you I was from your future?

[bewareyourheart]

[indulgently:]

Well, I guess I've seen stranger things. And this place does kinda remind me of Mortis.

[silentrunning]

[Her mun is chortling and she peered in to see why.]

... ... ...

[And then she sees what you said.]

I think... your mun may be right.

[Hope you don't mind noncanonmates but I'm a huge Star Wars fan and this is the best post I've seen all day.]

YAY CHELL. give me all the crossovers!

[bewareyourheart]

Except that she really isn't.

I SHALL!!!

[silentrunning]

[She thinks for a minute. How should she tell you....]

My mun is fond of a series of these movie things, and in them there is a man with the same name as you... your name is Anakin Skywalker is it not? And this man eventually turns to the Dark Side of the Force... And it is rumored his padawan did so before him.

[She looks saddened by this fact.]

[BTW, Anakin mun, I'm so hung up on Ahsoka's fate. We should be hung up and teary eyed together?]

Re: I SHALL!!!

[bewareyourheart]

Well then, these "movie things" are wrong. Ahsoka's even less likely to turn to the Dark Side than I am.

[...]

Which is to say, it's not likely at all.

Re: I SHALL!!!

[silentrunning]

[She nods.]

I hope she's wrong...

[Even though she knows better.]

Tell me about Snips? That's an interesting name.

[bewareyourheart]

Uh. She's my Apprentice?

[bitterly:] Well, she was my Apprentice.

[silentrunning]

[She's listening...]

What happened?

[She's looking at you concerned.]

[bewareyourheart]

[He looks at Chell suspiciously.]

What's it to you?

[silentrunning]

[She realizes she's touched a sore spot, and raises a hand in peace.]

Just curious. Forgive me? I've been out of the testing facility for about a year now, but... I still don't always grasp tact.

[bewareyourheart]

[behold: anakin skywalker is a raging hypocrite]

What do you mean by "testing facility"?

[silentrunning]

[Chell doesn't mind. Tact is a useless skill.]

I was trapped in a testing facility, testing a very valuable piece of equipment worth more than all the organs and incomes of everybody in my home town. It created holes in space, basically.

[She's tried to explain the ASHPD before, can you tell?]

Anyhow, before last year, I had not seen sunlight or grass since I was maybe six. And the whole thing was ruled by an evil AI who wanted me dead... for science.

But now. Information for information. Why's Snips no longer your apprentice?

[Welp, if he doesn't have tact, she won't either, again. And she really wants to know. Good luck dodging her, Anakin.]

[bewareyourheart]

[that reminds him a little too much of stuff he's seen pulled by the Separatists, right down to a droid being in charge. but he does chuckle at that last part.]

Fair enough.

[and then all hint of humor leaves him.]

She was betrayed by a friend -- framed for a crime she didn't commit. The people in charge of our Order didn't trust her and kicked her out. I proved her innocence, they invited her back, but she refused. And then...she left.

I don't get why you're so interested, to be honest.

[silentrunning]

I like learning about other people's lives.

[She explains.]

Only way I have of learning at all usually except blundering through on my own. I'm sorry she was accused of murder. And glad she was found innocent.

...

But not everything is black and white.

[bewareyourheart]

Generally speaking, I've found that things are usually a lot more simple than people give them credit for.

[silentrunning]

[She thinks.]

I used to be like that... Until I learned that the AI controlling the testing facility was as much a victim as me, considering she was once human, and they offloaded her brain into an AI and hardwired it so she'd get a thrill whenever she tested it, with constant pressure for her to test. And it was humans who did this. Not so simple when you realize your "enemy" is just as much a victim and a pawn as you.

[bewareyourheart]

That's great and all, but it really doesn't do any good to hesitate on the battlefield on the off-chance your enemy might have some tragic backstory. In fact, that's the quickest way to get even more innocent people killed.

I can worry about my enemies' emotional states when they aren't causing millions of people to suffer.

[silentrunning]

[She nods, and thinks.]

Some day... Some day I think you'll learn. Things are never as simple as people say.

[And unlike most people, there's not any patronizing tone in her voice when she says it, or any judgment. Just her version of fact.]

I used to feel like you do... And the AI is still my enemy. But the thing is, under it all, your enemies have lives and feelings too, and even if they're your enemy you have to respect them. I'm not saying you don't, but I'm telling you what I learned. Yes.Hesitation on the battlefield is a bad idea. But there's a time to strike, and a time to observe and learn.

[Woo Chell. You're going zen!]

[bewareyourheart]

[eyeroll. Anakin really doesn't like being lectured, even if it's done very sweetly.]

You sound a lot like a friend of mine. Though I don't think even he'd take it as far as you do.

If you keep getting bogged down with this stuff, you're gonna end up dead.