Voice Test

[abovedeception]

The name you have chosen isn't comforting. Even I could fall prey to deception. I only hope I realize my mistake before it is too late.

[Anakin, are you listening? Ahem ahem.]

I also do not take kindly to you separating me from my charge. Send me back immediately if you truly have no ill intentions.

Comments

hope you don't mind some cartoon interference

[pacifistduchess]

Are you referring to Anakin? He'll manage just fine on his own.

For a few days

not at all!

[abovedeception]

Your Majesty, I fear you are mistaken. He is outside of any help I could lend him currently. I pray that changes.

[pacifistduchess]

Please, call me Satine. As to the situation with Anakin, I feel you must put a great amount of trust into what you have taught him thus far. He will manage just fine.

[abovedeception]

[Truth be told, he doesn't feel worthy to use her name. He has failed Anakin and now he must go into hiding to protect a defenseless infant.]

He is a Sith, Satine. [That is said stiffly.]

[pacifistduchess]

Surely not. When last we met he was the epitome of a Jedi master. Although not yet there in rank.

[ She couldn't believe such a thing could come to pass any more than he had when he'd learned the cold, hard truth]

[abovedeception]

I have seen the proof with my own eyes. [Every sickening, despair filled detail of it.] Senator Amidala is dead.

[He's too worn to sugar-coat his words.]

There is hope... [But the sources of hope are very small.] We must be patient.

[pacifistduchess]

Padme?

[She knew the senator on such good terms. Good enough to know she had been pregnant recently. Suddenly all the dots seemed to connect. Padme and Anakin. Anakin and Padme. Lord Vader and...

They were the living embodiment of what she and Obi-wan could have possibly become if they had ever acted on their feelings for each other]

The baby survived? There are rumors she was buried before she could give birth....

[abovedeception]

[He nods faintly, face pale. Grief is nothing new to him - or them, truly. It comes with their duties and, in its wake, regret follows in heavy measures. Seeing Satine again has driven that particular emotion home.

But that - That cannot be spoken.]

The babies survived. [A smile fights its way onto his lips.] She gave birth to twins - a boy and a girl. The boy is under my protection.

[pacifistduchess]

Babies?

[No one else knew what Obi-wan had just told her. Instinctively she knew to bite her tongue on this matter]

And the girl? You can't pin every hope and dream on just one child.

[abovedeception]

She is safe. I took her elsewhere. [He won't give details. Once he is in hiding, no one will find him.] By keeping them apart, they have more of a chance.

[pacifistduchess]

[normally, Satine would usually argue with his current chain of logic. They were of two different minds, but in a time such as this, her pacifist nature had become completely obsolete. There was nothing left to do except to submit to the sith lord]

Please, look after yourself, Obi-wan.

[She knew more than anyone that Obi-wan wouldn't be turned from his resolve]

I can't remain in this Empire. The countless systems, planets, and allegiances I owe will wither and fade.

[abovedeception]

[He forgets to breathe and reaches out, almost touching her. Almost. His fingers tremble and then curl towards his palm.

Leave it unsaid.]

Do likewise. [For as long as she is able... His heart aches.]

I should not have caused you worry. These matters are not yours to consider.

[But oh is he lonely.]

[pacifistduchess]

[Satine owed the very reason she had lived to become the duchess of her many alliances and planets entirely to him and his master. Still, despite her neutral inclinations when it came to politics, she wasn't above using force when the circumstances warranted it]

I always manage. Even without you to intervene.

[She reached for his hands when they hesitated, gently linking them for a small amount of time

Your worries are mine. Haven't we established that?

[She reached to gently tug on the edge of his beard, just enough to remind him she had first known him as a beardless padawan]

I suppose you've grown into this. Thought I hate it. I miss the padawan braid.

[abovedeception]

[She owes him nothing. Her light is easy for him to see and by supporting her, he supports good. The universe needs good, though all that she is will inevitably become an echo. He bows his head and smiles at the simple joy of holding her hand. His thumb passes over her knuckles.]

For the time being.

[There is a dangerous stinging behind his eyes and he closes them.]

I will manage too. One who is wholly innocent needs me. [A breath.] He will have a mother, a father; a family with me as a guard.

[A guard who lets no ill touch the child until he is of age.]

Having a beard is a source of pride, I'll have you know. [Amusement makes the blue of his eyes glow.] If I walked around with a braid, no one would trust me!

[pacifistduchess]

He will be well looked after. He'll need you if I've heard anything of force sensitive infants.

'[She shook her head at his words, happy to find a small a rare source of amusement from such Obi-wan]

I would. It's so hard to believe we were so young when we met. I thought you were such a proud prat until you scooped me up when a droid fired at me."

[abovedeception]

He won't know until he is ready. [Luke deserves a quiet childhood. It's the sort of thing Anakin never had and Obi-Wan wonders if that made him more susceptible to Palpatine.]

I was proud, but I have never lied when I could help it. A mere droid had no right to claim your life.

[let_it_in]

"Are you anticipating being deceived by someone?" Rey knew what that was like, she often found herself being very wary of strangers for that very reason.

[abovedeception]

You should always anticipate being deceived by someone. [It's a way of life for a Jedi.]

[let_it_in]

"I can't say I disagree." Rey had heard him mention leaving his charge, which made her curious.

"Who exactly is it you've been separated from?" Another thing that Rey has had to deal with for more time than she cared to count. Being separated from her loved ones.

[abovedeception]

I'm sorry you've had to learn that lesson so young. [But it's probably for the best.] A child. He is little more than an infant, though I am not seeing to his day to day needs.

[let_it_in]

Rey perks up when he apologizes for words she did not speak aloud.

"How do you know that?"

Immediately her heart goes out to him when she hears about him having unwillingly abandoned a child.

"Is he protected?"

[abovedeception]

Someone who did not understand might have argued or disagreed. [So he made a logical leap.] By myself and others, yes. He will live.

[let_it_in]

Relaxing a little, Rey nodded in agreement.

"Others? This boy must be important."

Yes, he has piqued her interest.

[abovedeception]

Very. He carries hope for the future. [There is nothing more pressing or important.]

[let_it_in]

Rey could tell by the expression on his face that he meant it.

"That's a lot of pressure to put on a child."