dear_mun | On sending him to a test drive...

If you talk like that, these people see it as a challenge and will go out of their way to make you excessively miserable. I would suggest not tempting fate. Feigning compliance can work wonders.

They could do no worse to me. [His weaknesses are not present to his knowledge.] You would have me lie?

Again: they take such things as a challenge. And since my grandmother Padmé is here, it's entirely possible for them to get to you by going for her. These people are in possession of a uniquely unsettling skillset regarding psychological torture.

I think my mother would call it 'situational disinformation' but yes, lying a little here and there can be quite useful. Where my father errs is lying so often no one believes him. It's a balancing act, really. [Ben Solo is the son of a diplomat and a smuggler. Jedi or not he lies like he breathes: easily, quickly, efficiently.]

Padmé is here...? Your grandmother? [It hurts to speak; to think; to follow that trail where it leads. His...child. They live and he has a grandchild too.] You are my...grandson?

Who is your mother...? Your father? [Speaking of balancing acts! His head is spinning.]

Yes, she is. Death doesn't impede people here and time doesn't work as it should, so all manner of people are here... including Padmé. [He puts an awkward but comforting hand on his grandfather's shoulder, to steady him.] I'm sorry, I thought you knew already. My mother is General Leia. She's your daughter; you and Padmé had a son as well, Luke. Twins, it seems, still register in the Force the same way as a normal pregnancy would. Even Padmé didn't know until they were born, from what I've been told.

My father isn't anyone you'd be familiar with; his name is Han Solo, and he's a pilot and former smuggler. My mother likes to argue and apparently a mutual love of that was enough to base a surprisingly happy and long lasting relationship on. Eventually, when they settled down, they had me. They tried, but they didn't have any other children. Just as well; I was a handful as a child, trying to use the Force to tame wild animals and using the Jedi mind trick on people to get into things I shouldn't have. A sibling would have only amplified the chaos. [He brightens a bit at the memories, of a childhood before he was sent to Jedi training where his creative use of the Force had amused and frustrated his parents in equal measures, often at the same time.]

It's a bit eerie, [he admits uncomfortably,] to look at you closely and see so much of my mother and uncle. Luke has your facial structure, and my mother has your eyes, though her hair is more like Grandmother Padmé's. I never noticed such things before.

[Ben wonders if Anakin can see any of his own features in Ben, or if Ben is enough generations removed from him that there isn't anything to see. Both options are unsettling in their own ways.]

Anakin.

[ :| ]

Padmé. [:(]

Really, Anakin. This again?

Again? You act as if you have seen this before, Master.

Darkness rising within you? Bitterness and anger threatening to consume you?

Yes, I have.

Then you should know what is coming. [He begins to pace like a caged animal.]

[Watching, arms folded, not moving himself. Eyes weary and grieving.]

Why, Anakin? Why must it always be like this?

This is the only way. You do not want to understand because the Jedi have blinded you.

I will be a good Emperor.

[He winces, just a little. He knows he's failed Anakin in many ways, and he doesn't entirely agree with the Jedi philosophy on everything, so he's failed them, too.]

You could have remained a good man.

Is that where you're going? To learn how to be an emperor?

[His eyes flash and he grits his teeth in a snarl.]

I am a good man! I am doing what is necessary to see a better future for everyone!

[He lifts his chin, trying to look unaffected by Obi-Wan's presence.]

Who better to rule an empire?

[Obi-Wan shakes his head; a small, sad movement. Doesn't respond otherwise to Anakin's anger, at least not outwardly.]

[Anakin, of course, probably knows better.]

That doesn't mean everyone should be under your thumb.

...please, Anakin. Just come home with me.

[He feels judged by his old Master. Judged and found wanting. There is blood on his hands - the blood of innocents and he knows it. What Obi-Wan suggests is surely a trap. His muscles tense and his breathing is shallow.]

Home? To be executed by the Jedi Council? Or by you?

[He should feel judged. There's a lot of horror in Obi-Wan. But also a lot of... a lot of love. And regret.]

N-no. No execution.

I just want to talk.

About what?! There isn't any time and you have made it clear you will not support me. [Bravely, rashly, he approaches at last, eyes bordering on a feral yellow-gold.] Do you not see?

[Frowning] No time? No time for what, precisely?

[Oh, boy. This is both what he wants and what he dreads, because he'd really prefer not to have to knock Anakin on his behind again, and he'd also prefer not to be skewered himself...

But is there any chance of reaching him?]

[He unfolds his arms. Doesn't draw his lightsaber, but it's very much a possibility.]

I won't support you in hurting others, no. You know that.

Edited (am gud at html) 2016-12-28 10:39 (UTC)

She is going to die! [He hisses the words, agony transforming his features. There are tears in his eyes - an oddity for any Sith, surely. Anakin Skywalker lives within Darth Vader still, mired under emotions so extreme he cannot see beyond them.]

It has already been done, my Master, and they will not be the last.

[Obi-Wan jolts forward with a sick lurch of nausea. He lifts a hand, almost but not quite touches Anakin's cheek.]

Padme?

Padme's still alive?

...no. No, please do not speak in that fashion.

[He exhales sharply, nearly turning to the hand. Nearly.]

She... She must be. I would know if she wasn't.

But I've had...visions. I need to save her.

[Expression hardening, he lifts his chin.]

Who do you think killed the younglings?

[Caught on a knife's edge. If he says too much, he pushes Anakin to kill her. If he says too little, he... pushes Anakin to kill her.]

I'm from... later than you, then.

Yes. You can save her. If you turn from the darkness.

[...Obi-Wan nearly responds in kind, nearly grimaces at the boy, nearly draws his lightsaber to drop into a defensive posture. But in the end, he just sighs, shoulders slumping. He doesn't want to fight.]

I am well aware who committed that act.

You're - [He looks taken aback, but then the rage crashes on him like a storm.] You're just trying to manipulate me!

[No, this must be the right path. This must.]

I will save her by making the galaxy safe. No one will ever threaten her... No one will take her from me...

[His face pales and he staggers back.]

I cannot have anyone threatening her or...our child.

[ooc: I just wanna note here that muse irritation = / = mun irritation - we love what you're doing with him, he's totally in character and lovely, Obi-Wan is just yelling out of panic and love, thank you!]

[Oh, now he's annoyed. Obi-Wan speaks with great irritation] Of course I am, you young fool. I'm trying to manipulate you into listening to me, and setting this path aside! [Because he loves Anakin. If he didn't, he'd just try to stop him.]

[.......he softens at that last comment, and steps forward, this time following through and touching Anakin's cheek very lightly.]

Wanting to protect those you love is understandable.

So that I can follow the Jedi code again?! That won't work! This is the only way; I have foreseen that! I won't lose her like I lost my mother!

[An event Obi-Wan had not be present for; only Padmé had seen the depth of his pain. Only she knew what he had done that day. Killing the younglings was not new to him. He had taken young lives before them.]

I am powerful enough to stop death. [His voice is quiet, but flat, his skin cold under Obi-Wan's gentle touch. He cannot meet his Master's gaze, however, and he turns his head against the palm, breathing erratically.]

... you won't. I won't let you.

[ Anakin, meet equally-stubborn Anakin. Which will give first, the rock or the hard place? ]

That's not what Mom would want.

Try to see to that, and there will be plenty who will see to stopping you.

Why? Why make others suffer because you are suffering?

Anyone with foresight can see that that will only end in disaster for everyone involved.

On sending him to a test drive...

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<3 you and obi-wan are lovely, no worries~

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Say hi to your future apprentice!

late but hi dad