Murder the Dawn: Chapter Nine: Old Friends

[ladyofleithian]

In which Anakin and Obi-Wan meet up with Jar-Jar again.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the possible lateness of this chapter; I've been busy.

“Obi! Obi! Obi!”

Even now, grinning uncomfortably, yet still trying to keep some degree of a friendly air, Obi-Wan could not help, oddly enough, to be grateful to see Jar-Jar again. He hadn’t expected to become friends with the Gungan after their unexpected crash-landing on Mandalore, but apparently, somehow, he had. Jar-Jar was bumbling, yes, inexperienced, yes, and he could be on the annoying side at times – that could not be denied – but the Gungan at least had a good heart. Something that was quite hard to find these days.

And at the very least, seeing someone he knew – sort of – would be enough to take his mind off the sudden worry he had about Duchess Satine Kryze.

Satine… The woman was brave – unbelievably brave. And yet at the same time, she seemed so vulnerable. He had seen glimpses of it after Mandalore, after Qui-Gon had died – and even now, he had to cut that thought off at the pass. Now was the time to focus on the present.

He was usually quite skilled at the art of letting go – his tutelage under Master Yoda had been proof enough of that. “Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them not. Miss them not. The shadow of greed, attachment is.”

And yet somehow, with his newly formed attachment to his Padawan, Obi-Wan could not help but wonder – was he being unnecessarily greedy?

And Satine…

He had tried to think of his relationship with her as strictly platonic. Comrades in arms, if you would. And her friend. Compassion, after all, was not forbidden by the Jedi Code – if anything, it was essential to a Jedi’s life. So in a way, from a certain point of view, one could say they were encouraged to love.

And yet even so, he could not help but worry that it was becoming more than that. Something dangerous.

“It’s good to see you, Jar-Jar,” Obi-Wan said, slightly forcing a smile. “You…you’ve definitely changed a lot.” If anything, Jar-Jar’s Senate robes – which should have looked unnecessarily bright and gaudy but somehow, gave the Gungan an odd air of dignity – suited him.

Jar-Jar merely grinned, before turning towards Anakin. “And this must be yousa apprentice.”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said, smiling. “Anakin?”

Anakin stepped forward, nodded a greeting to Jar-Jar – if anything, he seemed more than slightly awkward at seeing those he hadn’t seen in years or so.

Jar-Jar’s eyes went wide. “Annie? No. Little bitty Annie?”

A pause.

“Yousa Annie!” Jar-Jar bounded over towards Anakin, wrapping him in a hug to rival a Wookiee’s. Anakin, eventually, relaxed into it – if anything, even as Jar-Jar pulled away, still bouncing around him like an energetic pitten, making little yi-yi-yi noises, he noticed, somehow, Anakin was more relaxed than Obi-Wan had seen him in quite a while.

“You’re a Senator now, Jar-Jar?” Anakin said. “That’s wonderful!”

“And look at yousa! Yousa sprouted!”

Obi-Wan gently cleared his throat. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Jar-Jar,” he said, “But…is there any chance to speak to Satine?”

Jar-Jar went somber – not at the rejection, Obi-Wan sensed. If anything, a sense of worry seemed to come over the Gungan’s face. “Shesa…shesa not doing so well. There was…”

“A firefight?”

“Close.”

“Did anything happen?”

“People – theysa were hurt.”

“We’ll discuss it more with Satine, I hope,” Obi-Wan said. “Can you take us to her?”

Jar-Jar’s eyes seemed to brighten again – it seemed the thought of being helpful was a good way to spring him into action. “Of course! Follow mesa.”