Murder the Dawn: Chapter Ten: Protecting the Duchess

[ladyofleithian]

In which Obi-Wan and Anakin meet with Satine and co. to discuss Satine's safety, and we get a glimpse into Obi-Wan's thoughts some more.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Even discussing the matter of Satine’s safety was harder than one could have imagined. If anything, Anakin was mostly trying to go by emotion – which was doomed to failure whether or not you were a Jedi – while Obi-Wan, still trying his damndest to please Qui-Gon

which he acknowledged was more than slightly fueled by emotion. That was not a comforting thought. Of all the things Obi-Wan Kenobi didn’t want to be called, “hypocrite” would be…well, one of the worst

was trying to use something that must have been completely and utterly elusive to his temperamental, disgruntled, overeager Padawan – logic.

“I do appreciate your concern for Duchess Satine’s safety, Anakin,” he said, gently, “And finding the attempted assassin. But protection is our first priority.”

“I know that, Master,” Anakin said, “But how are we going to protect her when the attempted assassin is still loose?”

“Perhaps with the both of you guarding me,” Satine said, a flicker of faint amusement in her eyes, “The threat will be revealed in time.”

Silence.

“That…that’s a brilliant idea!” Anakin’s eyes lit up, and Obi-Wan chuckled to himself. For all of his faults, Anakin Skywalker was, fundamentally, a well-intentioned young man. If he only knew when to simply keep his mouth shut, though; the young man had the filtering ability of, Obi-Wan realized with a jolt, a small child.

Had Anakin ever had a real childhood while he had still been a slave on Tatooine? Anakin had told him about some of the happier parts – Jira, Kitster, and so on and so forth – but even so…Obi-Wan couldn’t imagine having any sort of a childhood underneath the lash of Gardulla the Hutt. Even Watto, though he was (from what he could gather from Anakin) kinder than Gardulla (although that didn’t say much), Anakin hadn’t had time to truly grow as a child. He hadn’t had many friends (outside Kitster and Wald), nor toys (although there was podracing, Obi-Wan supposed. Even the thought of sending out a small child into this deadly sport was enough to make him shiver – it was lucky the Force was usually with Anakin, or he would have been dead long ago. Far from a comforting thought)…nor a life outside of building podracers and racing on Watto’s whim. Though he said he did it for recreation as well, somehow, Obi-Wan didn’t believe it.

He had joked occasionally about Watto as well. “He was a grumpy old bird,” the boy said, a slight smirk coming across that then-thirteen-year-old face. “I think he may have yelled at Wald to get off his lawn more than a few times.”

“He doesn’t have a lawn.” Indeed, after the Rakata had pillaged Tatooine, what was once a lush, green planet was nothing more than a desert wasteland.

“Okay, to be more accurate, I think he yelled at Wald to get out of his shop. And stop making up insulting poems about him.”

Obi-Wan snorted. “I can’t imagine Watto being happy with that.”

“Not really.” Anakin sighed, shook his head, smiling. “He was a good master, really,” he said. “Biggest grump in the Outer Rim, though.”

“Old men are like that,” Obi-Wan said.

“Which explains Master Yoda quite a bit.”

“Anakin!” In spite of himself, Obi-Wan had to smother a laugh. Why did Anakin make him laugh so much?

“Well, he’s old. And grumpy.” Anakin shrugged. “It doesn’t negate the fact he’s the best Jedi of all of us.” A pause. “I just hope I don’t become as grumpy as him when I’m older.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” Obi-Wan said, smiling.

“What do you think, Master Kenobi?” Satine asked.

“It’s a sound plan,” Obi-Wan said. “For now.” Even now, though, he could not help but feel the plan would, ultimately, do more harm than good.

Still, they’d do what they could to protect Satine’s safety.

For the time being.

Comments

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

A nice chapter as usual, looking forward to more. :)

Anakin's childhood wasn't really one, no. :(

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D More's coming soon. :)

And yeah, poor Anakin. :(

[angel-in-tears.livejournal.com]

I love how much Obi-Wan obviously cares about Anakin, and how he loves him. Also love how Anakin described Yoda, I may have snorted with laughter then :D

[ladyhadhafang.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D I loved that bit too. :)

[pmn15.livejournal.com]

Once I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any manner you possibly can remove me from that service? Thanks! http://onesmilefact.blogspot.com/