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ladyofleithianDisclaimer: I own nothing.
It was long after Sabe had bid farewell to her guests at the meeting that she walked outside if only to find a way to refresh her troubled mind. There was something about observing the sunset on Coruscant that reminded her of better times. Going to Naboo with Obi Wan, observing the sunset with him. And even thinking of going to Naboo with Obi Wan...well, it would be better than worrying about the possibilities of the future ahead of her.
After all, going to Naboo had never been truly flawless. If anything, it had its trials and its tribulations. But even now, spending time with her nieces and her sister and her parents...at the very least, Sabe thought, it was far better than everything else that was happening thus far. Ahsoka’s death...she knew that Obi Wan had never been the same after that.
It was almost as if the Jedi Knight she had known, the Jedi Padawan she had known when they were both no more than teenagers, the now Jedi Master she had known had suddenly become a stranger to her. He had become darker, almost removed at times. It was things such as the revelation of her pregnancy that she supposed was best to keep in mind in these dark, uncertain times. After all, even if the Republic was falling apart and the galaxy was dying, they had something to rely on. One another.
The best they could both do was hold tight to their memories of Naboo – laughing on Naboo, riding the shaak together, talking, and so much more. The best they could both do was simply hold out hope, because otherwise, where would they be?
Sabe didn’t want to think about where they would be otherwise.
She could already hear soft footsteps on the veranda. She turned around, only to find Obi Wan, seeming if anything rather tired, and almost weary.
“Hello, Sabe.” He smiled if only slightly, but there seemed to be something strained in his smile. Almost tired.
“Hello.”
Even embracing him, taking time to at least feel a degree of shelter in terms of him being home, at least for the moment, Sabe could not help but feel a degree of uncertainty as well. She had spoken with Bail and Mothma and the others about the possibility of the Chancellor becoming corrupt – something that she never wanted to consider. And yet at the same time, it was the truth. The Chancellor was becoming corrupt if only because of the Senate – the Senate pushing more emergency powers on him the more he seemed to demand. He was becoming corrupt if only because of the pressures of the Clone Wars, and so much more.
The best Sabe could hope for – it was funny, in a way, almost ironic that “hope” was perhaps the best defense in these times. And yet at the same time, it was bizarrely fitting, at least in a way – was the idea that once the Clone Wars were over, the Chancellor would return emergency powers to the Senate, stop trying to propose amendments to the Constitution, and open peace talks with the Separatists. Something that was no doubt an unpopular opinion in the majority of the Senate – which, long after things such as the assassination attempt, was out for blood – but at the same time, it had to be done.
After all, if they could find a way to welcome the Separatists back into the Republic or otherwise make peace with them...that would be a miracle in and of itself. A miracle that nobody even thought to try, but at least a miracle.
“Are you all right?” Drawing momentarily out of the embrace, Obi Wan’s brows seemed to be furrowed in concern. “You seem uneasy.”
“I’m all right,” Sabe said. “I mean...just a long meeting.”
“Oh. What for?”
“Mostly regarding the matter of the Chancellor. I...” Sabe bit her lip. “I really am worried about him, Obi Wan. I know that he has good intentions, and that he simply wants to protect democracy and the Republic, but his methods are...”
“Questionable? Yes.” Obi Wan gestured towards the couch on the veranda, where the two of them now sat. At least there was something about Obi Wan’s presence that was momentarily soothing. “Very.”
There was silence.
“How is,” Obi Wan said, a slightly lighter expression and tone returning to him; for a moment, he seemed like his old self again. The good natured, good humored, affable young man that she had fallen in love with. “Our newest member of the family?”
“Oh.” Sabe grinned. She took Obi Wan’s hand. “Do you want to – ’’
“Feel it? Of course.”
Even touching Obi Wan’s hand to her belly, Sabe had to chuckle when Obi Wan pulled it back at the first kick. “Well,” Obi Wan said, with a slight laugh, “With a kick that hard...I can only promise that there are great things ahead for this child. No matter what they may be.”
Sabe laughed. And for a moment, the matter of the Republic falling apart was momentarily forgotten. “Who do you think the child will be?”
“Will be? Well,” Obi Wan said, “The future is always in motion, as Master Yoda would say...” There was a note of mischief in his voice.
“Obi Wan,” Sabe said, but she was grinning even as she said it.
“All right, very well,” Obi Wan said, in a tone of mock defeat. There was a note of affection in his voice, however. “I think that the child may be a girl. At least,” he said, smiling, “That’s what the Force seems to tell me.”
“I certainly hope so. I wonder,” Sabe said, “What we’re going to name her?”
Silence.
Obi Wan seemed to be lost in thought. No, more than that. He seemed so very far away, and so very alone.
Then, “I don’t know. The name Mara may be a good one.”
At that, the baby seemed to kick again. Sabe smiled. “I think she likes it.”
“Indeed?” Obi Wan playfully seemed to arch an eyebrow. “She likes the name?”
Sabe guided his hand once again to her belly. Obi Wan raised an eyebrow again even as the baby kicked.
“She seems to like the name,” Obi Wan said, softly. There was something in that smile, however, that seemed almost melancholy, at least to Sabe. “Mara Kenobi.” The melancholy seemed to become sharper now, more poignant, even as he spoke, and yet even now, there was something of hope in his voice. “She’ll be superb.”
“Yes,” Sabe said, if only softly. “Yes, she will.”
They sat now on the sofa, looking at the setting sun ahead. Then Obi Wan turned to look at Sabe. “Sometimes,” he said, in a voice that seemed so sad and near inaudible that for a moment, Sabe swore she couldn’t hear it at all, “I wonder what’s happening to the Republic. To all of it.”
“I know. But you can’t give up hope now, Obi Wan. That’s the way of the Jedi, isn’t it? To never give up hope?”
Silence.
“I’m not quite certain in regards to hope,” Obi Wan said, if only softly, “But yes...I think that may be the case.”
The silence seemed to stretch out for what seemed forever.
“Obi Wan,” Sabe said, “Just...” She sighed. “Just tell me anything. About one of your trips to the Outer Rim. Your experiences with some of the clone troopers, or the younglings. Just tell me whatever you can.” A pause. “I think we could both use the distraction.”
Silence.
“All right then,” Obi Wan said. “Let me tell you about a trip to the planet of Cato Nemoidia...”
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Date: 2012-12-18 04:59 pm (UTC)