With a friend like you to get me through, I'll get by every time!

[abreakingwave]

WHO: tippedthescales & abreakingwave; closed
LOCATION: Beast's Castle.
TIME: Now-ish.
WHAT: Padmé and Obi-Wan both are distressed over some things about the future and decide to head out for some BFF bonding time.
RATING: Probably no higher than PG-13.

Comments

[abreakingwave]

At her comment, Obi-Wan nodded once. He hoped the library would give them clues to the Darkness and the creatures they spun out to attack this galaxy and others. But it was her last observation that made him pause momentarily, in both hesitation and... well, not quite surprise. He supposed one would have to be good at reading others in her line of work, but he usually only ever expected Qui-Gon to catch him in a mood of melancholy. And at any rate, he'd noticed the same about her. It, however, was not his place to press her about her thoughts and so held his tongue.

He looked back at her, eyes steady. "Yes. I've learned things about the future that are distressing me," he confessed, then moved to help her open the door. They were quite large, but lighter than they looked.

"Is that also what is troubling you, or something else?"

Out of instinct, Obi-Wan went inside first, his hand hovering near the lightsaber on his belt. He reached his mind out to sense for Heartless, for danger, but he didn't feel any waves of darkness rippling out just yet. He waved a hand indicating it was safe at the moment.

[tippedthescales]

Padmé breathed a soft sigh. She worried Anakin might tell Obi-Wan what she had been unable to, and now she worried that Obi-Wan would think she had been trying to deceive him. If he was upset she hoped he would say something, but she still took the chance to say something as she walked into the large foyer of the castle, the grand staircase immediately drawing her attention.

"Anakin told you?" It wasn't as much of a question as a statement, but there was still a inquisitive lilt to her voice. "I'd never try to deceive you, Obi-Wan," she added. "But I had hoped to spare you the pain of knowing."

[abreakingwave]

Obi-Wan seemed almost surprised by her words-- mainly because he'd never thought that. True, he had his dislike of politicians, but he knew that the future was a touchy subject. Even now, Obi-Wan wondered about the wisdom of prying into it, but there was no turning back. So he gave her a reassuring smile and shook his head.

"No, I understand. Least of all can I blame you for wishing to spare me from that knowledge." After all, he'd resolved not long after being told that he would not be relaying this information to Qui-Gon. He was doing the same thing, now.

"But--" he added with a deep sigh, "I can at least attempt to use this knowledge to save him." And his following thoughts hung invisibly off the end of that sentence: 'And the rest of the future along with it.'

[tippedthescales]

"I've wondered lately if it would be better if he was saved somehow," she admitted. The banister of the grand staircase seemed almost foreboding, and she touched it gingerly, as if it would bite back. It was only the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind that made her uncertain, even of an inanimate object.

"In spite of your own reservations, you took Anakin in and taught him. It's only thanks to that, that we were able to meet again. I'm extremely grateful, and I know Anakin feels the same," she explained. "But you were thrown into such a position so suddenly, and under such circumstances... It must have been difficult, especially with a child like Anakin."

When she realized she was looking at him expectantly, as if he would reveal some part of his time with Anakin that she did not know, she nearly laughed at herself. Of course he wouldn't be able to confirm or deny her words, he hadn't lived through that time yet. There was simply so much of Anakin she wanted to know now, especially after speaking with Luke.

"In any case, Master Qui-Gon has some experience with headstrong boys," she added with a smile, trying to lighten the situation. "If there's a way I can help you, I will."

[abreakingwave]

It had to be better. Obi-Wan had a great deal of faith in his Master for all that they argued and bickered at times. He saw him as the greatest Jedi alive. He'd followed his lead for most of his life, and to have that ripped from him so suddenly... Even if it hadn't happened, it still sent a cold chill through his chest. The knowledge that it had been so close to happening before he was taken was enough to still rattle him to the core. Someday, he would have to take the trials and become a Knight himself. Every apprenticeship ended sometime and in the end, that ended up being a trial in and of itself. The bond between a Master and apprentice was a strong one and Qui-Gon had become his closest friend. He expected that to last even after he was Knighted, but instead, he was told he would just be... gone. He wouldn't be there to see him become a Knight, to give him advice, to still joke and laugh... and bicker. He shook his head. Qui-Gon had done so much for the Order and countless others already-- he couldn't not believe that he could help save the future, too.

It just didn't seem fair that only he and one other survived the Jedi purge. No... it just made him feel sick thinking about it. Normally hearing about the future and hearing about how Anakin had grown made him happy, but not even that could relieve the heavy weight bearing down on his heart.

He appreciated her lighthearted attempt, however, and allowed himself to smile. "I'll take any help I can get," he replied, and he meant it. No matter how heavy that weight, he couldn't let it drag him down.

"And I hope you know that offer is extended to you."

Not just as a warrior and protector, but as a friend and confidant.

ffff, sorry @_@ /kicks inbox

[tippedthescales]

"You've always been a wonderful friend to me, Obi-Wan. Thank you," she smiled, knowing exactly how it was meant.

There was a reason she had turned to Obi-Wan when she did--she trusted him, and she hated to see a friend suffer. She knew that as long as Obi-Wan remained in the Order she could trust them, no matter how removed she was from the Jedi. While she was only one small part of the Senate, she hoped that she could afford him the same reassurance. Both in his time, her own, and the future. She would do what she could.

Though she let silence fall between them for a moment, she finally took a deep breath and broke it soon after. There was a particular piece of the future that was troubling her.

"Have you spoken with Luke?"