herowithnofear

[herowithnofear]

"Then you don't know me very well at all," Anakin replied, cheerful enough to overcome Obi-Wan's deadpan with a vengeance. He was not a deer, and he most certainly didn't stumble into any wayward trees that wandered into town--but he did stumble, feet catching on the sticky floor. He made falling into his seat look like a mistake, but recovered with the ease of a soldier.

Grinning up at the man above him, Anakin hadn't let go of his sleeve. A single petal fluttered down to brush against the older man's cheek--it didn't feel right to blame the wind for it.

"Come on," he said. "First round on me."

Emphasis on first.

There was something satisfying about watching his former apprentice suffer. Some would call him a bitter old man about it, and they would not be entirely wrong, but also, because Anakin looked like those funny little deer that liked to gallop through the forest in such a rush, that they were caught off guard when a tree came up to smack them.

There hadn't been nearly enough of that warmth over these past three years. He was more than happy to play the fool for Anakin's happiness.

Even if it meant braving a sticky floor.

He tugged on Anakin's flower necklace.

Deadpan, "I didn't know you were such a romantic."

[herowithnofear]

Anakin crooned at him, the half-orc's sour expression doing nothing to lessen the beauty at his neck. He hardly had a moment to gloat before the tables were turned with a speed the tiefling associated with the battlefield. The Paladin's cheeks got very dusty after that, red darkening into something deeper. He cleared his throat before Obi-Wan had a chance to strike. "Let's move on... there!"

And then he hooked his arm tighter around the half-orc's neck, and steered them deeper into the fray of dancing bodies. The patrons at the tables were covered in mead from the harassment.

"To ea-t'Anakin." He complained, disappointment exaggerating his accent to a tune only his closest companion ever seemed to consistently play. He could not even properly glower at the tiefling, etiquette would not allow him, not when a lovely selection of fresh blooms were already being draped around his neck.

He wrinkled his nose to keep from sneezing.

"I suppose you have a matching one for my friend," he said, in the same tone he'd used when they'd been stationed to guard the Dark Paths.

The shopkeeper hid a smile between one graceful hand, reached across the way to offer Anakin the very same blessing - and a little extra.

A kiss on the forehead, for a fine brave paladin.

[herowithnofear]

Mercy

Based on Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan

[herowithnofear]

The tensions steadily rising closer and closer to the culmination of the wedding were easy to ignore when drowned in booze and beer; and that was precisely what Anakin was instructed to prevent. It didn't mean he had to like it if it meant preventing collateral from a brawl between hearty politicians.

The Paladin seemed content, then, to remain posted along the walls of the bustling corridor that were Souris' streets. People, patrons and nobles alike, swarmed the cobblestone. It offered a fine vantage point to spot any wandering fingers, and in contrast to the levity of the crowd, Anakin's flesh hand rested firmly at the hilt of his saber. For security.

The crowd was dense, but one movement caught the tiefling's eye--one party-goer moved through the crowd as gracefully as water through the rocks. The fairy hard a charming, pleasant smile that drew the Paladin's attention away from the crowd, if only for a moment, when he was offered rejection after rejection. Anakin looked over Jaskier's offerings as the fairy floated into the space before him, the other nearly knocking his shoulder in the motion. The Paladin hesitated--but in this kind of crowd, with this kind of magnetism for romance and celebration, it seemed almost wrong to not have any kind of decoration.

"Then allow me to relieve you of it," the Paladin said, offering a simple smile of his own. He wore it uncertainly (his only company had been the temple doctor for days).

Anakin offered his hand. "I'm interested to see if your voice is as appealing as your flowers."

Location: Streets of Souris

While Jaskier would usually be singing in the streets playing his lute for the people he was rather much enjoying cheering the other bards on as they entertained the crowds and danced with and for the people. And while they did that Jaskier had taken this occasion to pass out flowers that had gotten from a cart and fashion his own flower crown for fun. So he currently carried a bouquet of flowers around handing them out to anyone approachable or seemed in need of a flower, smiling and fluttering his wings.

He received varying responses but always tried to be polite and excuse himself when he wasn't wanted. Still, even with some less-than-favorable responses he approached another person with a charming smile and offered them a flower, "Care for a flower? I could make a crown for you if you like. I'd offer a song but my arm is so full at the moment." He said in a playful tone.

[herowithnofear]

And as dutifully as ever, Anakin marched on the half-orc's heels.

"Dangerous," he said, eyes already round with interest. The streets smelled of perfume, of baked goods, of salted steak and honey mead. The sky was terrifyingly blue, the flags and banners and streamers alike all brandishing the Theredas emblem shone bright against its backdrop.

"I can pick? That's dangerous."

He snagged Obi-Wan's elbow with the tip of one sharpened nail, bringing him to a halt in front of the display. Lively music, spinning locals with their arms intertwined--the interior of the Lady Hare's tavern was bustling despite it being mid-day. Testament to the celebration, flowers hung down from the rafter's in complimenting shades reminiscent of the to-be-wed's eyes. One elf nestled alongside such streams of flora caught the tiefling's eyes, and before the older Paladin could protest, Anakin was already waving her down.

"A crown of flowers, in honor of the royal wedding," she trilled, offering one to the pair. They seemed in style for this kind of event. Anakin's arm wound its way around Obi-Wan's neck to pluck at one of his straw cowlicks the older man forgot to lay in their haste.

"My friend here just loves the celebration of it all," he said. "In fact, he's such a romantic that it often holds his tongue. Perhaps the flowers will break him out of his shell."

"It's a good thing I plan on dying old and alone." He offered with no hesitation, practically beaming as he marched forward, into spinsterdom or the nearest bar, whatever came first.

(Usually Dex's. Because Dex always treated him right.)

He waved off those rumors. Obi-Wan hadn't been in the running since long before they were sent off to guard the front; it was before Anakin's time, and if he had his way, his former apprentice would never fully hear about it. Senior Paladins had to maintain some illusion of decorum after all.

"And on your first day out of the Halls of Healing? Why, we'll have to find somewhere special."

[herowithnofear]

"You won't understand it," Anakin said, expression decidedly stern. "Not until it's you."

But he took the jab good-naturedly, ducking out of the way of the half-orcs hand before pushing off of his column perch. Obi-Wan was right. The sun was shining, the tielfing's skin soaking up the warmth like he was taking a long drink of cool mead, and the realization that this was his first outing in weeks was enough to remind the Paladin that this was supposed to be a happy occasion.

So he basked in it. Just a little, lips curled like he was preening. "Where to today? You're surely the expert. Word is you're one of the best social-drinking Paladins in the ranks now. What did I miss?"

"Then perhaps they should have married a commoner." Obi-Wan said, blandly.

"With power comes responsibility, Anakin, and I would prefer a leader who cared enough to bring their people's welfare into consideration than the alternative."

Then he leaned forward, and took another swipe at his former apprentice's horns.

"Are you still being huffy or perhaps can we discuss this over drinks?"

[herowithnofear]

Everything Obi-Wan said was objectively, irrefutably true. The royals were duty bound, more oft than not, to uphold the customs of the high society they represent. Each movement, each decision of both the heart and mind, sent a statement that would ripple through Theredas and either unite parties, or further divide them.

"People rarely crave that level of scrutiny," Anakin said, expression unreadable. He returned to staring at the city below. "I do not think she asked for this."

But maybe this was a statement that needed to be spread. Maybe there were some traditions made to be broken. No one understood duty the way those taken the Oath of the Jedi did.

"And what of their partner?" he pressed. "What if they're not content to sit idle in the shadows?"

"Like when I want to sleep for five more minutes, and my co-Captain is demanding I get up for something he claims is important?" Obi-Wan drawled, giving Anakin a very pointed once over. Sure, most of the time he'd usually been called to avoid the certain death of being slaughtered in his sleep by bandits. But still. It was the principle of the thing.

He let his hands fall to his side, shook his head once.

"The nobility have a long history of trusted companions," he said diplomatically, because even the most prestigious concubine was just someone without the proper blood to earn a throne. "And if our Highness chose to spend more time with their partner than their spouse, no one would bat an eye. Their duty to their people comes before their duty to themselves. Their people want stability, not love."

[herowithnofear]

Anakin looked back at him, feeling the half-orc's eyes focused on him. He wasn't jumping to conclusions. Not yet, and not with Obi-Wan--but the Paladin looked keen to hear the other's answer.

"And what would you suggest her to do, Master?"

It was a question balanced on the fine, sharp line of opinion. The approval and disapproval marks may as well have been hovering midair, but Anakin knew Obi-Wan's practicality weighed over any matter of the heart. That's what made him him. That's what made the older Paladin near untouchable.

"Has your head ever told you one thing while your heart begs for another?" It was poetic, if Anakin hadn't crooned it with purely teasing intention. To someone who knew the Paladin, it might've looked like tactic to hide his own vulnerability.

This time the paladin kept his distance, opting instead to take in the younger knight's profile, his brow furrowed in thought. He stroked a hand over his beard, the tips of his tusk more pronounced when he frowned.

He had not realized recent events would resonate so strongly with Anakin, and perhaps therein lay his own shortcomings.

"No, of course not. Love cannot be wrong." He said, because compassion was a tenement he would always stand by. But love did not exist in a vacuum.

"But perhaps it can be - a little short-sighted."

[herowithnofear]

And there he went--lecturing. But the older man's words did not fall entirely on deaf ears as Anakin might've wanted him to think. He straightened just enough to pull his horns from his grasp. The tiefling still looked restless, and when the half-orc turned to face him, the Paladin turned his focus to the city, instead.

"I refuse to display decorum when it isn't returned."

Enemies in the faces of friends.

"You should tell that to the crowd, Obi-Wan," the tiefling grunted. "The newspapers, too. Tell them who there friends and real enemies are, because it isn't the newlyweds."

There was a suggestion that, perhaps, there was more apprehension about the event itself over any implications on Anakin's ability. The Paladin leaned against one of the temple pillars, and watched as another cloud of dreamy pink and red streamers were draped over a local bakery. When he crossed his arm, the wood of his current prosthetic sat bulky against the meat of his forearm.

"Do you really think it's wrong?" he asked. "To be a human wed to a tiefling? How are you not taking it personally?"

Obi-Wan pursed his lips like he knew what Anakin was thinking. Three years in the field was more than enough to reestablish that line of thought. Or maybe he was just intimately familiar with what his former apprentice looked like when he was trying (and not failing) to vex him.

"Would a little decorum physically wound you?" He said, then held up a hand, equal parts apology and request for silence. At least half of that would be permitted.

"This is more than a courtesy call. The royal family is experiencing unprecedented levels of public disapproval. Our presence is meant to be a reassurance as much as a countermeasure to anything untoward." He continued, which was frustrating in itself, because he was willing to bet Anakin already knew that. There was very little that escaped the Paladin's attention, when he was focused.

So Obi-Wan's tone softened, a moment of hesitation turned towards decisiveness. He faced the tiefling fully.

"I know that you are frustrated, Anakin. But do not read slights against your person when there are none. If you spend all your time looking for enemies, you may begin to see them in the face of friends."

"You've been making good progress. No one can deny you that."

[herowithnofear]

Anakin came to a halt, heels skidding against the tile as the bottom half tried to walk ahead while his top half was definitively stuck. He turned on his heel, nostrils flared like a bull, before coming to a halt directly in front of the half-orc.

He glared at him, until he realized he was still an inch taller, and then smirked. It came out more like a grimace.

"You're not pleased," he said. "Even you, lover all of things boring and diplomatic, are not looking forward to staying posted outside of the dining hall while the happy couple get messy."

"It must be your charming personality. You would be every nobleman's delight."

It had taken a great many years and a thoroughly bruised ego to realize that *Not even you* wasn't as personally cutting as it was meant to sound. Sometimes Anakin was just snitty - with him. Specifically. Obi-Wan did not take offense.

Mostly because it infuriated Anakin when he didn't.

But he stormed after him, his boots clanging on the Temple's polished stone, reassuringly familiar in a way that made the vaulted ceilings seem less extravagant. It had taken more time than he cared to admit to see his old home as home, but once Theredas had settled around him, it felt like a cloak Obi-Wan had never removed.

"Slow down, Anakin, slow-" He reached out, and caught his former apprentice by one of his horns, halting him in place. A quick glance around reassured him that they were alone in their immediate vicinity.

Obi-Wan probably should have checked that first.

[herowithnofear]

"What, am I on marital duty now?!"

The tiefling's voice bounced off of the marble walls, a few patrons towards the back lifting their heads at the offending noise. The world outside and the city spread out before them were decorated in favor of an embracing of love and union, of a tradition as old as the nation itself--however, the bright colors and festivities felt dull in the light of their recent assignment.

But the cleric had made his order--bedrest, mandatory healing potions every evening, and no, emphasis on no, active duty. That meant no defense, no pursuit, no field-work, no hunting--nothing but diplomacy and good-natured guard-ship. Anakin felt sick to his stomach like he wasn't just now getting his first breath of fresh air in weeks.

But the tiefling flung his head back, both a confirmation and accusation, to make sure his companion was still hot on his heels.

"You can't possibly be excited. Not even you. What are we going to do all day?"

@thxnegotiator

[herowithnofear]

obiwan leades anakin to the council 21 BBY holophoto in color

[herowithnofear]

Anakin Skywalker.

23. He/Him (fc: Hayden Christensen).

Paladin of Dratho || Oath of the Jedi, the Chosen || Tiefling || Kelsvack

most people recognize him by his bruised knuckles and oil-stained hands, the wind in your hair and the sun blinding your eyes, the moment you leave atmosphere and become weightless and their righteous & vengeful. thereda is a large and mysterious land whose glad to have anakin skywalker roaming the lands.

Anakin hails from Kelsvack, where he and his mother were raised and made their livelihood as servants to the wealthier families in the over-populated village surrounding the river. His father never had a name, if he even had one.

Tempted by the vulnerability associated with overpopulation, where thieves can disappear into a crowd like water, the world upended for Anakin when bandits laid siege to the outermost Kelsvack--a place where he and his mother took up residence. It wasn't fair enough to call it a fight--it was simply a massacre.

Anakin survived by the grace of an unnamed Jedi, who cut through the masses declaring an attack of such magnitude and such disparity was one argued to be protected by the will of Dratho: death is inevitable, but it is not planned, and it was not time. Standing in the wreckage of his slummed quarters, the world seemingly on fire, Anakin took a vow in the name of justice, for revenge.

To the Oath, it felt like a sign. Sometimes, Anakin thinks it was simply a mistake. His duty is to maintain Fate, as was dictated by the stars in the destruction of his quarter. His grief and loss has always been viewed as something to be desired.

There is Death. We must prevent it if unjust in form.

The tiefling was then swept away from Kelsvack, and hasn't returned since. He sped through the ranks of apprentice and learner, a fierce warrior in a time of upheaval throughout Theredas, and what he lacked in diplomatic skill he made up for with sheer charm and battle prowess. Now, Anakin stands at the rank of Paladin, and has commandeered different skills of battle strategy, scouting, hunting, and the occasional required bounty.

He is a Master at Djem So, a fighting stance favoring dominance and attack in battle.

Growing up with the ghost stories surrounding the selvik, Anakin was familiar with the concept of death from a young age. Despite this, the deemed Hero with No Fear seems to have just one.

Anakin has a typical rugged appearance, his hair curling out from his horns and almost disguising them with its disheveled pattern. He dresses in loose clothing when he can, reminiscent of the warmer environment where he was raised, and maintains a steady resting neutral face (no more than neutral, nope, he's such a pleasant guy).

He boasts sandy-tan skin and darker orange horns that blend in just so with his hair--Anakin's grin is toothy and full of teeth.

Anakin lost his right arm in battle set just prior to the beginning of the campaign, and as such, is out of the field currently and recuperating by learning to live with his (currently shoddy) wooden prosthetic.

Sometimes, non-considering the Oath taken, the Paladin wished he could be an inventor--he often spends his time in Theredas admiring the artistry of the mechanics there, and is fascinated with robotic attachment and architecture.

He loves horse racing, and is deemed best in his class (don't listen to what anyone else has to say)

[herowithnofear]

> - Anakin SkyWalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi Layouts

Icon + painting header (except that last one)

Enjoy.