#but Padme isn’t innocent

[nightowl-125]

Exactly! You gotta understand that Padme is a huge pile of trauma, co-dependency, and a desperate need to be loved as Padme (as opposed to being loved as Amidala).

This girl was also manipulated and groomed by Palpatine, she was Mayor of a whole ass city at just 13, and was ruler of the whole damn planet during an invasion when she was 14! And then she led her people through the aftermath and clean up! This girl is an emotional disaster!

Padme and Anakin are BOTH disasters. But there tragedy is that they weren’t doomed. If they’d had slightly better support, if their society hadn’t set them up for failure, and if they’d made better choices, they could have grown and healed together. They could have made it work. They could have been a beautiful happy family.

Instead they tumbled to their destruction together.

I will die on the hill that to understand Anidala you have to accept that Padme saw the red flags clear as day and went for it anyway. Why? Because Anakin was honest with her. Because Anakin, for all his idolising and putting her on a pedestal, still saw and treated her as a human being, even argued against her at times without fear or without hiding behind clever words. Because Anakin made her feel the youth that was taken from her at a young age. She was captured by the boyish charm and the awkwardness and the blunt honesty, and so when he came to her with a billion red flags, she went for it anyway. He was a breath of fresh air to her.

To understand Anidala you must understand they are 100% freak4freak. They are both children who grew up too fast and are now in a secret relationship giggling like teenagers in their twenties. This is vital to them. Padme is not a flawless character or an idea of perfection, on the contrary she is a very human character who was put in charge of her people at fourteen, something that had a lasting impact on her, and so she is choosing her childhood joy and a fairytale romance over the red flags her husband is waving. She is the OG ‘I can fix him’ mentality. No one is doing it like her.

‘The red flags are mass murder’ and the point still stands.

[fanfic-obsessed]

Derailed

This is another funny one.  I certainly giggled while writing it. 

When Palpatine goes to imply that Padme is cheating on Anakin, Anakin does not freak out. Instead he brightens and says something to the effect of ‘Oh! it must have been time to drug Obi Wan again’ and/or several other things that leave Palpatine with the impression that Anakin and Padme are having regular threesomes with Obi Wan…or are regularly drugging and having their way with Obi Wan.

Note 1:This is not what is happening. There really isn’t even any drugging going on. It turns out that the twins, still gestating, radiate such a strong aura of light and love that it allows war weary, exhausted Jedi to sleep and sleep well.  So Padme always has a few Jedi napping, and hidden if they are in public, wherever she is. Including her apartment.  There was some discussion of having her move into the temple, with Padme present as the Jedi are very into consent, but it was decided that it would endanger her and/or cause a scandal and likely expose her and Anakin’s marriage to the general public. 

Note :2 Anakin was legally considered underage in both cultures at the time of their wedding-Jedi considered adulthood as far as signing legal contracts is concerned at knighthood. Naboo is a bit different, there are some things in which Naboo is very formalized, including their record keeping. They also do not really have a mechanism for errors in those records. So when little Anakin Skywalker’s identification records were created he was asked his birthdate-the question itself was in formal legalese, thus not very clear. Not knowing his actual birthdate, and not quite understanding the question, he gave the date of the Boonta Eve Classic, where he won his freedom.  There was so much confusion that it was never checked before it was entered into the Naboo system, which then fed into the galactic system. Legally, as far as the galactic computer systems are concerned Padme married a 10 year old.  

Note 3: Padme has teamed up with various clone commanders to have their Jedi dragged to where they can get some sleep if it seems like they try running off Force for too long. The first of which was Cody, who is the founding member of the 'I love my my Jedi but What the Fuck' support group.

Anakin then asks a dumbfounded Palpatine if it was a specific date, to which Palpatine(who had been making the entire rumor out of whole cloth) just nodded. Anakin nodded to himself and said that he was surprised that they noticed Obi Wan but not all the other members of the Jedi Council. Or all the other Jedi that pass through Padme’s apartment. 

Anakin has now accidentally convinced Palpatine that there is some Jedi Orgy happening in the senatorial apartments (maybe? Possibly Including other members of the delegation of 2000????). Everything Anakin says after that point sounds like it supports this idea (In defense of Palpatine, it all sounded suspicious) but does have innocent explanations. Including at one point saying something to the effect of “The Twins (because the healers did come over and let them know they were having twins) belonged to all of the Jedi’” and, just before leaving (still cheerfully oblivious),  says that his nightmares have gone away since finding out that that Master Windu is a cuddler.

And Palpatine. Just. Bluescreens. Like full on we passed the woman with Math gif and onto the Blue Screen of Death at the idea that Mace Windu was a cuddler. 

He can’t even remember what he was trying to do at the start of the conversation. For several hours Palpatine can’t even remember what he was trying to do with the Sith Plan. 

He just has to sit with the knowledge that Master Mace Windu, head of the Jedi Council, is a cuddler.  Palpatine does not know what to do with this knowledge.  Palpatine is not sure he wants to know what to do with this knowledge. 

As a fix it, I would say that this possible Jedi/Senatorial Orgy continues to make Palpatine crazier and crazier, dragging him into paranoia until he is gently retired from office (because everyone believes that the war cracked him, wasn’t it so sad) and sent off to a quiet lake house on Naboo. I picture him as Mr.Crocker from Fairly Odd Parents, where he twitches into all kinds of weird configurations and screams JEDI CUDDLES at the top of his lungs and tries to ‘prove’ that these orgies between Jedi and senators exist, but fails because they do not.

[a-dumb-sarcastic-bisexual]

More clone wars headcanons (it's just Ahsoka and Anakin)

No matter how only Ahsoka gets Anakin will always see her as that little 14 year old who strong-armed her way onto a battlefield 

Honestly he isn’t very aware of this but there are tiny moments when it becomes very clear 

There are moments when people ask how old his padawan is and he’ll go “Oh she’s” and he’ll take a moment for some mental calculations and say “she’s 18 kriff she’s 18” 

And he’ll kinda sit in silence with that fact for a couple of seconds 

There’s also moments when people will call him out for getting her age wrong 

Like he’ll go “Don’t bite off more than you can chew Soka you’re only 14 after all” 

Ahsoka will reminds him in two days she’s be turning 20 when Anakin argues that fact Obi-Wan reminds him that he’s 25 which would make her 20 in a couple of days Anakin just kinda stares at a wall 

Ahsoka tried to snap him out of it but Obi-Wan stopped her with a quite “let him grieve Ahsoka” 

No matter how old the two get they will always play pranks on each other if anything the intensity grows with them 

When Ahsoka when 14 she would save small handfuls of sand to put in Anakin’s shoes 

And he would have thought it was just left over from some mission if the sand didn’t keep appearing after he emptied it out 

That and he caught Ahsoka red-handed and chased her sneaky ass around the temple until they were both too tired to care 

When Ahsoka turned 20 she hid sand everywhere in his shoes and in his pockets, girl even got it in some of his mugs 

He knew it was her cause he knew her m.o but she won’t admit to it and she doesn’t stop to matter how much he begs 

The breaking point is when he finds his bed covered in sand which he deems going too far cause even tho Padme literally couldn’t care less 

He tracked her down and kept her in a headlock until she admitted defeat 

It wasn’t a chocking headlock mind you it’s just tight enough to keep her in place he just drags her around the whole base while he goes about his business 

Anakin’s prank was pretty simple he would slowly steal all her head wraps 

At first she didn’t notice anything she just thought Anakin stole one during training and put it somewhere 

But after a couple of days of not being able to find it she discovers another one went missing 

And the cycle continued like that for years 

It didn’t bother her but sometimes when she was going out with friends and couldn’t find her favorite ones you’d hear her scream “Ani where’s my leather head wrap?” 

And he’d act all innocent saying that he “has no idea what you’re talking about snips maybe you misplaced it again” 

And she’d groan and go look for a different one because she didn’t have enough time to interrogate him 

Anakin waits a couple of years to pull off his full prank which is convincing everyone he can to wear one of her head wraps and act like nothing is going on 

And he gets a good amount of people too including some of the clones and even the twins 

The only people who wholeheartedly reject being a part of the plan are Padme and Obi-Wan they discovered years ago that it isn’t wise to get involved in their prank war 

Honestly Ahsoka would have thought she lost her mind that day if she hadn’t found every single head wrap she lost hidden around her quarters 

It kind of becomes a running joke of how protective Anakin is of Ahsoka 

Some stories being blown out of proportion about how Skywalker single-handedly moved the ruble to grant her freedom form the tank 

Some say how he searched on the ground day and night when Ahsoka was captured by the hunters 

Criminals claim they barely made it out with their lives if they had Ahsoka in their custody 

They both find these stories hilarious but Obi-Wan and Padme know there is a lot of truth in those stories 

It doesn’t just stop with the enemy either this man has and will do intensive background checks on every single person Ahsoka meets 

And you best believe that potential love interests are kept under the closest watch possible 

Rex and his boys are happy to track down the person if they feel they’re acting a little sketchy 

Sometimes this ends with actual criminals being put away and sometimes this ends with Ahsoka scolding everyone who had anything to do with it 

Some people get 30+ apology letters and a promise that it will never happen again (most of those people can tell those letters were written with grit teeth and a little togruta standing close by)

Anakin does agree to tone down his protective streak and promises to never abuse his power like that again 

She didn’t make him stop giving the shovel talk to literally anyone within a three-mile radius of her (mostly cause she didn’t know he was doing it) so he considered that a win

I’m always reminded of how Anakin made it a game to count how many people their squads took out and I was wondering what other games they had 

How many times could they lie to the council without getting caught, how many times they crash a ship, and how many times they save each other's lives 

Like imagine Ahsoka tripping Anakin and before he can ask why the hell she did that a blast hits the floor and she just goes “That’s 40 for me” as she runs away 

Anakin yelled after her “yeah 40 to my 80 snips” 

Those numbers also serve as a reminder and reassurance that no matter how dangerous the situation gets they’ll never let that count stop

[palfriendpatine66]

WIP Wednesday: Pining for Life edition

As you may have gathered from my poll my thoughts have been turning back to the PiP family lately. Not that I ever truly stopped thinking up ideas for them, but I've had some serious writer's block after writing the last chapter of the series and it's been a major struggle for me to get back to it. I'm going to make an effort to do some updates for them soon. my current plans include -Water park vacation -Family Day -missing Padme -Helicopter Dad(s) - Obi-Wan's turn this time - some hurt/comfort about Obi-Wan aging

Have any other ideas you'd love to see? let me know. Continue reading for a snippet from the water park vacation

“You have got to be kidding me.”

Anakin strides out of the bathroom dressed in the tightest pair of shorts Obi-Wan has ever seen, apart from the yoga shorts incident. But the twins are changing into their bathing suits just around the corner - they’re all preparing to leave their hotel room momentarily for a day at the water park - so that can’t be what is happening right now. He’s just not sure what is. 

“What?” Anakin asks innocently as he counts up towels and packs them into a bag. 

Obi-Wan narrows his eyes in suspicion. “You’re going like that?”

“Mmhm,” Anakin doesn’t give the question his full attention. “Have you seen my water shoes anywhere? I’ve only got yours in here.” 

Obi-Wan spots the shoes and retrieves them from where they’ve migrated - one under the radiator and one on top of the microwave for some reason that he doesn’t bother to question - and hands them over. “Those shorts,” he clarifies. “That’s what you’re wearing today?” 

“Yes.” Anakin looks down at his tight bike shorts with enough concern that Obi-Wan believes it isn’t an act. “Why?” 

“Because,” Obi-Wan sighs in consternation as Luke emerges in Leia’s swim trunks, his own worn on his head. Obi-Wan takes them off and tosses them back into the kids’ room, pointing wordlessly at Luke, who sticks out his tongue as he retreats. “That hardly seems like an outfit appropriate for a family water park.” 

Anakin stares at him blankly. “You want me to put a shirt on?” 

“No!” Obi-Wan exclaims. “Actually, maybe, yes.” He pinches the bridge of his nose in a bid for patience. “I was talking about your shorts. Why are you advertising your assets on a family outing? Do you really need to -” 

“I’m going to stop you right there before you say something we both regret,” Anakin straightens up and slings the bag he’s packed over his shirtless back. Obi-Wan’s eyes follow his fingers as they run down the straps and he thinks that insisting on that shirt might be a good idea after all. “I’m not advertising my assets, you prude. I am making sure I don’t show the entire wave pool my ass-ets.” He smirks. “Or other things best kept behind closed doors.” 

“You are leaving very little up to the imagination,” Obi-Wan eyes the swell of his ass appreciatively. 

“Uh huh. Maybe you’re the one that needs to focus on keeping it family friendly,” Anakin saunters over and loops his arms around Obi-Wan’s neck.

[starplusfourletters]

Anakin is not overprotective or controlling of Ahsoka

this is me vagueing Filoni about an interview from three years ago apologies in advance

Like, I totally would have bought that dynamic if it had happened. And I’m willing to entertain any and all unreliable narrator arguments. But that’s just not what was on the screen Dave

In the movie Anakin trusts Ahsoka to deliver the Hutt kid alone. I don’t think she’s on his “people I can’t afford to lose” list until late s1 / early s2 but still 

He does act erratically in “Blue Shadow Virus” but crucially Padme is involved there too

In “Storm Over Ryloth” he puts Ahsoka in command of a space dogfight, a situation that is famously easy to control

"Weapons Factory” - he’s clearly not HAPPY about her going on the infiltration mission with Barriss but he doesn’t get in the way of it, which is kind of the point

By S3 Ahsoka is going on missions totally independent from Anakin (“The Academy,” “Assassin,” etc.) assumedly because he judges them to be a level of risk she can handle

Then she ACTUALLY DIES AND COMES BACK on Mortis and that somehow doesn’t make him Worse. Okay sure he does fall to the Dark Side but that’s pretty unrelated to her dying

And the Mortis arc goes straight into the Citadel arc, so this would be the time to show Anakin being overprotective if they were gonna show it. And the beginning of the ep does appear to be going that way, with Anakin banning her from the mission and Ahsoka saying he’s “just being protective again”. BUT BUT BUT when she shows up anyway, Anakin just rolls with it. He doesn’t compromise the mission because he’s worried about her; he uses her talents to further the mission. All of which makes me think that Ahsoka calling Anakin “overly protective” says more about her than it does about him.

And then S3 ends with the “Padawan Lost” arc, where we very explicitly see Anakin struggle with his worry for her AND OVERCOME IT. He’s right to worry - she’s literally being hunted for sport - but he’s also right to recognize that his worry isn’t helping anyone and to trust that she can get herself out of it. This character beat is HUGE too bad it can’t change the outcome of rots...

S4-S7 continue these trends - sometimes they do very dangerous things, and sometimes Ahsoka goes off on her own, and Anakin allows these things to happen and supports her when she needs it. In “Tipping Points” he finds a way to get her the weapons she needs without going against the Council AND without storming in and solving the problem for her. In “Deal No Deal” he senses her and chooses to quietly get out of her way. 

And, ya know, then we have the “Wrong Jedi” arc. Anakin doesn’t want Ahsoka going rogue to prove her innocence, but it’s because he thinks they should fix this through the official channels, AND he says he trusts her even though he disagrees with her.

Then we have THAT scene. You know the one. He “asks her back” exactly once and says she’s making a mistake, and then says he understands and lEtS hEr gO. You know, the thing the other Jedi have been saying for years that he wouldn’t be able to do. But Ahsoka leaving is dominated for me by all the things Anakin doesn’t say - he doesn’t make a particularly personal appeal (It’s I’m asking you back, not I want you back or I need you back). He doesn’t bribe or cajole or manipulate her; he accepts that “this isn’t about [him].” That is the opposite of what being controlling is. I get that it’s a little mind blowing coming from Anakin Hecking Skywalker and possibly he burned through his lifetime’s allotment of letting-people-go juice there, that’s too bad but like, that’s what you put down in this defining moment of this relationship, Dave.

It’s obvious that Anakin WORRIES about Ahsoka, but he manages - miraculously, some might say - to not make it her problem. If anything, we’re seeing him recognize those overprotective tendencies in himself and reshape them. His Whole Thing is doing everything he can to make sure she can survive on her own; to me, that reads more as Anakin having a sneaking suspicion that he’s not going to survive the war. His methods are questionable (cough “Practice Makes Perfect” cough), but that’s not him being paralyzed by the thought of Ahsoka getting into something she can’t get out of, that’s him giving her the tools he thinks she needs (and being right about it). A Jedi master is supposed to give a padawan experience without getting them killed, and he balances that remarkably well.

TLDR Anakin is the right amount of protective by the standards of the Jedi and just LUDICROUSLY underprotective by the standards of the audience

[mswyrr]

clone wars - kryze sisters episodes

clone wars 2x14 yes, satine is outplayed by palpatine - but so is *literally everyone*, including some of the oldest and most powerful jedis?

"Hysterical? The Republic is attempting to force its will upon innocent people.... Frankly, I'm surprised you're not hysterical. Perhaps if more citizens got hysterical, they'd be more inclined to speak up when the Republic tramples on their rights."

she's not wrong!! tell me she’s wrong??

her plan for getting the intel safely to padme is pretty canny too. they actually manage a temporary win against palpatine, which isn’t easy.

3x05 Padme and Satine team up! I love that Satine goes all "burn it down" at the end - she's got a fiery (lol) side too

Interesting that Satine speaks of death watch as having some form of honor and rules. she refused to believe they'd be behind the kids being hurt (and they weren’t)

3x06 I've met korkie kryze and learned the potential Satine/obi Wan love child theory lol

Pretty sad that 95 percent of mandalorians weren't warriors and it's only the warriors of various extremes left

Ahsoka and "nothing you wouldn't have done" with anakin was fun. I wish they'd explored more how much she was like her mentor (and how that's not a bad thing)

4x14 gosh, naughty teen terrorist Bo was very naughty!! those were some serious (implied due to this being a children’s show) war crimes against civilians her leader was doing. but I stanned Kira Nerys this isn't my first former terrorist (affectionate) rodeo. i love a lady getting to grow up and seek redemption.

(LOL at young bo smacking ahsoka's ass at their very first meeting)

[queen-of-mandalore]

Em’s Star Wars Rewatch part 17:

The Clone Wars #15 - Droid Factory (2x04, 2x05, 2x06)

2x04: Senate Spy

The scenes of Padme and Anakin together at the beginning were actually so cute. The show really made me see them as a couple which the movies never really did.

I love that by Anakin telling her she can’t do something, Padme instantly becomes intent on doing it.

Anakin having zero chill around Clovis.

Padme plays the innocent love sick girl so well, she manipulated Clovis masterfully.

Honestly I think Clovis took a page from Anakin’s book of pick up lines - ‘if you get tired, you can rest your head on my shoulder’ 🙄😂

Padme’s dress was stunning, although I think it was using the force to stay up 😂

The Trade Federation are such real villains. Like they are the bad guys but they aren’t overtly evil, just playing both sides and acting in their own self interest. I could easily see them existing irl.

2x05: Landing at Point Rain

This is one of those episodes that remind us just how fucking brutal war is. This isn’t our heroes rushing to victory, it’s violent and messy and all their plans go wrong. The direction of this episode is so good and gives you a sense of the pure chaos.

I love how Anakin tries to make the war fun for Ahsoka with their little competition. She is literally a child and it melts my heart that he’s trying to keep it as lighthearted as he can (plus Anakin is a child at heart as well haha). Plus it was hilarious when Mundi throws in his total at the end.

I love to see the different nose art on the LAATs. You can imagine the troopers gathering around painting them between campaigns.

The sand trooper armour was very cool.

I love Ahsoka’s sass towards Anakin.

Poor Rex being thrown off an exploding wall. His scream of pure terror is too funny 😂. He really must question what he did to deserve Anakin as his general. I also love that Ahsoka was thinking the exact same thing as Anakin when they threw him off.

The way Obi-Wan’s men fall back in a circle to protect him and the way he struggles to his feet to make his final stand 😭

2x06: Weapons Factory

I find it odd that Barriss introduces herself to Ahsoka - surely they would already know each other from growing up at the temple?

You can really tell that Anakin and Ahsoka have an unorthodox padawan/master relationship. It’s a stark contrast to Barriss and Luminara. But honestly it’s even different to what Anakin and Obi-Wan had. Ahsoka and Anakin are siblings, they bicker and they love each other.

Ahsoka and Barriss crawling through the catacombs whilst the bugs were sleeping was straight out of a horror film.

I think Luminara gets more hate than she deserves. At no point does she tell Anakin they shouldn’t search for Ahsoka and Barriss, she’s just more realistic about their prospects for survival. She cares if Barriss is alright, but she’s not going to become unstable and turn to the dark side if she loses her like Anakin would. I also think she just expresses herself differently to Anakin, she doesn’t wear her emotions on her sleeve like he does, so on the outside it might seem like she’s uncaring but I think she really does care a lot.

[redemptivexheroics]

Post Revenge Of The Sith [Ellis Orion]

Ellis now 32 years old, has maintained her stance of protecting the lives of the innocent through many methods that has her making unlikely alliances she would never had made during her time in the Jedi Order. Still keeping up with her training with the force and the lightsaber, she became sort of a peacekeeper, going to areas with tyrants and war lords and rescuing them from the tyranny. Though her acts never go unnoticed, which makes her move on soon after, trying to stay two steps ahead of the Empire. It isn’t long before she’s contacted by Obi-Wan and he informs her that Anakin survived their fight on Mustafar and he’s become something else entirely, of which Ellis is initially cold at first, claiming all that has happened in the past ten years to be his fault as well as Mace and Yoda, she warned them if they kept pushing him, Anakin was bound to turn to another source to achieve his goal of protecting Padme. She feels she lost two good friends, with hopes that one can be saved. She refuses to help, stating that if Anakin or Vader as she learned he is now called got wind of her teaming up with Obi-Wan, he would take that as a betrayal and that would kill any connection that still remains. There have been times where her endeavors had pushed her out of the light and into the dark. In the ten years that followed Order 66, Ellis has mastered her skills with a blaster, become a more efficient pilot, and learned stealth tactics. 

[phoenixyfriend]

My Obi! AU

Obi-Wan and Anakin get a blast of Future Memories a few hours before the Naboo ship lands on Tatooine. The memories reach at least as far as TCW. They are not entirely coherent. They are marginally more coherent for Obi-Wan than for Anakin, who's kind of dazed in a way that worries his mom right now, because Anakin still has a Baby Brain.

Obi-Wan insists on coming to Mos Espa because The Force Said So and Qui-Gon does in fact respect this justification since the Force is agreeing with him, and also Obi-Wan's insisting that they bring something expensive and fancy to pawn because "I get the feeling that they're not going to take Republic credits."

This is mostly an excuse to have 9yo shop kid Anakin scream "My Obi!" and slam into Obi-Wan's midsection in a hug while people look on in confusion, except Obi-Wan himself, who hugs him back and says things like "hello Anakin it's nice to see you too I missed you as well and I was rather starting to worry you didn't actually exist."

Obi-Wan to Qui-Gon: I'm keeping him. He's force-sensitive and he's going to be my padawan and I will leave the Order if they say no.

Qui-Gon: I'm so proud of you but also how are you planning on getting him out of here.

Obi-Wan and Anakin, in unison: Pod-racing.

Qui-Gon: Don’t you hate flying though?

Obi-Wan points to Anakin: No, no, he's going to podrace.

Anakin: I'm really good.

Obi-Wan: He's really good.

Just Anakin and Obi-Wan being inseparable from the get-go in ways that don't make sense to Literally Anyone, and they keep referencing events that never happened, but also Anakin is Too Baby to be bitter like his older self.

Maybe this is just shortly post-O66 so Anakin can cry about having nightmares about being Vader that Obi-Wan can comfort him from while still being relieved that Anakin isn't EVIL evil and also he can keep an eye on Palps.

(Qui-gon is so proud. Everyone else is Very Confused.)

(Also, Anakin is cuddle-sized again!)

Anakin's memories of the future are SO SCRAMBLED the only things he knows is Mom Isn't Dead Anymore, Padme Is The Best, and Obi-Wan Is DadBrother. Shmi has a minimal idea of what's going on but this is the first time Anakin's stopped trying to crawl into her lap while bawling all day, so Obi-Wan's on her good side (for now).

Anakin keeps bouncing around like a pinball between Obi, Padme, Qui-Gon, and Shmi.

Sometimes he says hi to Jar Jar or gets super excited about Droids Being Friends

Biggest bond is Obi-Wan because he Remembers Things, though

Also I really want Anakin to insistently refer to him as "My Obi," because he can't call him master here and he's too impatient, as a 9yo, to call him Obi-Wan.

(The word isn't a trigger since he programmed C-3P0 to call him master, but he's concerned about freaking out his mom or accidentally causing Watto to pick a fight.)

Obi-Wan: I'm keeping him.

Qui-Gon: If you weren't going to, I would have.

Obi-Wan: Yeah I know. That’s how things went last time

(Alternately: I know, that's why I claimed him first.)

Obi-Wan: This child is mine now.

Shmi: A-hem.

Anakin: Mom, this guy is my brother now.

Obi-Wan: I am going to risk my life for you so many times.

(Obi-Wan insists on freeing Shmi as well because Ma'am.)

I just. Soft. Make it soft.

Anakin just slipping into Obi's robes while Obi-Wan is having a conversation, Obi-Wan puts a hand on his head without breaking verbal stride, Anakin beams up at the person because he got wrapped in Safe Fabrics with a Safe Person.

I just want Anakin to be an Innocent Baby while having all the years of trust and affection for his dadbrotherteacherfriend.

[gffa]

“Peace, Master?  You will never know peace again.  And neither will I.  No peace for anyone... ever again.” FUCKING OUCH. Like, this whole comic is kicked off by Vader searching for the truth about Padme, the truth about Luke Skywalker, all while remembering moments from the past, both good and painful memories, all under the great umbrella storyline of Anakin’s connection to people he might turn back to the light for and the horrible things he’s done to people that he carries with him, that he never lets go of, that he only uses them to keep himself subsumed in pain and anger. And it’s viciously painful to have Anakin thinking of the Jedi children he murdered in an arc that’s jumping off the storyline where he learns that Luke Skywalker is his son.  To have him on the brink of maybe doing something decent again, on the edge of maybe turning back to the light, of finding anyone but Sidious to turn towards--and then contrast that with his memory of killing those children.  Not just maiming them as he did with Luke, but murdering them in his own fear and pain. That he thinks he’ll never know peace again, because he murdered innocents, because the dark side isn’t peace, because Sidious has once again reminded him that fear and pain and anger and hate are all there is. For everyone.  No one can escape the fundamental truth of the galaxy:  That there is no peace for anyone ever again.  If Anakin Skywalker can’t have peace, then it doesn’t exist, because that’s what the dark side has taught him.  And he has to believe it, because the idea of turning back from everything he sunk into the dark side, having to live with the idea that there could be other choices, that he could climb the impossibly tall sides of the pit he’s dug himself into, it’s too terrifying. This is how he started his journey in Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith and this is how he continues that journey.  He wavered for a moment, he let Luke escape, he let Sabe escape, he’s stumbling over his feelings, over maybe a seed of hope flickering in him, one we know will eventually flower into something beautiful in Return of the Jedi.  But for right now?

“No.  I refuse.  “This is all there is.” --Darth Vader, 19 BBY “Peace, Master?  You will never know peace again.  And neither will I.  No peace for anyone... ever again.” --Darth Vader, 3 ABY And that’s why he’ll stand there and watch Palpatine electrocute Luke for so long, because he’s spent over two decades having that seed of hope crushed again and again, sometimes by Sidious, but even more by himself and his own memories and his inability to let go of them. Because it takes him that long to finally let go of the dark and have a selfless moment again, to choose the light, and to choose peace again.

[smhalltheurlsaretaken]

do you think the jedi prohibit 'frivolous uses of the force'?? because i see it a lot in fic but i swear i distinctly remember obi-wan using the force to pull a literal chair over lmfao

Yoooo, I've been wanting to write a post about that for like a week xD Okay, so here's the thing: I started answering this one, confident that I knew where the use of the word 'frivolous' came from - but it turned out that I was wrong, so I'm actually a bit baffled about its origin. But here goes:

(@cacodaemonia I know you were interested in this topic?)

No, I don't think the Jedi prohibit that. I don't think the Jedi even have 'frivolous' use of the Force as a concept. The idea that they prohibit it, or at least frown upon it, is very likely rooted in the AotC scene of Anakin levitating a piece of fruit.

Wookieepedia cites that scene and that scene only on the topic of frivolousness in the page on Telekinesis.

But the word frivolous isn't used in that scene! Who came up with it? Obi-Wan being grumpy about Anakin levitating the fruit could mean just about anything. Maybe Jedi frown upon showing off in front of a diplomat you're meant to be protecting in a professional way. Maybe Obi-Wan and only Obi-Wan disapproves of Anakin levitating stuff because he kept doing it around the apartment as a kid, just to be a little shit. Maybe Jedi frown upon playing with your food with the Force, which wouldn't necessarily be linked with it being 'frivolous' but just with 'don't be gross.'

Now I thought it came from the novelization using that specific word, but it doesn't! The novelization is based on the original script as opposed to the dialogue in the movie (it actually came out before the movie, so that's why) and the scene is longer in them both and seems to confirm what I said about how it could mean a lot of other things (because he isn't just levitating it originally, he's playing with it):

(novelization)

PADME: You did that? [ANAKIN looks up - wide-eyed innocence.] ANAKIN: What? [PADME scowls at him. PADME jabs at the fruit - ANAKIN subtly moves his hand and it lifts up from the plate and hovers in front of her.] PADME: That! Now stop it! [PADME laughs. ANAKIN laughs. She reaches out for the fruit - it loops.] PADME (continuing): Anakin!! [ANAKIN moves his fingers. The fruit flies into his hand.] ANAKIN: I'm not really supposed to do that... for fun, I mean. If Master Obi-Wan were here, he'd be very grumpy. [ANAKIN is pleased. He cuts the fruint (sic) into several pieces and sends one back to PADME. She bites it out of the air and laughs.]

(script)

Even taking Anakin at face value, this does not say there is an Order-wide ban on 'frivolous' uses of the Force. Again, maybe Force-assisted food shenanigans are frowned upon. Maybe Anakin isn't supposed to mess with people with the Force for fun. Maybe it's just Anakin assuming, as he sometimes does.

I think 'frivolous' might come from one of the EU books - it's not from No Prisoners (the Karen Travis TCW book) though, so I have no idea who might have used it in that context first??

Anyway, the issue in fic is that 'frivolous' is often confused with 'casual.' Hence the Obi-Wan thing imo.

One, 'frivolous' is judgy - it gives it a sense of sin, something that the Jedi... don't seem to have that much of a concept of? Dressing 'immodestly' isn't condemned, for example. I don't see the Order as a whole (there are sticks in the mud everywhere) having a thing against a concept as vague as 'frivolousness.' I mean... Yoda? His whole idea of fun is to mess with people and cackle, and his teaching methods include massive trolling, teasing the grown-up Masters with his gaggle of kiddos and whatnot. You cannot tell me Yoda never tugged on somebody's cloak to make them trip.

Two, frivolous and casual aren't the same thing. Obi-Wan pulling the chair falls into the casual use category imo - and yes, we do see him and others do this kind of casual stuff many times! (Off the top of my head: Obi-Wan grabs the map-ball thingy from the map-reader in AotC - in front of younglings, so there's no fear of a bad example being set - Yoda calls his stick to his hand in AotC, Obi-Wan pulls a chair in TCW s2, Jedi call their lightsabers to them all the time - though it's usually in combat settings, so it doesn't necessarily count, Obi-Wan closes a door in AotC - I think Ewan was the one who thought it'd be neat to do it? Idk...)

And I don't agree that "it goes to show their hypocrisy" or whatever. What, because we assume that's what Anakin meant in the AotC scene and because we assume it's 100% an Order-wide thing, and we assume that the Jedi would view using the Force for daily tasks as frivolous, then every single instance of Jedi using the Force for simple every day stuff is hypocritical?! Even though floating freaking fruit around somebody's head and pulling up a chair are absolutely not the same thing? The latter is something you would do no matter whether you use the Force or not - pulling a chair is a normal thing to do. Playing with fruit around someone is a rude thing to do. There's a difference whether or not 'frivolous' stuff is frowned upon.

And also, using the Force is a natural thing. The Jedi do it like they breathe - it's all around them and they're aware of it constantly, and it's not always something they can turn on or off. It's natural that they would use it for daily stuff, and the level of respect that comes attached with using it would necessarily vary from one Jedi to the other. Just look at Quinlan. What, jumping out of a gunship to make an entrance isn't frivolous? Well, Quinlan is a Master, so his views on it are just as valid - just as Jedi - as anybody else's. (Plus Obi-Wan - the Council Member - gives him grief for being late, not for just for being ridiculous, so again - rudeness.)

I can see some Masters being against using the Force with carelessness - and yeah, I can also see some Masters being against using it in a 'fun' way - because you have to be careful with that stuff, but it probably would generate debate. There wouldn't be a definite consensus on what is too much and what isn't.

If "the Jedi all frown upon casually using the Force" is something that Lucas intended to convey in the movie, please correct me and give me a source.

Though it is also entirely possible that Obi-Wan was meant to be a bit hypocritical about it - because he and Anakin have their tensions, and as somewhat of a parental figure it's only natural that he would scold Anakin for stuff that isn't that big of deal, or that he himself has done, because that's what every person who's ever been in charge of a younger person has done at some point. So sure, maybe Obi-Wan scolded Anakin for being too casual with the Force? But I still don't see it as a Big Rule that is in the Jedi Code That Must Not Be Violated and that get you Shamed and Shunned if you dare to have fun with the Force.

(Honestly, it reminds me of 'your Lightsaber is your Life' thing, and Ahsoka and Anakin both separately whining that their Master was going to kill them for losing/breaking theirs. There's a certain level or respect and care expected, the Masters (or... only Obi-Wan and Anakin, lol) nag a bit, aren't always careful enough themselves, the kids make a big deal out of it in front of other people, but ultimately there are zero repercussion whatsoever for actually failing to follow the Master's nagging. Like, Jocasta tells Ahsoka Anakin would totally understand, and it's Ahsoka who insists he wouldn't and makes it into a big thing.)

Again, having Masters tell their students to be respectful of the Force and not to treat it like a joke? Sure. Showing off with the Force in a rude manner being called 'frivolous,' and it being a bad thing? I could see it. Having Masters get pissy about pulling chairs, closing doors or whatever - about doing things you can do with your hands with the Force instead? Maybe, but it wouldn't be an Order-wide thing.

One thing's for certain, we never see a Master directly scolding a student for using the Force casually in the Prequels, the OT or TCW, much less calling it 'frivolous.'

So yeah, gimme Jedi levitating stuff to clean up under the furniture xD

[owkse]

Obi Wan Kenobi ~ The Dark Side

Chapter 24

Chapter 23

Pain, deep, deep darkness.

You don’t recall how you got here. At least not immediately. One minute you were at the temple using R2-D2 to deactivate the droids, and the next you were facing down Sith Lords in order to protect the temple and its inhabitants after the failure of order sixty six. You do remember before engaging in a battle, the recall of all Jedi to the temple, but everything was so foggy.

Speaking about foggy. You looked around finding nothing but grey smog, blanketing around you. As you stood or floated you have no idea which, it was then you heard a voice.

‘Y/N’ it whispered.

‘Who are you?’ You called almost childishly.

‘Come to me, you’ll see’ came its reply.

You stepped hesitantly, expecting to fall, when you didn’t you followed to where the voice was. Reaching a clearing in the greyness, you were met with a women who looked very much like you.

‘Hello Y/N’ smiled the women.

‘Who are you?’ You asked tilting your head.

‘Have a guess’ smiled the women, spreading her arms in invitation.

‘You’re my Mother aren’t you’ you whispered.

‘I am, my names Tialvo, but you may call me Tia, I’m so very proud of you, you’ve become an extraordinary Jedi, and a Jedi Master at that’ smiled Tia.

‘Am I dead?’ You asked knowing your Mother died during childbirth.

‘No, you are somewhat at a divergence’ smiled Tia still.

‘I don’t understand’ you whispered.

‘You have a choice to make, become one with the force or continue to progress the Jedi Order further’ said Tia.

‘But why me? Anakin is the chosen one right? He’s supposed to bring balance to the force’ you said.

‘You know now he needs guidance’ said Tia cryptically.

‘I don’t, I… I can’t remember how I got here’ you said panicked.

‘Shh, calm yourself, you do know, follow me’ whispered Tia, holding out her hand.

Slipping your hand into hers you followed her into the force, watching the events that had unfolded before.

You walked with the remaining Jedi Council members to face the, two hooded figures. You gasped when you saw Anakin remove his hood along with Palpatine. The guards remained behind you keeping the order back just in case of an impending attack.

‘You’re not welcome here Sith, leave now and we will spare your lives’ said Windu.

‘We are not scared, you underestimate our power’ snarled Anakin.

‘Anakin, you know ultimate power isn’t the way to go’ called Secura.

‘You know nothing of the power I speak, it’s to protect Padme’ said Anakin.

‘No power is worth the destruction of innocent lives’ said Kit Fitso.

Everyone was so unsure of how to approach the two, Anakin was one yours. At least he was.

‘Who was the clever little Jedi who figured it all out?’ Asked Palpatine, a sense of something sinister surrounding his words.

‘Me’ you said stepping forward, ignoring Windus warning through the force.

‘Well, well, clever little girl… you really are a treasure, you would do well as my apprentice, all you have to do is say yes, and the one you love the most would be safe forever’ smiled Palpatine.

‘Is that what he promised you Anakin, Padme’s life… you know she would die of heartbreak knowing what you are’ you said turning to the man.

‘I would have given her peace in the new Empire, you took that away’ hissed Anakin.

‘You know I didn’t, I’ve protected the only family I know, yes they’re flawed but they learn with each mistake and evolve, can you really say that about the Sith?’ You pleaded.

‘The Jedi never once appreciated me and my power, but you they always defer to you, you took my place on the council, you’ve become a master, you just take and take’ hissed Anakin spitting now.

‘Anakin think of Padme, think of your mother’ you pleaded again.

That turned out to be the worst thing you could have said, next thing you knew Anakin was shooting powerful electrical charges not only at you but the Jedi order. Without thought you channelled the force as the Jedi behind you dropped to the floor, in an attempt to shield themselves.

‘Such power’ whispered Palpatine delighted as you absorbed the power into your palm.

‘Join us, and we will make you great’ cackled Palapatine.

‘Never’ you said standing strong despite the effort you just put into channelling the force the way you did.

‘Then we must eradicate the threat’ hissed Palpatine producing his blade in sync with Anakin.

Suddenly you found yourself stuck in a force dome with the two Sith. You cursed yourself for missing the device, but you had no time to dwell. Drawing your own sabre, the orange colour lighting your face, you began to duel the two.

You danced around the two, anticipating their moves with grace, using a defensive fighting style to conserve your energy. But you were beginning to tire. And so was you concentration, a few fairly deep knicks had you staggering. Your thoughts strolled to Obi Wan, and that gave you the strength to fight on.

‘Your precious Obi Wan will to late, he’ll cradle your corpse and then only then will I kill him’ hissed Anakin.

You forced pushed him at that, changing to more fierce fighting style.

‘There it is, use the anger, let it channel through you’ hissed Palpatine pleased with your reaction.

That made you stagger back, now on the defensive, your steps faltering. You were losing focus, and it only got worse, upon the sensation of a familiar person entering the planet, did you receive a devastating blow to your shoulder blade making you drop to your knees.

You could sense the pain from the order watching you fall, you could feel Obi Wan, begging you to hold on. You knew he wouldn’t make it, you did what you could, you fought and fought, rolling taking more cuts as your movements became sluggish. With one final act you threw your lightsaber, cutting Anakin as it traveled destroying the force dome generator.

However, upon that heroic act, a red sabre plunged into your stomach. You collapsed, looking up, seeing several star fighters travelling down, unable to see its occupants, everything went dark.

‘Oh’ you said when you couldn’t see what happened after, your hand subconsciously rubbing your stomach.

‘You were truly brave’ said Tia.

‘What do I do now? The Sith is gone surely’ you said.

‘Yes the order made sure of that, Skywalker is locked up awaiting trial’ said Tia gravely.

‘Oh’ you said disappointed.

‘You expect more from them?’ Asked Tia.

‘I… yes, I fear that Anakin has reaffirmed their belief that attachment leads to the dark side’ you said.

‘Hmm then I think you have your answer, anyway someone’s been very keen for you to wake up’ smiled Tia.

‘What about you? I don’t want you to be alone’ you said sadly, Tia stroking the side of your face tucking some hair behind your ear.

‘I’m with the force, so I’m with you, always’ said Tia placing her hand over your heart.

‘Goodbye… Mum’ you said watching the women move into the fog.

‘Goodbye my love’

You suddenly found yourself falling, pain beginning to riddle through your body. With a gasp you landed, opening your eyes you blinked staring at the bright white ceiling in the Hall of Healing. Feeling a warm weight on your hand, you tilted your head to the side, looking into a set of warm, worried, stormy eyes.

‘Hello there’

Chapter 25

[sirikenobi12]

War & the Jedi

This will be a long meta rant, FYI.

The Jedi Order, specifically the Prequel era Jedi Order, gets a lot of hate these days particularly regarding their involvement in the Clone Wars. Accusations are tossed at their feet constantly ranging from corruption all the way up to warmongering. 

Let’s first look at the Oxford English Dictionary definition of these two accusations, shall we?

Corruption - having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain.

Warmonger - a person who encourages or advocates aggression towards other countries or groups.

The definitions of these two words are so very misunderstood when it comes to relation to the Jedi. If the Jedi are truly “corrupt” then where are the examples of their dishonesty for wealth or personal gain? In fact, I’d argue that canon (and Legends) makes a point to show us that it is the Sith who are in it for personal gain, not the Jedi. The Jedi have absolutely NOTHING to gain from this war on a personal level, in fact they are losing members in terrifying numbers.

The Jedi are also not advocating aggression towards the Separatists, in fact what we see instead is the Jedi DEFENDING against the Separatists. I have yet to see in either canon or legends an instance where the Republic forces invade a Separatist planet who doesn’t have an army or some military involvement (i.e. weapon factories). However, time after time we see the Separatists forcing peaceful planets who want nothing to do with them to either bow to their cause or die (i.e. Ryloth, Lurmen planet, Kiros, Mandalore) the Jedi and Republic Troops will then follow the Separatists to these planets, but they try to do what they can to liberate the planet from the Separaist invasion and then they give the planet the OPTION to join the Republic for safety and economic reasons, but they never force them, as is super evident with Mandalore.

Yet people don’t seem to see this and continue to drag the Jedi through the mud. 

Here are the top 5 other “woke” takes I hear - 

Jedi are peacekeepers and should not have gotten involved:

 First things first, let’s look at the definition of Peacekeeper - a soldier, military force, etc., deployed to maintain or restore peace. 

I’d argue by that definition the Jedi were still peacekeepers, it’s true that they weren’t a 3rd party as they normally were before the war, but their position was trying to maintain or restore peace. Peacekeeper is not the same thing as a Pacifist, the Jedi were skilled warriors (training from childhood to wield a lightsaber), the difference is Jedi used their skills for defense not attack which is what we constantly saw throughout the Clone Wars. 

With regards to the idea that Jedi “should not have gotten involved” I ask you then what exactly were they supposed to do instead?

 We see at the beginning of Attack of the Clones that the Jedi are worried things will escalate to war, they have obviously gone to the Chancellor hoping that a diplomatic solution can be presented to avoid bloodshed. Or if that isn’t possible then that the Republic have some way to defend themselves other than relying solely on the Jedi (i.e. an army). The Separatists are the ones pushing them to a breaking point, were the Jedi just supposed to stand back and let innocent people be invaded/killed because they didn’t want to get involved? The Jedi were “Guardians of Peace and Justice” which means it was their duty to help bring about peace in the galaxy while also enacting justice. 

Then after Geonosis (where they lost approx. 187 members mind you) they learned that the Sith are leading the Separatist army - the Jedi are duty bound by their code to fight the Sith, they had no choice but to join the war. 

So, I ask again...what were they supposed to do instead?

2.  Jedi used a slave army for their own purposes:

 Okay, I can (and probably will) write a whole argument based on just this accusation alone. There are so many fallacies I don’t even know where to begin but I’ll try. 

I guess my first question is the same as #1, what were the Jedi supposed to do instead with regards to the Clones? 

Technically speaking the Clones didn’t “belong” to the Jedi, they were “property” of the Republic (as stated by Lama Su in Attack of the Clones). In fact, the Jedi Council not only didn’t know about the order, they had vehemently denied Syfo Dias’ earlier request to raise an army in the first place. The Sith KNEW the Jedi would be against it, this was all part of their plan to trap the Jedi (as was EVERYTHING about the war) - they clouded the Force, they literally deleted Kamino from the Archives so the Jedi wouldn’t discover it until the Sith WANTED them to (i.e. Jango just happened to use a Kamino dart?? Come on people). Yoda even states “blind we are if creation of this clone army we could not see” he fully admits they missed it because the Dark Side was clouding their vision. 

Regardless, the army was created, there was no changing that fact. Had the Jedi not taken command of the army do you think the Clones wouldn’t have had to go to war? Do  you actually believe that the Republic who couldn’t get their citizens to give 2 craps about the war would’ve taken up the mantle and fought instead? Do you think if the Jedi were like “thanks, but we didn’t order this” that the Kamioans would’ve just let the Clones go free? 

The answer you’re looking for is...no. 

So, like absolutely everything about the Clone Wars the Jedi did the best they could with the cards they had been dealt. They chose to lead the army on the front lines, putting themselves in just as much mortal danger as the men they were leading. They even sent a member of the Jedi Council to oversee the creation of future clones/training to ensure they were being treated humanely (something the Kamioans thought was ridiculous). They were the first to tell the clones that they were individuals, they constantly put themselves in front of their men to protect them (i.e. season 7 Obi-Wan deflecting the rocket from blowing up his men). The Jedi did what they could, just because we didn’t see on screen Jedi stopping to grieve every time a clone died did not mean that they didn’t care - real life Generals can’t stop in the middle of a battle to grieve over their fallen soldiers either, so why is it we consider it a moral crime if the Jedi don’t?

Another thing I’ll add is once the Jedi had evidence that the Clones were actually ordered by Dooku, did they immediately stop and say “oh hell no, these flesh droids can’t be trusted, we should just have them decommissioned”?? NO! They defended the Clones, stating that they were good men and should be trusted (and look where that trust got them in the end).

The Jedi were forced/coerced to fight this war as much as the Clones were!! Why are we willing to forgive the Clones, but not the Jedi???

3. Ki-Adi-Mundi killing Geonosians was the same as Anakin’s slaughter at the Tusken camp: 

This is another moment where context is everything because there is a HUGE difference between Ki-Adi-Mundi on Geonosis and Anakin in the Tusken camp. The fact that I have to even spell it out makes me wonder how people can even dress themselves in the morning. 

The Geonosians were an opposing military force, attacking Ki-Adi and his troops. Anakin slaughtered unarmed women and children out of vengeance. 

Now, had Ki-Adi turned to his men and screamed “to the catacombs!” brandishing his lightsaber with a murderous glint in his eyes and proceeded to cut down the unarmed bugs below the battle then you’d have an accurate comparison on your hands and I’d be appalled right there with you.

But, as it stands this is not the same thing...not even close.

4. The Jedi sent children to war: 

So, this is a tougher one and I can even understand the concerns behind it, and I even share some of those concerns. The thing I will say to this is, given what we see throughout Star Wars, what constitutes a “child” seems to be different than our own real world definition. 

Padme, for example, was 14 when she was elected Queen, and she wasn’t even the youngest ever elected. She (and her handmaids) were trained as children to defend themselves and their people both politically and in battle (much like Jedi), but you don’t hear people condemning the people/traditions of Naboo the way we see the Jedi being condemned for theirs.

Jedi children arguably mature faster than your standard person, and with regards to Star Wars there are also species’ age ranges to keep in mind. Grogu for example is still a baby at age 50, could it be possible that Ahsoka at age 14 is on the same maturity level as a human in their early twenties due to her Togruta DNA?? We don’t know, it’s never stated other than Anakin saying something about because of her advanced skills he forgets how young she is. 

Obviously Boba Fett is treated like an adult by other Bounty Hunters - no one even questions when he picks up a job and is placed in charge of a group at age 12 or 13 (and he is placed in an adult prison without anyone questioning it). It could be that by law according to Star Wars that 13 is actually considered an adult. Throughout history (and in many different cultures) 13 was when people were considered to be “coming of age”, So, once again we’re placing our cultural biases onto a fictional space fantasy world without realizing it might not even be an issue in that world.  

But even beyond all of that I ask you again - what else should the Jedi have done? 

Their young Padawans would eventually have to grow into Jedi Knights, even before the war by the time they are teenagers they usually followed their Masters on missions (often very dangerous missions) in order to get real world experience. At the time of the Clone Wars the real world they were living in was one at war. If they hadn’t brought their Padawans onto the battlefield how else would they have learned how to strategize, or how to cope with the emotions of battle? They would’ve been ill prepared if the war had continued on for years and years as it had looked like it was going to do...once again, the Jedi had no real choice in this. 

5. The Jedi lost their way because of the war: 

Did they though?? I’d argue they actually didn’t. We first have to ask ourselves what is a Jedi - well, according to the very first time we hear any type of a description about a Jedi they are introduced as the “Guardians of Peace and Justice for the Republic” I don’t see how the war took that away from them. 

The Oxford definition of Guardian is a defender, protector, or keeper. I fail to see how the Jedi stopped being any of these things because of the war.

Here’s the bottom line, the Jedi’s biggest mistake was that they fell for a plot 1,000 years in the making. The Sith spent over a millenia perfecting/hatching this plan, there was nothing the Jedi could’ve done to prevent the war by the time the trap was sprung. As always, I’m not saying the Jedi were perfect (I hate that I have to always specify that when I argue that the Jedi were good), all I’m saying is they tried to do the most good that they could with the situation they fell into - few groups/characters can claim the same thing.

Everyone seems to forget that the Sith controlled BOTH SIDES to that war, there was nothing - absolutely NOTHING the Jedi could’ve done that would’ve changed or won that war. So, instead they saved as many innocent lives as they could and to me, that’s very Jedi. 

[qqueenofhades]

and in this stillness, peace

The ride into the desert -- familiar enough after ten years living in the desolate wastes of Tatooine -- is like something out of a dream. Obi-Wan keeps cranking his head around, staring at the shimmering ghost that crosses the dunes in step with him, unperturbed by the heat and the blowing sand and the blinding sunlight, as placid as if they only last saw each other a few days ago, and not a decade. As if none of it ever happened, and yet, and yet --

“What do you mean,” Obi-Wan says at last, surreptitiously pinching himself beneath the white Jedi tunic he finally felt worthy enough to put back on, just to be sure that this is really happening, “that it took me long enough, Master?”

Qui-Gon smiles the exact same demure, maddening half-smile that he used to employ when Obi-Wan, as a Padawan, was struggling with some mysterious facet of the Force which he then would promptly figure out and feel rather stupid for not seeing before. “What do you think, Obi-Wan?”

“I don’t understand.” Just then, the eopie hits a bump, and Obi-Wan has to clutch desperately onto the saddle horn to prevent himself from an undignified tumble. “I’ve been asking for you this whole time, and now you decide to appear to me? In the middle of the desert, on my way home from some mundane errand? You could have done so any time before now, and not -- "

Qui-Gon raises an ironic eyebrow. “Could I have? I think you’ll find, Obi-Wan, that you were the one who could not see me, and not that I did not come. Besides. I would hardly call what you did with the Skywalker boy mundane.”

Obi-Wan opens his mouth, realizes that as usual, he’s going to lose an argument with his famously, legendarily stubborn Master, then shuts it. They continue to ride and walk (if what a Force ghost does can be called walking) for several minutes in silence, as Obi-Wan keeps stealing sidelong glances just to make sure that Qui-Gon hasn’t disappeared again. He can’t believe this is real, though perhaps he has finally reconciled himself, however it can be done, to the agonizing grief and guilt that has hounded and hunted and harrowed him for these past ten years. It never let him rest enough to truly reach for the Force, to sink into it as fully and completely as he once did, and he was too frightened, besides. But he is... not happy now, not really. He left his heart behind him just as he did on Mustafar, and on Alderaan, and back there at the Lars farm. He can never truly be happy again, he thinks. But he can be at a still point, balanced, meditative, ready to move forward, to see what his days are yet to bring him. And that, if nothing else, is a gift beyond price.

They walk together, Master and Padawan, living Jedi and dead one, for some hours. Then, as thick purple twilight begins to veil the stark cliffs and outcrops of rough desert stone in shadow, Obi-Wan swings down and starts a campfire. Qui-Gon stands a few feet away, his hair and robe fluttering in the night breeze, and Obi-Wan reaches out for him convulsively. “Master,” he whispers, agonized and astonished. “You’re here. You’re really here.”

“In a manner of speaking.” Qui-Gon reaches out one spectral hand and lays it on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. There isn’t an actual presence or the weight of physical flesh, but Obi-Wan can feel it nonetheless, Qui-Gon’s affection and pride and love for him as strong and true as it ever was, and it almost buckles him at the knees. “And this time, I will stay as long as you need me to.”

“I have so many questions,” Obi-Wan manages, his eyes full of tears and his throat choked like a fist, his heart aching in his chest, but this time it is with a joy beyond words and the memories of everything and everyone he has loved -- Anakin’s smile, and Padme’s bravery, and Leia, the perfect alchemy of everything that was the best about both of them, and Luke, who is innocent and kind and growing up here with an uncle and aunt who love him like their bones and breath. “So many.”

Qui-Gon smiles, and his eyes reflect the stars, the rising crescent of Tatooine’s moons, and all of time and eternity and death is nothing, folded away like an old robe, and they are together again as if all the pain was only a dream, the night has ended, and now a new day has finally broken. “We have time,” he says gently, and sits down across from Obi-Wan, on the other side of the fire. “Come now, my Padawan. It is time to tell you everything.”

[sinfulskywalker]

Okay listen, I love Star-bright, optimistic, ‘there’s good in everyone’ Luke Skywalker just as much as everyone else but I always wanted to see a much more realistic take on him.

A realistic Luke Skywalker would not believe that there was good in his father after everything he has done to him, his friends, and the galaxy.

Luke isn’t like Obi-Wan or Ahsoka or Padme where they had relationships with the impulsive but well intended and caring Anakin Skywalker.

Luke doesn’t know Anakin, only Vader. Vader the monster who killed countless innocents, caused genocides, killed a man he’s known since he was a little boy, hunted him down across the galaxy like an animal, tortured his friends to get to him, and even when he knew Luke was his son, cut off his hand and tries to manipulate him into joining him.

There was an old saying in Tattooine that the slaves have, “Death is better than bondage.”

That’s what whispered in Luke’s mind as he fell off Bespin City into his almost certain death. And it is what continues to whisper to him every close call with Vader he has.

Better to be dead, than to be a slave to the dark side.

This Luke hates his father. And it was no outside sources or imaginary ‘traitor’ as Vader claims that lead him to feel this way, but from witnessing and experiencing Vader’s cruelty and madness himself.

Luke hates his ‘father ‘ with every fiber of his being. His ‘father’, the greatest Jedi to have ever lived, the chosen one, who allowed himself to fall to the dark side by Palpatine instead of telling the Jedi the truth and getting help, yes he probably would have been expelled from the order but at least he’d still have his family and friends.

But no, his lust for power and delusions were so strong that he even force choked his own pregnant wife.

Ben once told him that strength and power were two different things. Power is dominance, it feeds on you like a parasite and makes you crave more. Strength makes you want to be better, to protect those you care about.

Anakin wanted strength and confused it for power.

And now, Darth Vader wants to turn his own son into a another version of himself; a weak-willed, broken, pathetic thing who shackled himself to Palpatine. To make him a slave like the masters of Tattooine would.

But Luke will not be Anakin or Vader, he will be better.

He hates Vader yes, but he loves his friends, the galaxy, and the rebellion even more. He uses love as a motivation, not hate, not fear, not lust for power.

Luke tells Vader all of this one day.

I’m curious to see how crazy dad Vader would react to this.

The thing is Anon, the "there's good in everyone" Luke everyone talks about IS realistic Luke. He loved Anakin and saw him in Vader and tried to save him. Luke acknowledged Vader IS Anakin, only corrupted by the dark.

If you want to tie it in with my headcanon of crazy dad Vader then Hell is going to break loose because Vader loves Luke more than anyone. Luke is the love child he thought he lost to Obi Wan's betrayal and Padme's broken heart. In Vader's narcissistic mind he hears: his child doesn't love him. In it's entirety. That may not be what Luke means, Luke loves Anakin and wants to save HIM and let Vader die. Vader feels he's left being Anakin, for Anakin Skywalker was weak. Vader will not have Luke escape. Luke will be by his side always.

[where-fantasy-meets-reality]

“We’re Not Promised Tomrrow” Chapter 7 “The Senate District.”

(Not my photo. Found on Google.)

Masterlist      Chapter 6

Pairing: Obi-Wan Kenobi x Fem. OC

Word Count: 2.9 K

Warning:  Obi-Wan is a fool and needs to get out of his own head. Emily isn’t much better. Bless Ahsoka for being innoceant. These two need to get it together. 

A/N: Things are getting....intereasting for these two. I love this story so far and I can’t wait for it to really get going! Hope you are all enjoying and let me know if you want to be added to the tag list. As always thank you for all your support. 

- - - - - - - - - - 

Padme had a large, lavish penthouse apartment in the Senate District. The main area was filled with beautiful cream colored sofas that were low to the ground, and adorned with blue and gold pillows.

The floor was a red and white design made of the finest stones from her home planet. Exquisite objects and works of art from Naboo lined the room and the walls. In the middle of the seating area sat a small golden fountain.

And the penthouses most impressive feature, or atleast in Obi-Wan’s mind, was the open air balcony off of the sitting room.

Gorgeous white columns draped in the same color linen lined the apartment and extended out onto the balcony; which was flanked by two larger than life gold statues of the winged Goddess Shiraya, who was the Naboo Goddess of the moon. The balcony looked out onto a stunning view of downtown Corosuant. The Jedi Temple could even be seen in the distance.

The senator's apartment was full of beings this evening, and all of them were interested in talking with the Jedi about their take on Senitor Amidala’s initiative.

Emily, Ashoka, Anakin and Obi-Wan mingled their way around the room. Despite some of the other senators drinking, the Jedi did not drink while they were on business, so they settled on some punch instead. However, they occasionally would pick at the hors d’oeuvres as they were paraded on trays that were carried by waiters. ‘

Obi-Wan quietly watched the way Anakin had behaved and moved around Padme. He seemed to be very comfortable around her. They clearly were close. Obi-Wan was starting to wonder if there was more going on between the two of them.

He had warned Anakin so many times about his emotions getting the better of him and clouding his thoughts. Still, he had hoped that if he ever did anything about his emotions, that he would tell him about it. Fear and anger over his actions, bottling them up would lead him down a dark path.

As a human would obviously understand, he’d be upset as his mentor and as a Jedi, but he would ultimately understand if Anakin ever fell to temptation with Padme. If that did happen, he would want to help his friend in any way he could.

Scanning the room, he found his other two comrades. Ashoka was holding her own just fine, he pleasantly observed. Conversing with two senators, she was explaining why this initiative was important to the order with her first hand experience from the field. She had a considerably higher amount of field experience than other Padawans her age, due to all the assignments they took her out on.

Obi-Wan couldn’t wait to see what kind of Jedi she would become in the future. She was patient and strong. She trusted herself and the Force, a sign of her being trained well. Her skills with a saber were good and she was a quick learner. He chuckled thinking that she may prove to be a match for even Anakin in her own time Obi-wan thought to himself.

He sipped his punch causally. While this evening wasn’t what he had envisioned when he had asked Emily to dinner, he wasn’t entirely disappointed either, it was not the one on one time that he had hoped for but the atmosphere was definitely an improvement from the Temple Mess Hall. But atleast, he was with his best friends. It was nice enjoying their company in an environment where they didn’t have to fight for their lives. Truthfully, if he thought about it, his whole life was in this room.

Ashoka and Anakin were like his brother and sister. Their shared experiences had made them feel like family to him. Padme was a dear friend, one of the few he had outside of the order; and he knew she was important to Anakin. That fact extended her importance to him. Then there was Senator Bail Organa. He and Obi-Wan were close friends who often worked together when they could. He also knew that Bail and Padme were very close to one another, similar to his bond with his fellow Jedi. Bonds of friendship, love and family flowed between all these individuals in different forms. These tight bonds that work and life had forged, and that thin line between friend and colleague could be indistinguishable at times; something he knew that all too well.  

Then there was Emily. Emily was secretly everything to him. He knew that his friendship meant something to her too, that much he was sure of. If it hadn’t, they would have never been able to stay as close as they had over the years. The Force had pulled them in different directions as Padawan’s and forced them to follow different paths as Jedi. Yet, it always seemed to pull them back together again when they least expected it.

He stood in the corner of the room, on the steps that transitioned from the open air balcony into the sitting room of the apartment. Sighing and wanting to get away from the noise, he turned to step fully out onto the terrace.

The twilight air was warm on his face. This evening was going to be a beautiful one, he could already tell. The planet was experiencing a wonderful stretch of weather recently.

“At least we are here in the city to enjoy it and not stuck on some remote world with terrible weather.”  Flashbacks of Comino went running through his mind as he watched the speeders zoom into the sunset. Yes, he was grateful to be here indeed.

He was so lost in the view and the glow of the setting sun and the way it reflected off of the city that he didn’t feel or hear her approaching.

“A credit for your thoughts Master Jedi?” Emily said to him as she came to stand next to him.

“Oh they are worth far less than that.” He turned to her and chuckled, swirling his punch in his glass.

When he turned to face her, the sight before him made him feel like the entire planet had stopped rotating.

The way the setting sunlight hit her eyes made his knees go weak. It turned her eyes to the warmest brown he had ever seen, like a liquid chestnut. She looked stunning.

Emily had managed to enchant everyone in the room that evening. Senators were drawn to her by her calming Force presence. Positive, feminie, and confident. Little did the senators know that she had that effect on everyone, it was part of what made her who she was. Her signature and everything that she was could be intoxicating to Obi-Wan if he allowed it to; like the most potent perfume or the strongest drink. Anakin had been right. Emily had helped Padme tremendously and she had even managed to get Bail Organa’s attention about her medical concerns for healers in the field. With all of their efforts this evening, these initiatives were bound to pass through the senate; he was certain of it.

“Well they are worth far more than that to me.” She chided him, taking him back to the present moment. She nudged his shoulder gently with her elbow.

“He is always so hard on himself.” She noticed. She wished he would see himself as she saw him. In her mind, he was brilliant. He was a deadicated, skillful, and balanced Jedi. The way he looked after Ashoka and Anakin, the responsibilities he took for them as their mentor were both admirable and commendable; it showed where his values were. And last but not least he was a good person. He was loyal, gentle and very kind; but yet, he wasn’t a pushover. He could stand his ground if he needed to.

To her, he was the perfect Jedi, the kind of Jedi all Jedi should strive to be; and a perfect man as well.

“Ah, well you would be the first to say that” He smiled. “….How is the party? Are you enjoying yourself or do you regret coming?”

“No, I am having a great time! It is nice to get out of the Temple and do something that doesn’t involve swinging a lightsaber or Force healing someone. Plus, this is for a good cause, the incentive is important…. How about you, are you having a good time?’ She questioned him with a friendly smile.

“I can’t complain. The food is certainly better than anything we would have eaten in the mess hall.” They both laughed because it was certainly true.    

“I could do without all the senators in the room but that is the nature of the evening. It is wonderful to have all of my friends here with me though. And then there is you, whenever you're around anything is fantastic.”

He said it before his brain could catch up with his mouth. He started to panic. Ugh, he and his stupid, run away mouth. He had just verbally separated her into a category that was not friend nor senator. He had called her existence “fantastic.” He knew she had heard him, because her facial expression was speaking volumes.

She looked shocked….embarrassed even.

“Ugh great job Kenobi. You really stuck your foot in it this time.”

“I'm sorry I didn’t mean to make you feel awkward.” Obi-Wan stammerd, trying to back track his words and get a hold of himself.

Now, it was her turn to become a stuttering mess.

“Oh no, no you didn’t. I just didn’t know that you thought of me….my presence that way. For what it is worth, having you around is pretty wonderful too.”

She couldn’t see it in the setting sunlight but he was blushing at her words. He chose to lighten the mood before he said something else that he shouldn’t or would regret.  

“So, is that why you used to seek me out when we were younger and force me sit next to you during lessons? Because I have a wonderful presence? I always thought it was to copy my superb work?” He teased with one eyebrow raised.

She almost spit her drink out at the outrageous claim, as her eyebrows rose to her hairline. She gracefully regained her composure but her eyes were the size of the setting sun when she turned to look at him, an unmistakeable  excitement in them.

“Oh how dare you! I copied off of you?!? You were the biggest class clown! Isn’t that why Master Yoda used to yell at you all the time?! He would tell me to sit next to you and show you how things were done properly and so you wouldn’t get into trouble! And, if I remember correctly you followed me everywhere, you used to seek ME out.” Emily reminded him.

“Nope, no. I don’t recall that being the case. I specifically remember you being the problem student. I believe they said you were too “talkative and giggly.” That's why they put you next to me, because I was a absolutely perfect student, the poster boy for the Jedi.” His voice was sarcastic and full of humor. He gave her one of his classic sarcastic, all knowing smiles and a raised eyebrow.

She had missed this side of him. It was like when they were teenagers again  and they didn't have a care in the world. Just like when they were younger,  they would find some hidden corner of The Temple to hide in and spend hours talking to one another.

“Oh yes, you, the poster boy. The rebellious yongling who tried to Force Jump over half the Arena in a sparring match and failed epically. The student who didn’t listen to any instruction that was given to him that he didn't like or agree with. Yes, I completely forgot, that’s why I was put next to you, to pick up on your antics.” She bellowed with excitement.

He winced, rubbing his back. “I can still remember that landing. I realized halfway through the jump, as I was falling through the air what bad idea it was. What was worse was when I figured out I was not going to make the landing. I hit the ground; hard and oh it was painful.” He laughed at himself remembering his stupidity.

“You were showing off and you knew it. You're lucky you only sprained your ankle.” She challenged.

Their mutual laughter felt good. It made his soul feel light as a feather, a great contrast to some of the recent emotions the war had caused him to feel.

“Ah yes, thank the Maker. But that’s not why I considered it a failure, it’s who I was showing off for! I’m not dim enough to Force Jump half of an arena for no reason.  And how I failed miserably right in front of them. That’s the real reason why that Force Jump was such a disaster.``

Emily’s infectious laugh had caused him to not realize how much he was rambling and the personal information he was spilling.

He had done it again. He was so relaxed and excited to be around her that kept saying everything that he shouldn't be.

“Is this thing spiked?!?”  He wondered, swirling the contents of his cup around.

“Oh and who was that mysterious person?” She asked, with a curious and slightly mischievous smile.

“She really has no idea.” Obi-Wan he silently realized as he tried not to look at her. Instead, he opted for focusing on the speeders that were zooming by Padme’s balcony.

This was a dangerous path that lie ahead of him. The scarier part was he was seriously contemplating taking it. But hadn’t he always argued with Anakin whenever he did something like this?

Maybe it was being away from the strictness of the Temple or that they were at a party, but he was about to potentially get himself into a world of trouble. Sometimes he marveled at how she never suspected that all his antics were for her, to get her attention. Not surprisingly none of them had ever worked on her, she wasn’t that kind of girl; she wasn’t interested in a show off. Once he learned that she liked him for who he was, their relationship had become stronger, and one where he could be himself.

But not share his true feelings with her.  

But he couldn’t take her down that path, it would only lead to further action that they simply could not engage in.

No, he would never forgive himself for doing that to their friendship; to her. If he reuiend things between them because she didn’t feel the same way or jeporidized their lives as Jedi if the Council found out. Or even still, what if she was unwilling to sacrifice her Jedi ideals for him and she judged him?

Sighing, he resigned himself to his original thoughts, he couldn’t go there.

He stiffened and cleared his throat. The action changing the tone of the conversation immediately.

“Oh, I actually can’t remember now, it’s been so long. Doesn’t matter, It was probably no one important.”  He shrugged his shoulders in an apathetic gesture hoping that she would buy it.

“That’s a lie.” Emily told herself.

She knew it was a lie the moment he spoke it. Everything about him betrayed the words he spoke. The way his voice sounded, his body language, and the way the Force carried the words over to her.

“Why would he lie to me? He has never lied to me. I know him so well and have for so long, does he not trust me with the truth?”  

The possibility that he didn’t trust her with something made her feel melancholy. She decided not to press him here and now.

Before either one of them could say anything to one another, Ashoka interrupted them.

“Hey you two. What are you doing out here? Come back in and join the party. Padme would like us to do some more campaigning for her.” Ashoka said, nodding her head back towards the apartment.

“Of course.” Emily mumbled.

“Absolutely.” Obi-Wan murmerd.

Ashoka walked back down the steps and into the apartment, completely unaware of what had just transpired between the other two Jedi.

“Yes, well, we should get back to the party.” He waved his arm out in front him. “After you my dear.”

Emily smiled softly and nodded her head slightly. His lie was still bothering her, weighing on her mind. She took his offer to take the lead and walked back down into the apartment; shrugging off her emotions and mingling with others. It was as if she put a mask on. Her expressions swiftly and gracefully changing from one emotion to the other.

Obi-Wan knew he had messed up. He was so angry with himself in that moment. He had allowed himself to get distracted and flirty like a child or a silly youngling.

He just had to keep flirting and teasing her didn’t he? He had to keep pushing it.

Maybe Anakin was rubbing off on him instead of the other way around? He had been right, he couldn't spend too much time around her, becuase he clearly couldn’t handle it. He failed to act like a mature, responsible, adult, like the Jedi he was and needed to be. He hoped that she would forget about this moment, but he knew somehow it wouldn’t be that easy.

He remembered Jedi tradition and his training, and swallowed every emotion he was feeling as he followed her down the steps and back into the sitting room.

They had a job to do. The mission always came first, and the mission right now was schmoozing these politicians so that Padme’s bill got passed.

@mrskenobi19​ @transcending-time​ @kirstenvldfan21​ @ocfairygodmother​ @the-clones-and-me​ @janebby​ @sillynilly27​ @thewhitedannimal​