𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | anakin skywalker

✰ bonus: the duchess of mandalore

"Where have you been?" Akya asked her master, as he joined her for their scheduled time in the training room on Coruscant, about fifteen minutes late.  He'd been rather distracted recently, and Akya knew exactly why— the Duchess of Mandalore.  Her planet was under attack by Death Watch, and she was here on Coruscant trying to keep the Republic from intervening in Mandalorian affairs and sending troops to occupy her planet.

"Sorry I'm late," he said. 

"Is it Satine?" she said, raising her brows. 

Obi-Wan sighed.  "You know everything now, do you, young Padawan?"

"Sorry," she said.  "I feel you, is all.  Your disappointment is quite discouraging."  She retracted her lightsaber blade.  "What's wrong?"

"Her time here is not going well," he said.  "Much of the Senate is having a hard time believing that she can handle the Death Watch on her own.  No matter what they do, sending in the Republic army will just make things worse.  Death Watch will be the hero, not the oppressor."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said.  "Perhaps we can postpone training for today, if you need some time."

"I'll be alright," said Obi-Wan.  He took his lightsaber off his belt.  They began doing their forms, encircling the shape on the floor made for such exercises.  The master and the Padawan mirrored each other, warming up as they had done many times before. 

"You really did love her," Akya pointed out.

"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "Did."

"And do you still?"

"Akya," he scolded. 

"Sorry," she said. "I'm nosy."

"I don't know," said Obi-Wan.  "I couldn't tell you if I did, though, could I?"

"I suppose not," said Akya.  "That would not be the Jedi way."

— ★ ✰ ☆ —

Obi-Wan later left in a rush after receiving news that Satine's transport had been attacked, and that she was currently at the Senate building meeting with the chancellor about the situation.  Akya had offered to come with him, but he denied her, saying that he needed to speak with her alone, as he often did.  Unfortunately, this left Akya without anything to do for the rest of the evening, so she went to the mess hall, where she found Anakin looking down at his food with an unpleasant look on his face.

"That looks good," lied Akya, sitting down in front of him.

Anakin chuckled.  "Yeah," he said, looking down at the square, beige rations and drink on his tray.  "Five star meal."

"Welcome to the Temple," said Akya.

"Aren't you supposed to be training right now?" said Anakin, taking a bite of his dinner.  "Where's Obi-Wan?"

"Obi-Wan left," she said.  "Satine's been in an accident."

"What? What happened?"

"Her transport malfunctioned and crashed," she explained.  "She got out just in time.  Obi-Wan suspects foul play."

"It's only logical.  Her transport just happens to crash when she's trying to advocate peace for her planet?  Sounds like the Death Watch to me."

"Everything's getting out of hand," Akya said.  "The Senate is voting tomorrow to see if Mandalore will be occupied or not."

"For Obi-Wan's sake," Anakin began, taking another bite, "I hope everything goes well.  I don't know what he'll do if things go wrong for the duchess."

Akya sighed, nodding.  Anakin raised one brow, curious.  "You know something," he said, his voice lowering.  "Tell me."

"Fine," she gave in. "But only because I really like you. And not here," she said, leaning in closer. "Let's go somewhere else. There's too many people here."

"Meet me in the gardens," said Anakin, standing. "Here." He pushed his half eaten meal towards her. "Eat something."

"Gee, thanks," she said, taking it. She was hungry.

Should she really be telling Anakin something like this? It's not like Obi-Wan asked her to keep it a secret, but they both knew that it wasn't something that needed spreading to the entirety of the Jedi Order. Of course, Anakin nor Akya would ever do such a thing, considering their own situation. Anakin quite possibly already had his own assumptions, anyway, considering the "girlfriend" comment from just last night.

Akya met him in the garden a few minutes later, after quickly finishing up his dinner for him. It was empty at this time of night, as Jedi often preferred to stroll and meditate in it during the day. Anakin stood from the bench he sat on once he saw her, and they began walking together.

"What is it?" Anakin asked her, continuing their conversation from before.

"You were right," said Akya. Their voices stayed in a whisper, even though there was no one around. It felt wrong to disrupt the quiet. "He was in love with her."

"How do you know?"

"A long time ago, I was asking him some questions, just... because. I asked him if he'd ever been in love, and he said yes. When we were on Mandalore, I asked him if Satine was the woman he told me about. He said yes."

"Really?" said Anakin.

"Really," she said. "I don't know where he is right now, but it's probably with her."

"He wouldn't betray the code," he said. "Don't you remember what he said to us on the Coronet? His duties as a Jedi come first."

"And they do for us, as well, don't they?" Akya said, tilting her head.

"Of course," Anakin said. "But for us it's a little different, is all. He would have to leave the Order if he wanted to be with her."

"He wouldn't do that," Akya agreed. "But he did love her. That's what I wanted to say."

"It's good to have my suspicions confirmed," said Anakin. "Nice to be right for once."

Akya chuckled.

— ★ ✰ ☆ —

The night seemed to be even crazier than the revelation that Obi-Wan had been in love with Satine.  A warrant had been issued for the duchess's arrest on counts of murder, and according to the Jedi Master himself, she had called Obi-Wan for help.  He went down to the lower levels of Coruscant to help her, and they acquired evidence to help change the Senate's decision to occupy Mandalore.

Akya was called to the Senate building to meet Obi-Wan and Anakin in the chancellor's office after the Senate's vote changed.  Senator Amidala and the duchess met them there as well, and the chancellor issued the duchess an apology and discussed the logistics of ratifying the Senate's decision.  It was a long chat, but it ended their day, and finally, Akya and Anakin were able to relax once again.