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We need to talk. When can we meet?

General Kenobi.

[Her first assumption is that this must be about Jaina somehow--though she's not sure what exactly would prompt the need to talk in person.]

Why don't we meet on the Starlight? The datary should be quiet enough.

Thank you.

[ And he arrives promptly. He's wearing his new cloak and he gazes out the window, lost in thought. ]

[He beats her there, but not by much. Leia comes up beside him, looking for a moment out at the dark space beyond them before fixing her gaze on his face.]

It's good to see you.

[Whatever's brought them here seems grim, to judge by his expression, but he'll bring it up in his own time.]

[ He smiles at her, genuine feeling infused in the Force. She's important to him, not solely for the link to Skywalker, but here was someone who seeks to better the galaxy. It's in her bones to fight and protect.

It's a Jedi thing. ]

How are you, Leia?

Fine, thank you. [But that's the polite answer, not the truthful one.] A little...surprised by some of our newer arrivals. But I'll manage.

[She always does.]

What about you?

[ He doesn't reply, finally turning to meet her gaze. ]

Darth Vader.

[ Softer, like he wants to be wrong. ]

He's Anakin, isn't he?

[It's not a question she's expecting, and the surprise shows on her face. So, she fears, does the truth.]

What makes you think so?

[She hadn't realized he'd come so close to understanding the future before him.]

There were a lot of things that did not add up. Han's dislike of Anakin was far more than what I would expect a distant parent to receive - or a dead one. Padme mentioned that you two don't get along, for another.

[ Kanan's report on Darth Vader was a strong argument. But what really convinced Obi-Wan was Anakin's own words. He will use me.

Sith only have one way of using people. Breaking them and turning them into something unrecognizable. ]

In a way, I suppose I've known for a while.

[She presses her lips together. Obi-Wan doesn't actually need her confirmation. He knows, and he has her confirmation in the fact that she didn't immediately scoff at the idea.]

He was Darth Vader when Han and I knew him. But he isn't yet.

[It's the best she can offer in the way of comfort--a hard-won statement, delivered in a low voice. Even after speaking with Anakin and Padme, after arguing with Han, Leia isn't entirely sure what to do with that fact.]

[ He wants to snap, I know that, but he finds himself quiet. There's little point in anger these days. He reins himself in carefully. ]

I know. . . . He's determined to do something about Palpatine.

[ Obi-Wan doesn't know what Anakin has heard. He already knows, to some degree, that Anakin being anywhere near Palpatine is a bad idea, but he's made his decision. ]

[It's for the best that he doesn't snap at her; Anakin is a sensitive subject, and even for General Kenobi, she might not have been able to resist snapping back.]

What kind of something?

[As much as she'd still like to change the future, she hasn't forgotten Han's reservations about it.]

Subverting Palpatine's plan to use him. To pretend he's on his side.

[ His voice is still low, still incredibly controlled. Nothing is slipping past. ]

It could work. The potential is there.

A sort of double agent.

[Having done that sort of work--in, admittedly, a very different context--she knows Obi-Wan is right. But the thought of Anakin taking on the mantle of Darth Vader sends a shiver through her.

She'd envisioned him rejecting the Sith entirely, not...this.]

The potential to fall is, too.

If anyone can manage it, Anakin can.

[ Even with future knowledge, Obi-Wan's faith remains steady. In this, he will not yield. ]

The potential to fall is in all of us.

Maybe, but Anakin--

[She pauses. Insulting her father's ability to hew to the light side of the Force is unlikely to win her favors with General Kenobi.]

For all we know, he's had this plan before.

Do you think he has? Because none of us ever suspected Palpatine - ever.

[ Obi-Wan doubts Anakin had much time for anything once he fell to the Dark - much less plot to destroy Palpatine. The man had an insidious hold on Anakin, one Obi-Wan allowed to happen. ]

I don't know.

[And there's the rub. She doesn't doubt General Kenobi when he says Palpatine was well-camouflaged, but the thought of Anakin walking straight into the gundark's den sends a prickle along the back of her neck.]

But when we met, he served the emperor without question. I hope you'll forgive me if I'm not convinced the ending would change.

[There's a sharp note of bitterness in her voice. If this is Anakin's method for changing the future, she might have to take Han's side of things after all--it only looks as though it could make things worse.]

[ Ah. Obi-Wan didn't think Han had let it slip that Anakin had done something terrible. He felt a pang in his heart, brief and cold. He had encouraged Anakin to spend time with his family, to figure out his future. Perhaps not his best decision.

He searches his feelings. Disappointment. Pity. Sadness. He lets them slide off him like water. They had no more place with him.

He's got confirmation. That's all he wanted. ]

I do not think it's my forgiveness you'll need. Thank you for your time.

[ He bows lowly, preparing to leave. ]

May the Force be with you.

[The temptation to gape at him is a strong one, but princesses don't let their mouths drop open when talking to generals. Leia draws herself up until her poise is ramrod straight, her jaw tightening.

Is that all you have to say to me? she wants to snap, but the thought that it might drive Obi-Wan away holds her back. She's enjoyed the time they've spent together in the past; she doesn't want to burn her bridges.

Quarreling with Han is one thing. She knows his limits, knows what the outcomes will be. Obi-Wan is something else entirely, too unknown a quantity to risk it.

And so there's a tense pause while she searches for the answer she wants. When it comes, it's delivered coolly. In a way, it feels like the floor of the Imperial Senate to her, redolent arguments that came to nothing and demands for change that were never met.]

I hope you know what you're doing, General.

[That's enough for one day. She turns to go.]

[ Quietly, as he leaves. ]

My hope isn't meant for myself.

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[ voice, feb 11th, 2016 ]

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