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Author	Topic: Spirit Warriors of Angharad COMPLETE Link to MS Word version available 8/4
DarthPenguin Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 6/17/04 9:44am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (36/?) 6/16
	Ah, you are fast approaching where you left off the first time and I am eager to see where you are going totake your story. I wonder, for instance, if the fact that Matreya (who apparently detests Court life as much as Obi-Wan does the political arena) and her husband have been childless for so long will become a plot point. I realize that the galaxy can never have enough Kenobis, but... Sounds like a sequel to me. But oooooooooooooooo, you've cut a couple of my favorite passages (the reference to Obi-Wan's flair with a needle and thread and the gundark story). I can see where you might have thought those lines were not in keeping with the solemnity of the conversation about Matreya's comrades being slain. No matter. I really love this story and look forward to more. I have the feeling we haven't seen the last of Anakin's penchant for AWT (Action Without Thought).
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/17/04 10:13am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (36/?) 6/16
	DarthPenguin wrote: I wonder, for instance, if the fact that Matreya (who apparently detests Court life as much as Obi-Wan does the political arena) and her husband have been childless for so long will become a plot point. I realize that the galaxy can never have enough Kenobis, but... Sounds like a sequel to me. LOL! Honestly, I've thought about it, even though that would take us wayyy into AU territory. Anything's possible, however. But oooooooooooooooo, you've cut a couple of my favorite passages (the reference to Obi-Wan's flair with a needle and thread and the gundark story). Whoa! I'm surpised you remembered all that! Maybe I shouldn't have cut it, then . . . as I was reading the chapter over, I was thinking, "None of this has anything to do with anything, why did I even include this stuff?" So I cut it. I may be able to get a stripped-down version of the same story in later, though, since I know at least one person likes it. It's just that as it was written, it didn't seem to justify the two pages or so it took up. I can see where you might have thought those lines were not in keeping with the solemnity of the conversation about Matreya's comrades being slain. There was that, too. I was trying to shoehorn too much into one scene, since I was worried everyone would hate my Obi/Other OC and was somehow trying to make her introduction all things to all people. It makes more sense to let her character develop in a slower and more natural way. No matter. I really love this story and look forward to more. Thank you! And I'm relieved and flattered that you like things about this scene. It still seems a bit creaky and info-dumpy to me, but my mantra has become, "I'll fix it in post!!" I figure I'll give the thing one more overhaul when it's complete and then submit it to TFN's fanfic archive. After that I'll do a happy dance as I bury a stake in the heart of this deathless, time-sucking vampire of a plot bunny. I have the feeling we haven't seen the last of Anakin's penchant for AWT (Action Without Thought). Not really, no . . . although he tries harder to be smart about the things he does. He wants to be a good boy, really. -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/17/04 10:25am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (37/?) 6/17
	"At any rate," Obi-Wan sighed as he turned back to her, "There's nothing we can do about it now. What's done is done. My lady, if you're able to travel tomorrow, I suggest you go to Wemilat with the evacuating villagers. Nidawi isn't a safe place for you. As for this . . ." he picked up the holocube and held it cupped in the palm of his hand. "Evidence of murder would indeed get a swift response from the Senate." He looked upward, clearly imagining the offending blockade ships as they hung in orbit around the planet. "If only we could get it to them." Anakin looked up suddenly and said, "I could get it offworld." It was the last thing Matreya was expecting him to say, and for an instant she wondered if they boy was joking or delusional. One teenage Padawan against all of Perahta’s forces? The idea defied belief, but Obi-Wan's look was stern rather than disbelieving. "You know I could," Anakin near-pleaded. "I could make it past the patrols, and once I'm in a ship I can out-pilot anybody." "It's not a good idea, Padawan," Obi-Wan said. A bad idea-—but perhaps not impossible? Once again, Matreya had the maddening sense she was only hearing half of the conversation. "Is it true, Master Jedi? Could he do it?" she asked. Now Obi-Wan was giving her a stern look. "With all due respect, my lady, there are issues you're unaware of," he said. "But Master--" Anakin protested. "I don't want to hear any more about it," Obi-Wan said firmly. His voice remained as calm as ever, but Matreya recognized the look he was giving his student from her own days of living under the authority of her governess and protocol master. Although she was still heartened by the idea that Anakin could do as he said, she found herself sincerely hoping that the boy would stop arguing. After a long moment, Anakin looked down at the floor and muttered, "Yes, Master." A terribly awkward silence followed. Matreya didn’t think she’d ever seen a Padawan learner challenge his Master before, and she wasn’t sure how Obi-Wan would react. She’d just started to like Obi-Wan-—in fact, she needed to like him, since he was quite possibly her only hope of survival—-and she anxiously hoped he would respond with more composure and kindness than her protocol master had. In the end, Obi-Wan scarcely seemed to react at all. He gave his student a long, steady look, and then turned back to Matreya and continued their earlier conversation. "My Lady, do you trust me with this?" he asked, holding out the holocube in the palm of his hand. She glanced at Anakin, who seemed unhappy and ashamed, but not frightened. She would have been in a tearful panic if she’d ever dared question her governess in public, knowing the woman would skin her alive when they were alone. However, Anakin didn’t look like a boy who was going to be whipped. As far as she could tell, Obi-Wan expected to be listened to, but he didn’t back up his authority with harshness. "Yes, Master Jedi," she said at last. “I trust you.” In truth, she was a little surprised he’d even asked. The Jedi of Matreya’s acquaintance had generally considered the public’s trust to be their right. "Then I suggest you allow me to hold onto it for safekeeping. If worst comes to worst and you are captured, it's far better they don't find this on you," Obi-Wan said. “Of course, Master Jedi. Thank you,” Matreya said. Possession of that holocube was akin to carrying one's own death warrant, but if anyone could get it to the Republic’s authorities, a Jedi could. "I promise you, we'll do everything we can to keep you safe, and to get your evidence to the Senate and the Jedi Council," Obi-Wan said. "Thank you," Matreya said again, looking first at one Jedi and then the other. “I’m most grateful.” In truth, gratitude didn’t even begin to cover what she was feeling. It didn’t matter that she’d found the Jedi rather than the other way around. They were her rescuers, and they had agreed to take her terrible burden from her. That was enough. As her tension began to ease, however, exhaustion soon moved in to take its place. Matreya began to toy with the idea of sitting on the floor with the Jedi, since there would be a shorter distance to fall if she should just pass out. **** End 37/? -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/18/04 10:45am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (38/?) 6/18
	Obi-Wan seemed to sense her exhaustion. "You've been through quite an ordeal," he said. "We don't want to tire you." "Not at all," she said. "I only hope I'm not keeping you from your duties." That was a polite euphemism for “I need to be alone so I can sleep,” and Obi-Wan picked up on it instantly. He got to his feet, and Anakin quickly did the same. Matreya prepared to get up as well, but Obi-Wan stopped her with a gesture. "My lady, please, it's not necessary," he said. For an instant, the mischievous smile he'd struggled to quell a few moments ago made an appearance. "I think we can find our own way out," he said. She wondered if he knew it was Kirillosan custom for a hostess to see her guests to the door. She couldn’t help smiling back as she said, “Of course, Master Jedi.” Even she had to admit that this particular custom was ridiculous in the current situation. //And this isn’t even your house, you idiot,// she reminded herself. "In the morning, then," she said, looking forward to speaking with them when she was able to stay conscious. “In the morning,” Obi-Wan said. “May the Force be with you, my lady.” The Jedi bowed in farewell, then put their hoods up in preparation for walking out into the dripping afternoon. Anakin trailed his Master slightly as they went out, still looking slightly dejected, she thought. Once the door was shut again, Matreya slumped back in her chair. She couldn't remember ever being so weary. "Distress, Tech II," Mouse reminded her, speaking up now that the Jedi were gone. "I know," she said. "I'm going to bed as soon as I can make myself get up." "Distress," Mouse repeated. Matreya suspected that was his way of telling her she was starting to sound like a blithering idiot. "So what did you think of them?" she asked, looking down at the end of Mouse's nose, which he'd just poked out from the side of her chair. "Think of them?" Mouse asked, perhaps to buy time for his miserably slow speech processor to dredge up the right words. For the several-thousandth time, Matreya promised herself that if she were ever in control of her own money, she'd donate enough to upgrade the vocorders on Freespace's med tech units. Finally, Mouse came up with, "J-Jedi. Peace and justice." "So it's 'Jedi, right or wrong' with you?" she teased him. " . . . wrong with you?" Mouse asked in apparent incomprehension. He was a technical unit after all. No one had ever programmed him to debate about religion and politics. "Never mind," Matreya said. Gazing out the window in the direction the Jedi had gone, she said, "I must admit, they're not what I expected." Glancing down at Mouse she added, "That's probably a good thing." She’d found most Jedi to be cool and somewhat intimidating. Yet Anakin was clearly a passionate soul, and Obi-Wan had a curious gentleness underlying the steely self-confidence common to Jedi. It wasn't lost on her that he'd reached out to reassure Anakin when the youth appeared to take a reprimand too much to heart. Nor had she forgotten that Obi-Wan had apologized to her and asked for her trust. Mouse interrupted her thoughts by extending his sensor arm toward her again. His padded grippers opened and closed rhythmically, and she took the hint. "All right, all right, I'm going," she said. As she pushed herself to her feet, she said, "I suppose we'll have quite a story to tell later. Well--if we survive, that is." "If we survive, that is," the little droid repeated. He trundled along behind her as she walked to the ladder that led up to the loft. Matreya wished Mouse had found some other phrase to mimic, but he had a point, whether or not he'd intended it. She'd seen the tremendous amount of military power Perahta was amassing in the desert. If someone didn't get help from the Republic soon, the chances of any non-Coridani surviving the next few weeks on Angharad were very poor indeed. **** End 38/? -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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solojones Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 6/18/04 7:45pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (38/?) 6/18
	Hobbies can be dangerous, man. There's no whistle that blows when it's time to quit. I hear you on that one. I think I have become the definition of being too intense about hobbies, but hey, that’s why they’re called passions It’s not like I can get that interested or excited in school I was hoping more for "The problems of three people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." Obi-Wan's a Jedi and a gentleman, after all. He always gives a damn. I’ve just been making so many comparisons between SW and Casablanca lately that I thought I’d try a new one. I mean, Rhett is quite handsome and charming, right? But you know, he has more of that roguish Han-ness about him. Rick has that more dry, heroic, Obi-Wan thing going for him. So we’re going to end this story with Matreya getting on a spacecraft with some other guy, and Anakin and Obi-Wan walking off into the mist as Obi-Wan says, “I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship” ? Perfect! Man, I love Casablanca. The skrikes and I will take Obi-Wan. Can I be a skrike? Right--and that's when Boromir the Unconscious Gondorian comes in with Gollum, who's still dressed as a magic sitar . . . ::Brain starts melting, gropes around on desk for medication:: I know how you feel. Trust me. All the time Actually, Anakin Skywalker's more of the McGuffin in this case, but yeah, you do need stuff that characters want, or they go on strike and refuse to work. (Stupid characters.) Are you suggesting that Anakin’s not really important? Well, when you realise that he is around Obi-Wan all the time, it kind of starts to seem that way… Chosen what follows Obi around like a good skrike But sj . . . you're hilarious. Well, thank you. I’m glad someone thinks so. Otherwise, that Obi-Wan/Anakin humour story I’m working on right now wouldn’t get any audience at all I said nothing. (Not that they don't sometimes: ". . . a particularly shiny floor tile . . .") That was just irresistible. The thing is, I just have to let my characters be themselves and do whatever in the situations I give them. Honestly, sometimes I’ll be writing and I’ll think “how did this story end up here?” but it always seems to make sense. Sometimes, people just pop into scenes unbidden. Anyway, I had a point…what was it? Ah, yes! (too many Cokes at lunch hurts the brain) Right now in my story I’ve only been writing TPM and post-TPM, and no one’s in a very light-hearted mood most of the time, as you might imagine. It’s definitely something I’m trying to work into places where it’s appropriate. I don’t know, usually I just have to let Obi-Wan crack his own jokes Worse than that--she's in a Star Wars fanfic story. Can you imagine Fanfic!Obi-Wan trying to buy insurance? "How many illnesses and injuries have I had? Ummm . . . about 300 a day, not counting mental breakdowns and things . . ." So hilariously true. I’m happy to say that (besides the head-kicking from TPM for DotF), the only injury Obi-Wan has received so far in my story is a burnt hand due to mechanical ineptitude…which isn’t to say it won’t get worse, but as I said, I’m mostly just following whatever GL does to him, and when you have someone who’s willing to put a character on a desert planet for 20 years, I get the feeling he’s not going to be too kind to him when it comes to Episode III. ---- //I can’t do that,// she told herself, //he’ll think I find him offensive.// I loved this bit. It shows a lot about her character, I think. She clearly is very polite and well-mannered, unable to drop that even under the circumstances she’s in. Reminds me of someone else we all know and love Obi-Wan tugged a neatly-folded handkerchief from out of his belt pouch and held it out to her. Aw, he has a hankie? folds hands gingerly over heart This is a 40s romance. Hooray! Oh, and speaking of romances, this is an odd tangent… but you have to read the latest chapter of SotC I’ve posted. There’s something in there just for you (how’s that for a way to bribe readers? I am the master!) "I thought I was dead myself once. It turned out I was only a guest at Prince Ezdred's dinner party . . . imagine my disappointment." …and yet also able to keep a sense of humour about her in the situation. Not to mention, able to show her dislike for big formal events, which are ick. I have to say I am very much liking Matreya thusfar, Ophelia. Obi-Wan smoothed down his beard, apparently as cover while he worked to extinguish the beginnings of a smile. Extinguish, nice wording. As though it’s something dangerous like a fire that must be put out at once. Obi-Wan, if only you knew. Obi-Wan's expression softened once the youth wasn't looking, and he unobtrusively brushed Anakin's shoulder with the backs of his fingers. Matreya was almost certain they were having a conversation she couldn't hear, but she politely pretended not to notice. I really loved this bit because, not only were you to add a very realistic and touching little ‘Jedi moment’ between the boys, but you also showed how this can effect others around them. I think it’s setting up and interesting dynamic between Matreya and the Jedi. LOL! Honestly, I've thought about it, even though that would take us wayyy into AU territory. Anything's possible, however. Now, Ophelia, according to my information, Obi-Wan has many children and numerous wives throughout the galaxy. And I mean, come on, would FanFiccers lie to me? I think I’ve proved my point my mantra has become, "I'll fix it in post!!" Don’t give in to the Dark Side Oh, the whole pivoting of Anakin and Matreya against Obi-Wan a little was great. Clearly, he’s in no mood to trust Anakin right now, especially not with such a dangerous and important mission as getting the cube offworld. As far as she could tell, Obi-Wan expected to be listened to, but he didn’t back up his authority with harshness. I wonder how she is going to start to view Obi-Wan in relation to all the other well-mannered and strict men she’s known? Clearly, there’s a softer (and wittier ) side to Obi-Wan that dry socialites lack. It should be interesting to see if/how she’s able to bring that out in him and how her perception of Jedi might change. But still, as always, there are those ingrained Jedi feelings (or …not feelings ) in Obi-Wan that promise to make things complicated if done right. And I have a feeling you know how to do things right, so I’m looking very much forward to this plotline in addition to all the others If someone didn't get help from the Republic soon, the chances of any non-Coridani surviving the next few weeks on Angharad were very poor indeed. See, you do a beautiful job of melding all these plotlines together instead of just forgetting about any one of them. I love that about this story. Thus far you’ve worked Anakin’s difficulties into it while still having the war situation important, not just a backdrop. And now, Obi-Wan’s about to start having some ‘difficulties’ of his own in addition, eh? sigh Casablanca indeed Ok, when my replies to this story are 1,200+ words (although, very few), and some of my posts probably haven't even been that long...you know you're the Woman -sj loves kevin spacey -----signature----- 6 x 9 = 42 Proud member of the Colbert Nation My short films: http://www.youtube.com/solojones1138
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/18/04 11:51pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (38/?) 6/18
	I think I have become the definition of being too intense about hobbies, but hey, that’s why they’re called passions You do have a point . . . but both my writing and I seem healthier when my fanfic and I remain "just friends." When it spirals into passion this love-hate thing starts, and I get murderous Fatal Attraction stalker plot bunnies like THIS NIGHTMARE OF A THING YOU'RE READING RIGHT NOW . . . sorry. Sorry. I shall be sane now. I promise. So we’re going to end this story with Matreya getting on a spacecraft with some other guy, and Anakin and Obi-Wan walking off into the mist as Obi-Wan says, “I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship” ? Sort of, only . . . not. (I can't tell the ending now . . . that would suck!) Man, I love Casablanca. Me too . . . and "The African Queen," "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," "The Maltese Falcon" . . . all of it's great stuff. Otherwise, that Obi-Wan/Anakin humour story I’m working on right now wouldn’t get any audience at all I said nothing. I shall have to check this out . . . after you've said something, of course. I don’t know, usually I just have to let Obi-Wan crack his own jokes Yes, characters do sometimes get a mind or their own. You're right that it's best to wait until Obi-Wan feels like saying something funny . . . forcing it on him would sound odd. I loved this bit. It shows a lot about her character, I think. She clearly is very polite and well-mannered, unable to drop that even under the circumstances she’s in. She's very slightly out of her mind, poor pet. Reminds me of someone else we all know and love Ditto. Aw, he has a hankie? In an earlier draft I implied that he'd sewn it, too. He doesn't like to call it "sewing," though. He prefers to call it "combat tailoring." (Saving the galaxy is hell on your clothes, and who's gonna fix 'em? Your mom?) Oh, and speaking of romances, this is an odd tangent… but you have to read the latest chapter of SotC I’ve posted. There’s something in there just for you (how’s that for a way to bribe readers? I am the master!) Squeaks with glee I shall check it out forthwith, madam. I have to say I am very much liking Matreya thusfar, Ophelia. Oh, good . . . I can relax some, then. I really don't know why I get so uptight over fanfic . . . it's not very healthy, really. Extinguish, nice wording. As though it’s something dangerous like a fire that must be put out at once. Obi-Wan, if only you knew. Quite so! Watch where you aim that thing, buddy. Someone could get hurt. Now, Ophelia, according to my information, Obi-Wan has many children and numerous wives throughout the galaxy. And I mean, come on, would FanFiccers lie to me? I think I’ve proved my point Oh, that's right . . . the "loose canon." However could I have forgotten that? my mantra has become, "I'll fix it in post!!" Don’t give in to the Dark Side I can't help it . . . last time, this story made me so neurotic that I had to quit. It's a dad-blasted white whale of a thing, it is. I wonder how she is going to start to view Obi-Wan in relation to all the other well-mannered and strict men she’s known? I'm about to find out, since I'm just about to reach that point in what I'm writing. Vengeance is harassing Anakin at the moment, and I need to get that out of the way first, though. See, you do a beautiful job of melding all these plotlines together instead of just forgetting about any one of them. I do actually have a detailed plot outline written up, so I won't forget bits . . . I had to try and convince people of that last time I posted this, since I'm opening a lot of plot elements that look disparate, and some folks were skeptical that I could close them all again. Aanix_Durray has seen the whole outline . . . convenient that she's left the boards and can't contradict me. Once again, thank you so much for your comments, solojones. They do an old crazy lady good. -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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solojones Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 6/19/04 11:37am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (38/?) 6/18
	In an earlier draft I implied that he'd sewn it, too. He doesn't like to call it "sewing," though. He prefers to call it "combat tailoring." (Saving the galaxy is hell on your clothes, and who's gonna fix 'em? Your mom?) And when your mom dropped you off as a young child in a Temple full of strange people with shiny weapons, can you really trust her? "Combat tailoring" though... wow. That is so Obi-Wan Please don't let yourself get stressed out over the story. You're doing an awesome job and I have complete faith in your writing abilities. I'm just pleased to be able to enjoy the ride. You help keep a young lady sane as well (all right, not entirely sane, but still). This always gives me something to look forward to and know I'm going to enjoy, along with your own great commentary About that humour fic I may have mentioned, I'll be sure to let you know when it's posted, but I'm trying to finish it first. It's so theraputically fun to write -sj loves kevin spacey -----signature----- 6 x 9 = 42 Proud member of the Colbert Nation My short films: http://www.youtube.com/solojones1138
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/19/04 3:35pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (39/?) 6/19
	solojones wrote: And when your mom dropped you off as a young child in a Temple full of strange people with shiny weapons, can you really trust her? Excellent point. About that humour fic I may have mentioned, I'll be sure to let you know when it's posted, but I'm trying to finish it first. It's so theraputically fun to write Cool! Please do. And yes, side projects can help you stay out of the loony bin when you have some huge fic in the works that won't die. Thank you for telling me not to stress out about the story. Sometimes I get very myopically focused on doing things "right," which could never possibly explain my personal identification with a certain Jedi Knight whose initials are "Obi-Wan." ::Waves hand:: You don't need to see my identification . . . . . . anyway. And now, a Sith Lord. **** Vengeance hung from the branch of a xhotha tree just beyond the outskirts of Nidawi. He'd wrapped his cloak around himself and plunged his hand-claws into the branch's wood. The claws of his bare feet were sunk deeply into the trunk. This was the way most of his species slept throughout the day: slung belly-side up beneath the branches of Illoria's forest, like so many massive insect cases. Vengeance, however, had gotten no sleep that day. He'd crept along behind the Bedegraine woman as she'd made her way to the village. He had watched her intently, but neither helped nor hindered her. At the moment, he had no orders regarding her at all--a situation he thought he might be able to turn to his advantage. Sidious wanted the Republic to waste its resources fighting this petty little outworld battle. Sarpedon and the Coridani Mineral Company were useful, but it was all the same to the Dark Lord whether they prevailed or not. Perhaps it would be best if Lady Bedegraine's little holo recording were presented to the Senate after all, so the Republic could send in its ion-cannon-toting "peacekeepers" as soon as possible. In fact, the effect might be heightened further if m'lady were tragically dead at the time, along with her brave Jedi protectors. Such a carefully engineered tragedy could be very useful for the Sith. For that matter, Vengeance might be spared punishment if the terrible event that claimed Kenobi and Lady Bedegraine's lives drew in young Anakin in as well. After all, it was well-known that the boy was impetuous and willing to follow his Master to the death. Now that he thought about it, Vengeance knew just the place to spring the trap. He had the skeleton of a plan, and he began debating its merits with himself, as was his custom. Kenobi would certainly order his student to safety at once. What if Skywalker suddenly became sensible and refused to throw his life away? That would be unfortunate. And yet, the Jedi brat's discovery of good judgement might fade quickly if he found himself alone without his teacher . . . in fact, without any contact with the Jedi Order at all. Poor little Anakin . . . wandering lost through the trackless mountains, with only his lightsaber and his instincts to guide him. With Kenobi dead or presumed dead, Skywalker would self-destruct like a breached reactor core, Vengeance thought. The mental image made the Sith's thin blue lips part in a rare smile, revealing his fangs. Soon Sidious would see how foolish it was to take an interest a Jedi at all, much less one so weak--so pathetically driven by "love" and "need." The idea began to soothe his wounded pride over his failed attempts on Skywalker's life the day before--attempts largely thwarted by Kenobi's meddling. It was not lost on the Illorian that Kenobi was a Sith-killer. He'd destroyed Vengeance's predecessor while still a Padawan learner, after all. Clearly, the Jedi knew what he was about. Yet Kenobi was not all-powerful. He had his weaknesses: his overconfidence; his blind attachment to a liability like Skywalker; his baseless loyalty to the spiritually-deadened Jedi Order. Once again, pitiful, strength-sapping love was the downfall of a man who might have been nearly invincible. Oh . . . but the Jedi had taken care of Kenobi when he was little. They'd taught him and shown him how to live his faith. Vengeance had been following Kenobi around for three years now--since the young Sith was Skywalker's age--and he'd gotten deathly sick of the Jedi's ramblings. Somehow, such carrying on was more dispicable coming from a grown and powerful warrior. A warrior, Vengeance thought as he splintered wood with his claws, powerful enough to obstruct his plans. But not for long, he told himself. The Light Side was weak! The Jedi Knights paid lip-service to renouncing love and emotional attachment, but only the Sith renounced them in truth. That was why the Dark Side's servants saw farther, struck harder, and would always be the most powerful. Theirs was the true faith. The Jedi lied when they claimed the Sith Order was only a few millenia old, a mere splinter group fallen away from the true path. In reality, it was the Sith who had existed since the beginning of time. The Jedi were the fallen ones; or rather, they'd been driven out by the ancient Sith for their weakness and unworthiness. In time, the Jedi set up their own shadow-faith, a dim reflection of the old, true way. Such was the wisdom that Sidious had taught him. Yes, Kenobi needed to die, for so many reasons. Young Skywalker would die with him. As for the Bedegraine woman, she was nothing to Vengeance, but her death would further the aims of his Master. Therefore, she would be destroyed too. The Sith's translucent inner eyelids slid closed as he wrapped his cloak and wings more tightly around himself. He would rest and meditate for a time. He needed to be in peak form tomorrow--the last "tomorrow" the Jedi would ever see. **** End 39/? This is the last of the stuff that was posted back in 2002! ::smashes bottle of champaigne over top of computer, computer dies, cats look confused:: -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/20/04 3:34pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (40/?) 6/20
	The Oyas' barn was a pretty cheerless place as the late afternoon light faded from the sky and the damp air grew colder. The mist had coalesced into a half-hearted sort of rain, and every now and then a droplet would leak through the rafters and splatter on R2's domed head or the raised hoods of the two Jedi. Obi-Wan had dragged over a rough wooden crate to sit on as he drew the layout of Moroara Pass on the floor, using a charred sweetgrass stem as a pen. In front of his drawing he'd set up the little slate easel Yerik Aingeru's father had given him, listing the names of Nidawi's volunteer fighters. Anakin sat dispiritedly at his Master's feet, watching him work. R2 had played Lady Bedagraine's holo recording for them, and both Jedi had fallen silent as the unsteady images flickered just above the floor. Whatever else you could say about Perahta's soldiers, they were good at their jobs; the unarmed Freespace volunteers never stood a chance. The Jedi were going to have their hands full trying to keep this last stand from turning into a mass slaughter. In a ritual Obi-Wan had already repeated a dozen times, he turned to hold his makeshift pen over the flame of a borrowed oil lamp. When the stem caught fire, he cupped it with his hand and blew it out. Herbal-scented smoke curled upward from the pen tip as he began sketching the route Perahta's troops would take through the Pass. Anakin's feeling of helplessness lay upon him like a weight. "I still don't see how any plan's going to work unless we get at least one of us offworld," he said. "I told you, it's not worth the risk," Obi-Wan said. "Even if one of us did manage to escape and get help, I doubt there'd be much left of Angharad when he returned." Anakin had to concede the point, but it didn't make him feel any better. "At least they'd know what happened to us," he muttered. "Patience, Padawan," Obi-Wan said. "We can't defeat Perahta's army, but we may be able to delay them. Time is our strongest ally at the moment. If the Republic doesn't save us, the summer floods might." "Well, what if they don't?" Anakin protested. "We may lose," Obi-Wan said. Niether Jedi added anything to that. It wasn't necessary to elaborate on what "lose" would mean in this situation. "Well, what if you stayed here to delay Perahta, while I got offworld?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan gave him a stern look and said, "I told you before--I don't want you out of my sight." "I made a mistake," Anakin said, trying to keep his voice as calm and controlled as possible. "I can see why you don't trust me. But this is bigger than me and my problems learning to--" "This isn't about punishing you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, setting down his sweetgrass pen and turning toward him. "I admire your courage, but you aren't ready. It's that simple." "It doesn't matter if I'm ready," Anakin pleaded. "A whole planet full of people will die if I don't go." "No future is certain," Obi-Wan reminded him. "There may be options we haven't seen yet." "Maybe," Anakin conceded grudgingly. "I know waiting is hard, but it's truly our best strategy at the moment," Obi-Wan said. "Try a meditation on patience," he added, as he returned to his work. "It won't help," Anakin said. Obi-Wan shrugged and said, "Suit yourself." **** End 40/? -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/21/04 10:10am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (41/?) 6/21
	Anakin folded his arms and sat listening to stray raindrops splash on the floor for a while. The passage of time felt like the fibers of a net drawing in closer and closer. "I just feel like I should be doing something," he exclaimed at last. "You are," Obi-Wan said, glancing over at him. "You're conserving your energy for the days ahead. You're going to need it." Anakin couldn't argue with that, but nothing that involved more sitting around and waiting was going to make him happy. Frustrated, he hit one of the planks in the floor with the side of his fist. If he'd hoped to get a rise out of Obi-Wan with his show of temper, however, it got him nowhere. The Master Jedi ignored him completely. Weary and becoming convinced his Master really wasn't going to argue with him on the subject, Anakin muttered, "I hate conserving my energy." Obi-Wan paid no heed to that complaint either, so Anakin demanded a share of his attention by slumping sideways to rest his head and arm on Obi-Wan’s knee, as if the elder Jedi were a sort of living windowsill to mope against. Obi-Wan brushed his hand over his hair. "Focus on the positive," he said. "We've got the high ground, our people know the terrain, and we have an excellent idea of where and when Perahta's going to strike. It's not a hopeless situation." No, it was just a really, really bad one. Anakin turned and rested his forehead in the crook of his elbow. Fussing and holding on like a kid would keep Obi-Wan from taking him seriously, but Anakin supposed that hardly mattered. Obi-Wan was never going to take him seriously anyway. "Don't worry," Obi-Wan said, as if he were comforting a child. "We've gotten out of worse situations than this." Anakin couldn't think of any at the moment. As he continued to mope, Obi-Wan bent down to continue sketching his battle plans. The Master Jedi worked awkwardly around the boy, keeping a reassuring hand on Anakin's shoulder. Anakin watched him work for a while, imagining the dark strokes of the pen becoming real troop transports and ion cannons. Finally he asked, "Why is it always the poor people in the Outer Rim who have to suffer when rich people get greedy? It's not fair." Obi-Wan sighed and said, "Well, there will always be people looking to exploit the poor and powerless." Then he glanced down at Anakin and added, "But there will also always be us, ready to step in and stop them." Under the circumstances, he clearly meant "us" in a broader, Jedi Order kind of sense. Only the Force knew if Obi-Wan and Anakin would still be alive in a week. "If we get through this, and I grow up, I'm going to keep guys like Keril Sarpedon from exploiting powerless people," Anakin said. "And that goes for the Hutts, and Watto, and . . . everybody." Obi-Wan nodded gravely and said, "If you could do that, then you truly would be the Chosen One." The noncommital mildness in his voice told Anakin that Obi-Wan believed he was indulging the fantasy of a child. **** End 41/? -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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DarthPenguin Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 6/21/04 10:44am Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (41/?) 6/21
	Congratulations on surpassing yourself, so to speak. Can't wait to see where you are going to take this story now that you've caught up. Ine thing for sure, the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin is going to be sorely tested. Anakin's continued moping shows that he still has some growing up to do, but he thinks that Obi-Wan doesn't give him the credit he deserves. Anakin's frustration is building. he feels that his master does not trust him, which Obi-Wan unwittingly confirms by telling him that he doesn't want him "out of his sight." Seems like Anakin thinks that saying "I'm sorry" should be enough to excuse his recent lapses in judgment. It probably doesn't help, either, that Obi-Wan isn't sold on the whole Chosen One thing. Boy, if R2 thinks C-3PO is a nitwit, I wonder how he feels about Mouse...
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/21/04 12:14pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (41/?) 6/21
	DarthPenguin wrote: Congratulations on surpassing yourself, so to speak. Thank you! I'm not sure if I'm thrilled or scared spitless. Although now that I've looked over this part again, I think I like it better than the stuff that was largely written in 2002. I think the style sounds more confident. Ine thing for sure, the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin is going to be sorely tested. Anakin's continued moping shows that he still has some growing up to do, but he thinks that Obi-Wan doesn't give him the credit he deserves. Yeah . . . in a weird way they're both right, though. Anakin's definitely not someone who should be taken lightly, if only because he's the loose cannon on the proverbial deck. On the other hand, Anakin's still just a kid, and not a terribly mature kid at that. Mr. Spark, meet Mr. Powder-Keg. Actually, this scene is a watershed moment in their relationship and it marks the beginning of "phase 2" of the Obi-Wan/Anakin story thread. I had a terrible, terrible time with this transition section back when I first wrote it--there were five or six versions of it floating around at one point. I could not get them from point A to the (false) resolution of point B to save my life. I finally decided the solution was to "Alec-ize" Obi-Wan a bit and to figure out what really motivated Anakin, that yahoo. Otherwise they were going to have that lava duel several years early. (What kind of a Sith Lord do you turn into if your Master knocks you into a sherqa pen, anyway? Darth Ungulate? Darth Ramshorn? Darth Angora-Sweater?) ::Briefly visualizes Darth Vader fused with Ed Wood:: Seems like Anakin thinks that saying "I'm sorry" should be enough to excuse his recent lapses in judgment. Yeah . . . he's a little unclear on the concept that rules apply to him too. It probably doesn't help, either, that Obi-Wan isn't sold on the whole Chosen One thing. You know, I think deep in his heart he knows that Anakin's either the Chosen One or the next-closest thing. I think he also has a lot of trouble with that on a personal level. I suspect that the idea of training a "Chosen One" scares the hell out of him, and, frankly, I think he wants his "baby" to be normal. Obi-Wan has all kinds of issues with Jedi who fall outside of the Order's expectations, and I think he doesn't want Anakin to have any part of that. Anakin, unfortunately, can't help it. To my way of thinking, this lends some legitimacy to Anakin's complaints about being misunderstood, even though (in my universe, anyway) Obi-Wan's a much better Master than Anakin give him credit for in AOTC. ("He never listens . . . etc, etc.") Boy, if R2 thinks C-3PO is a nitwit, I wonder how he feels about Mouse... Honestly, I'm not sure they interact much, but we'll see. Thank you for your comments, by the way. Feedback always makes my day. -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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honour Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 6/21/04 1:17pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (41/?) 6/21
	I just wanted to pop in to say how much I'm enjoying your story. I'm not an Anakin fan, not even as he's portrayed in your story, but that's not taking away from my enjoyment of your engaging storyline. I've never bought into the if Obi-Wan hadn't misunderstood poor, complicated Anakin, little Ani would never have fallen. IMO, Skywalker has fundamental character flaws: arrogance, superiority complex, emotional immaturity, selfishness.... So I'm not into the scapegoating of Obi-Wan that is so popular among so many. Anyway, love your story. Look forward to reading more.
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diamond_pony2002 Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 6/21/04 1:39pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (41/?) 6/21
	Anakin folded his arms and sat listening to stray raindrops splash on the floor for a while. The passage of time felt like the fibers of a net drawing in closer and closer. "I just feel like I should be doing something," he exclaimed at last. "You are," Obi-Wan said, glancing over at him. "You're conserving your energy for the days ahead. You're going to need it." Anakin couldn't argue with that, but nothing that involved more sitting around and waiting was going to make him happy. Frustrated, he hit one of the planks in the floor with the side of his fist. If he'd hoped to get a rise out of Obi-Wan with his show of temper, however, it got him nowhere. The Master Jedi ignored him completely. Weary and becoming convinced his Master really wasn't going to argue with him on the subject, Anakin muttered, "I hate conserving my energy." Obi-Wan paid no heed to that complaint either, so Anakin demanded a share of his attention by slumping sideways to rest his head and arm on Obi-Wan’s knee, as if the elder Jedi were a sort of living windowsill to mope against. Obi-Wan brushed his hand over his hair. "Focus on the positive," he said. "We've got the high ground, our people know the terrain, and we have an excellent idea of where and when Perahta's going to strike. It's not a hopeless situation." No, it was just a really, really bad one. Anakin turned and rested his forehead in the crook of his elbow. Fussing and holding on like a kid would keep Obi-Wan from taking him seriously, but Anakin supposed that hardly mattered. Obi-Wan was never going to take him seriously anyway. "Don't worry," Obi-Wan said, as if he were comforting a child. "We've gotten out of worse situations than this." Anakin couldn't think of any at the moment. As he continued to mope, Obi-Wan bent down to continue sketching his battle plans. The Master Jedi worked awkwardly around the boy, keeping a reassuring hand on Anakin's shoulder. I LOVE THAT PART!!!! IT'S A LITTLE BIT FLUFFY AND OBI-WAN IS ACTING LIKE A BROTHER AND A FATHER!!! -----signature----- Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve.- FFA Motto
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ophelia Title: Ex-Mod Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 6/21/04 5:13pm Subject: RE: Spirit Warriors of Angharad (41/?) 6/21
	honour wrote: I just wanted to pop in to say how much I'm enjoying your story. Thank you very much! And welcome to the thread. I'm not an Anakin fan, not even as he's portrayed in your story, but that's not taking away from my enjoyment of your engaging storyline. Anakin's challenging to write because he's not so much compelling for who he is as for who he will become, and who he might have become. (I know there are people who will disagree with me, some of whom have written really spectacular characterizations of Anakin. But work with me here. Also, don't tell anakin_girl what I just said. ) That said, I admit to having a soft spot for the young, not-yet-fallen Ani, and I think there's something to his desire to see more emotional, family-like attachments within the Jedi Order. Still, he's not exactly a good salesman for that kind of change, is he? I've never bought into the if Obi-Wan hadn't misunderstood poor, complicated Anakin, little Ani would never have fallen. Nah. I think Obi-Wan did the best he could by the kid, and Anakin certainly had more care, opportunities and guidance than a lot of other kids who turn out fine. I won't go so far as to say that Anakin was doomed to fall--I think GL has gone on record as saying that Yoda could have trained him in such a way that he wouldn't have become Darth Vader, but that's not the same as saying that Anakin didn't choose his fate or that it's "all Obi-Wan's fault," as Mr. Chosen One himself has claimed. FWIW, my own non-EU background for Obi-Wan has him orphaned as a very young child when a terrorist faction blew up the manmade-island/city his family lived on. (It sounds very topical and possibly tacky after 9/11, but it wasn't in 1999, when I wrote it.) Qui-Gon and his previous student (who is not Xanatos one bit in this universe) found him and brought him to the Jedi Temple. Much angst and handwringing ensues over whether Obi-Wan is doomed to fall to the dark side because of what he experienced. The answer, obviously, is no. In Obi-Wan's case, early adversity and the skepticism of the Council served to cement his loyalty to the Order and its goals, not to turn him against them. Whether or not you like that background for him, it does point up the significance of character and personal choice, and (maybe) helps explain why Obi-Wan appears to completely discount Anakin's various life stressors as excuses for un-Jedilike behavior. ("Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . you were a slave and you miss your mom. Voorish terrorists blew up my whole freaking city, so don't talk to me about it!") I'm not sure to what extent this background will come up in "Spirit Warriors," but it's the history I imagine for him. arrogance, superiority complex, emotional immaturity, selfishness.... Oh, yeah. Anakin is "Holdfast," the evil-king archetype Joseph Cambell talks about in "The Hero With A Thousand Faces." He wants everything his way all the time. He just can't let go of the tiniest thing. Like a lot of people, I figure that's why GL had him start out as a slave and end up as Palpy's "servant." It's also why I have him see chains when he tries to meditate. Anakin may or may not be likable, depending on your perspective, but he is interesting, and a definite challenge to work with. (Just ask Obi-Wan. ) diamond_pony2002 wrote: I LOVE THAT PART!!!! IT'S A LITTLE BIT FLUFFY AND OBI-WAN IS ACTING LIKE A BROTHER AND A FATHER!!! If you like that, then you'll probably like this whole scene. Obi-Wan's gentle and patient but firm throughout. Anakin is, naturally, Anakin. -----signature----- In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps with your mom
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