Saga Thwarted Fate | (Clone Wars AU. Anakin; Padmé; Obi-Wan; Ferus; Barriss; Dooku.)

Really good chapter!
Tension is building!
Barris really is only kind and trying to help Anakin and Ferus thinks she's in love with him?
Looks like Padme and Anakin both need each other so much that they don't want to live without each other.

 

omg, Days of our Lives, Jedi Padawan! There's so many hidden motives and feelings.

Does Barriss have a deeper feeling for Anakin, or is it simply her healer's instinct that's pushing her to try and "fix him"?
Or is it an equal amount of both? - I imagine their dynamic functioning this way, in the stories where I've tried to write the A/B pairing.
And, if Barriss does have deeper feelings, how does she feel about being, at best, second string to a certain Senator from Naboo?

And Ferus...poor guy

Skywalker snorted and the tension dissipated. On his part, Ferus winced; the memory of the one and only time he had lost his temper and engaged in crude violence was not an endearing one.

But apparently, Skywalker didn?t feel that way. ?After I thumped Ferus, you mean.?

Ferus bristled. That was certainly not how he remembered it!

bwahahahaha!

Clearly words failed her to describe the conflicting mess of emotional garbage Skywalker always seemed to carry with him.

god, I love this line. And I love the way the narrator's word choice does so much to color for us the perspective of the dominant character. And yes, Anakin does have too much garbage.

?How can you say that? You are my friend, my bodyguard, my protection, my advisor-?

?Friend? Advisor ?? Dormé snorted. She felt relieved, speaking her mind to her mistress like this. It had been too long. ?When was the last time you sought my advice? Reacted to my opinion with anything more than contempt.?

Padmé?s eyes were flashing. Dormé?s matched them, glare for glare. It suddenly occurred to her that there was little Padmé could do that would hurt her, Dormé, more than Padmé already had. It was a very liberating feeling.

Oh, and I loved this. That final sentence is just like the coup de grace, the salt in the wound, the vinegar in the gash. Soooo perfect.

Sad to see Padme put in her place again. I get the feeling this may be a recurring theme as we move forward...

great update!

 

<i>But apparently, Skywalker didn?t feel that way. ?After I thumped Ferus, you mean.?

Ferus bristled. That was certainly not how he remembered it! </i>

ROFL!

I like how Barriss is caring and sweet. Not everyone would be able to put up with Anakin's moody and abrupt behaviour.

<i>Unwillingly, Ferus admitted to himself that he really didn?t have too look very far for confidants. A COMM and a short walk away was Barriss Offee ? the wisest, most compassionate Jedi of Ferus?s own age, and someone who had always been willing in the past to listen to his thoughts. The only problem was that ? Barriss was the problem.</i>

Awww. Poor Ferus.

<i>?Friend? Advisor ?? Dormé snorted. She felt relieved, speaking her mind to her mistress like this. It had been too long. ?When was the last time you sought my advice? Reacted to my opinion with anything more than contempt.? <?i>

Ouch!

The part where Dormé asks Padmé to attend the ceremony is rather sad. I get the impression that they've passed a point where they can't ever fully reconcile as friends.

 

?Yes, I get the reports, too. The Old Folks are all agog with your brilliant detective work. What a clever little canine you?ve turned out to be. But don?t expect me to go digging along with you.?

Ouch! That was unduly harsh. I'm disappointed in Anakin. Snarky, yes. Harsh and malicious, no. I actually feel bad for Ferus here. And yes that includes that line about Ferus tripping over his crush. I actually wanted to throttle Anakin there. Poor Barriss.


It was much later that her last words of gratitude sunk into his head. She had thanked him for informing her about the attack on Ohma D?un.

The first time Bail had heard about the matter was after Amidala had left Coruscant for the moon.

Dun-dun Dun! Ooo. . .I smell a set up.

---

[i]Ferus had heard enough. He slinked away from the door and returned the way he came. He lay on his cot and stared unseeingly at the trusses on the ceiling.

Skywalker. It had always been about Skywalker. Ferus was a fool to not have noticed it before now. But he had been ? no, not too blind ? he wouldn?t hide from the truth, unlike some other people. He had been too hopeful to see.

Barriss was capable of those feelings. She just didn?t feel them for Ferus. [/i]

Awww! You guys are killing me here. The return of Our Padawan Triangle. The three of them together make my heart ache. In a delicious sweet angsty heartbreaking way. I just want to hug all of them, for various reasons of course. :D

[i]?If you do value my opinion, then go to this Ceremony instead of me.?

Padmé froze at the door.

?I can?t.?

It was torn out from her.

Dormé heard her leave, without looking up. She was fighting back her own tears. [/i]

Okay, now I heart really IS breaking. Padmé is completely wretched. I'm happy she and Dormé have (kind of) made up but the end just threw me. She can't even be in the same room with Anakin.

As much as I smile and sigh at the idea of Anakin and Barriss, my heart bleeds for Anakin and Padmé. It's like with Anakin and Barriss, Barriss melts. But with Anakin and Padmé, Anakin burns. Ah, the Burning Man.

bran
the melodramatic one
ugh ::headdesk::

 

zomg, update soon!

 

EGKenobi:

Hope Anakin gets things sorted with Barriss

And with Padmé. And with Ferus. And with Obi-Wan? It?s a long list.

Thanks for the feedback!


GeneralKenobi7:

Really good chapter!

Thanks!

Barris really is only kind and trying to help Anakin and Ferus thinks she's in love with him?

Well, he believes he has good reason to think so?


Looks like Padmé and Anakin both need each other so much that they don't want to live without each other.

*sniffs*


Vivid_Scripts:

Does Barriss have a deeper feeling for Anakin, or is it simply her healer's instinct that's pushing her to try and "fix him"?
Or is it an equal amount of both?

Instead of giving you a straight answer, we?ll turn the question back to you: what do you think?


god, I love this line. And I love the way the narrator's word choice does so much to color for us the perspective of the dominant character. And yes, Anakin does have too much garbage.

LOL! Thanks. We really enjoy writing from Ferus?s head. It?s so snarky.


Sad to see Padme put in her place again. I get the feeling this may be a recurring theme as we move forward...

Yes, it will be. Thanks for the feedback!



anglerfish07:

Thanks for reviewing!

I like how Barriss is caring and sweet. Not everyone would be able to put up with Anakin's moody and abrupt behaviour.

Barriss is almost too good to be true. We?re constantly worried that we?re making her too nice.

Awww. Poor Ferus.

It?s amazing how much Ferus has won most people?s sympathy. There was a time when he was the most disliked character in the story.

BTW, if you want to add mark-ups, you have to use square brackets: [ and ].

The part where Dormé asks Padmé to attend the ceremony is rather sad. I get the impression that they've passed a point where they can't ever fully reconcile as friends.

I see that the é tip worked. Your observation is very, very uncanny?




_ThatJediScum_:

Ouch! That was unduly harsh. I'm disappointed in Anakin. Snarky, yes. Harsh and malicious, no. I actually feel bad for Ferus here. And yes that includes that line about Ferus tripping over his crush. I actually wanted to throttle Anakin there. Poor Barriss.

You would think that Anakin of all people would be more sympathetic of Ferus?s feelings for Barriss.

Dun-dun Dun! Ooo. . .I smell a set up.



Awww! You guys are killing me here. The return of Our Padawan Triangle. The three of them together make my heart ache. In a delicious sweet angsty heartbreaking way. I just want to hug all of them, for various reasons of course.




As much as I smile and sigh at the idea of Anakin and Barriss, my heart bleeds for Anakin and Padmé. It's like with Anakin and Barriss, Barriss melts. But with Anakin and Padmé, Anakin burns. Ah, the Burning Man.

You still have hope for A/P? You?re braver than I thought.


bran
the melodramatic one
ugh ::headdesk::

Awwww.


Vivid_Scripts:

zomg, update soon!

Right on it.

 

Chapter 14, Requiem

On the twelfth day, the sun refused to come out. Morning dawned dark and stormy on Naboo.

The chant of the Last Passage had begun. The maidens? voices mixed eerily with the swift gales that buffeted against the walls of the Palace.

Anakin Skywalker studied the ominous weather from his window and decided grimly that it rather reflected his mood. He had risen long before the sun. His had been a short sleep, the only kind that he seemed able to have these days, and he wondered if there wasn?t some merit in his earlier directive to rest and meditate in the Temple before embarking on another mission. Somewhere during the days on the work sites in Ohma D?un and the two days the Queen had hosted him, Ferus and Barriss in the Royal Palace, he had come to a startling realization ? one he hadn?t believed himself capable of.

He was tired.

Perhaps it had something to do with being back on Naboo. Really back and not just on her war-torn moon. The water planet called to Anakin?s soul in a way that dusty Tatooine and the over-crowded Coruscant had never been able to. From the fresh, breathable air ? not dusty like the sand planet or recycled like the city one ? her bright, myriad colours ? so different from the numbing yellow of Tatooine or the solemn greys and browns of the Jedi ? to the sound of rushing water, distant but clear in his mind as a near-by fountain sprayed its life-giving essence back into the ground from which it sprang. An essence that seemed to touch Anakin?s own soul, healing it, giving it peace.

Or perhaps, it was something much simpler than all those combined. Perhaps it was simply because he could feel her in this world ? where she had been born and lived, with roots as deep as the most ancient tree on Naboo. He could certainly feel her in this palace where she had lived for ten years. Where she even stayed right at this moment, mere metres away from him.

After all that had happened, after all that passed between them, he could not say whether her presence was still soothing to him. No, it was more than that. Her presence was a part of him. If he had ever had any delusions that one day, he could be complete without her, seeing her again on Ohma D?un had made him realize that that would never happen.

A heavy wind had started up. The curtains danced against the open windows and the clouds parted to let a ray of sunlight come through. By accident or design, the ray hit his metal hand where it lay against the window sill, and the glow reflected back against his face. Anakin stared at it, considering. He turned it slowly so that the back of his hand rested against the sill, the palm facing up and the fingers spread out. There was a split-second of reaction time. He grimaced. It was acting up again.

He was so used to it now; it was almost a part of his body. He thought about Arcus Novar, and his cybernetic limbs, and Aurra Sing and her taunts. Thought about the anger and impatience with which he had killed the man, almost killed the woman. The coldly analytical part of him realized now that he had been too hasty. Novar at least could have provided some valuable information about the happenings on Ohma D?un. Information that could have saved them everything they had gone through afterwards. The soldier part of Anakin, a part hardened and honed by the war decided that the loss of one more Separatist mercenary was a gain to the Republic. The Jedi part of him?

?didn?t know what to think anymore.

He had killed Arcus Novar without remorse, even with near-hatred because the man had attacked Padmé and he would have killed Aurra Sing for the same reason. It was hardly the first time he had killed in the Wars, and it definitely would not be the last. Had he touched the Dark Side? He didn?t know. He forced himself to remember that night of blood and hate on Tatooine, the night his mother had left this world and he had sent her murderers after her. He remembered how the Darkness felt then, the mind-numbing, intoxicating, a

 

Poor Padme Quite an angsty bit there.

 

Poor Anakin and Padme realizing things that have been there, but now they fully see it. Great job diving in their emotional angst Another excellent update!

 

very, very angsty--

That Padme section was just... It's so sad to see that she's trying to use her work to justify being a douche to those who should matter most (her family, her friends, etc)

And Anakin? Anakin's just a mess
It's time to grow up, kiddo. Become the Jedi you were always fated to be...or embrace the Dark with your emotional 'garbage'

Oh, and

Outside, the wind howled. The maidens wailed their last lament of the dead, and of the living that were not alive.

spectacular line! I loved that.

 

GeneralKenobi7: Quite an angsty bit there. | *sniffs* Thanks for the feedback!

Kynstar: Poor Anakin and Padme realizing things that have been there, but now they fully see it. | Exactly. This is the dark night of the soul, so to speak for both of them? ||| Another excellent update! | Glad you liked it!

Vivid_Scripts: very, very angsty-- | ||| It's so sad to see that she's trying to use her work to justify being a douche to those who should matter most (her family, her friends, etc) | Yes, she?s really at the breaking point, isn?t she? At least, she acknowledges she?s being a douche ? that?s a start? ||| And Anakin? Anakin's just a mess | LOL! ||| It's time to grow up, kiddo. Become the Jedi you were always fated to be...or embrace the Dark with your emotional 'garbage' | All in good time.

spectacular line! I loved that.| Thanks! Glad you liked it.

 

Chapter 15, The Ceremony at Naboo, 1/2

The rendezvous point was the M?Haeli system, a snowy isolated world just outside the Inner Rim galactic ring. It was here that a military convoy, led by the Acclamator-class ship Benevolent, was waiting to receive a small ARC-170 fighter. The huge ship and its supporting complement of armed military vessels would have appeared intimidating if not for the solid stripes of red marking each vessel that proclaimed them a consular convoy.

Once the fighter had successfully passed various security protocols, the great jaws of The Benevolent?s docking bay opened to take the smaller vessel into its belly. Leaving nothing to chance, no ordinary porter droids but an escort of clone troopers were waiting to receive the pilot as she stepped down from the craft. It was long minutes later when the hangar bay doors slid shut behind her and she felt the distant change of the engines that signified The Benevolent had re-entered hyperspace.

Once they arrived in the welcoming chamber of the starship?s upper deck, her escorts handed her over to the welcoming presence of none other than Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself.

?Your Excellency,? said Jedi Master Aayla Secura, bowing deeply.

Palpatine returned the bow. ?We are honored that you were able to join us, Master Secura. I trust that your campaign in Aereen went well.?

?Yes,? Aayla said, as together, they walked down a long corridor that led to Palpatine?s private staterooms. ?But it was not an easy victory for the Republic. Every day, the Separatists seem to develop more and more droids with more and more sophisticated capabilities. You have heard of the new IG-300 Hailfire super droid tanks? Just one has enough fast-firing missiles to take out a battalion of AT-TE walkers. Their shield generators make them almost impervious to laser assault. I don?t even want to think about what they could do to a peaceful world? the casualties could enter the millions.?

?Yes, I have read the Intelligence reports.?

?Then there are these rumors of an indestructible droid general.?

?I have heard the rumors as well. Until they?re confirmed, that is what they will remain. A story created by our enemies to strike fear into the heart of the Republic.?

Aayla was silent. Perhaps Palpatine was right. But dead beings could not confirm or deny rumors. Not even dead Jedi.

?Master Secura,? Palpatine said firmly, ?whatever advantage the Separatists may appear to have, I promise you that it is a temporary one. We should never forget that the Republic has one advantage that the Separatists will never have.? He stopped and so did she. His eyes were the gravest she had ever seen.

?And what is that, Your Excellency??

?We have the Jedi and the Force on our side. I strongly believe that this war is a war of faith. In the end, good always triumphs.?

There was nothing Aayla could say to counter that.

After a moment, they started walking again, passing through the doors into Palpatine?s salon. It was a large expanse of space, luxuriously decorated as befitting the Chancellor?s transport. The large port-windows had been screened with montages from various cultures and it provided an interesting backdrop to the myriad of species and auras gathered there. Pockets of conservationists loitered about the place and came to a gentle halt at the arrival of the Chancellor. Slowly, the occupants of the room, consisting mostly of dignitaries and high-ranking Government officers, gravitated towards the Chancellor with varying levels of deference. He replied courteously but did not stop to engage in any conversation. After a while, they floated back into their original orbits, though Aayla noticed that the awareness in the room had reformed from separate clusters to a single net with the Chancellor, who now stood at a corner of the room with Aayla, at the mental centre.

Discreetly, Aayla scanned the crowds and quickly identified Senators, Representatives, and Planetary Mon

 

Ponder on those last 2 questions Obi, come one keep pondering!

Great update once again! Always insightful and full of yayness! So agree with the Jedi about the ceremony, oh not good indeed!

 

Obi-Wan really (hates) dislikes Naboo, doesn't he? But it's quite understandable, I think.
Yay! Keep pondering the questions and you'll get evil palps!

 

Kynstar: Ponder on those last 2 questions Obi, come one keep pondering! | LOL! ||| Great update once again! Always insightful and full of yayness! | Awww! Thanks, hon!

GeneralKenobi7: But it's quite understandable, I think. | Can you blame him? ||| Yay! Keep pondering the questions and you'll get evil palps| Obi-Wan is getting a clue.

---

[color=blue][b]Chapter 15, The Ceremony at Naboo, 2/2[/b][/color]


[blockquote]

Obi-Wan was not one of the first to disembark from the Republic Cruiser. That honour was reserved for the Supreme Chancellor and his escort of Red Guards. But the Jedi Master fared well enough for himself, coming out well before the small hoard of Senators who were pushing to stand as near Palpatine as possible.

The meteorologists had been right. It was wet weather that met them on Naboo ? the first of its kind Obi-Wan had ever seen on the planet. Gungan bubbles serving as excellent rain-shields were placed over the landing square and the plaza where the reception committee waited for the Chancellor?s retinue.

Waiting to receive them was Queen Jamilla herself, as well as Senator Amidala,

[i](Senator Amidala! No-one told me she had returned to Naboo!)[/i]

the Royal Council and several colourful Naboo dignitaries. Obi-Wan ignored all of them, his eyes making a bee-line for his Padawan who stood straight and composed beside Padawans Olin and Offee.

Outwardly composed.

Anakin was quite firmly shielded, far more than the occasion warranted and the only access Obi-Wan had to him was through their bond. It was open, thankfully ? although he had had no reason to think it wouldn?t be ? and the Master could feel a myriad of disturbing emotions churning within his Padawan.

[i]Oh this is going to be fun[/i].

Instinctively, Obi-Wan?s eyes went to Padmé Amidala. Her dark veil hid her face from his view but he was looking at her with more than his eyes, and he quickly realized the truth. [i]That [/i]was not Senator Amidala. He relaxed somewhat.

It took long enough but the elaborate exchange of greetings between Chancellor and Royalty was completed and Palpatine now took his rounds acknowledging the rest of the welcoming party.

Obi-Wan was too far away to hear the exchange between Palpatine and ?Senator Amidala?. It was brief enough. Then the Chancellor went on to congratulate the Jedi Padawans. A long, involved congratulation by the looks of it and Obi-Wan was struggling valiantly with his patience by the time Palpatine finished and moved on with the rest of his retinue.

Now that he was here, the Ceremony would soon start.

?Master, I?m glad you could come,? Anakin said when Obi-Wan finally reached him. His eyes were full and there was a frightening moment when Obi-Wan thought the boy would hug him. Instead, he settled for a polite bow.

?Anakin,? Obi-Wan said by way of wary reply, still taken aback at the near display of affection. It was from near but safe distance that he studied his Padawan. From all indications, Anakin hadn?t suffered much physical damage on Ohma D?un. It was his soul that seemed to have taken the beating.

?Congratulations, Padawans,? Master Secura said to the three of them. Obi-Wan felt the Force brush up against him ? the mental equivalent of a slap on the back of his head.

He smiled ruefully as he turned to greet Olin and Offee. Yes, he supposed it had been rude of him to zero in on his own Padawan, especially as the Masters of these two were not here.

?Congratulations as well,? Obi-Wan said to each in turn. ?I have read the reports. You did fine work on the moon.?

Barriss Offee bowed and smiled charmingly, every bit as graceful as Obi-Wan remembered. Ferus Olin, who had never before lacked poise, replied with a stiff bow. Obi-Wan was surprised. A little investigation in the Force revealed that the other Padawan was quite heavily shielded, also out of proportion to the occasion. Had he and Anakin had one of their now commonplace clashes?

[

 

Oh no! That doesn't sound good! Palps is really getting on my nerves by now
I wonder what Anakin and padme will do?

 

Thanks for the tips on how to tyope in italics, Reihla_RS77_leia-n!

?Chin up, Poster boy,? Obi-Wan said gently, giving Anakin?s shoulder one last squeeze.

Hee! I thought this line was sweet and a bit funny.

Three and most disquieting: when he had felt Palpatine?s presence, why had his hand gone instinctively for his blade?

Dun dun DUNNN...

Her breath caught. Trembling fingers pressed onto the cold marble until her knuckles were white. Despite herself, her heart was swelling with pride as she drank in the sight of the tall, brave man that had stolen her heart and wouldn?t? couldn?t? let it go.

This part is so sweet. Poor Padmé and Anakin...it looks like it's impossible for them to live without each other.

He couldn?t understand how any one person could contain so much feeling and not be crippled or dead from holding it in.

Obi-Wan has a point. No wonder Anakin can be difficult at times, given his traumatic experiences and how intense his feelings can be.

 

Eep, I'm so late...

I have enjoyed every single update. This story keeps getting better and better. To me, there's never any OOC behaviors or stuff that just doesn't fit. Everything feels real, so real I sometimes forget this isn't canon. Hence me thinking Barriss and Anakin have this relationship in canon even though they never spoke a word to one another in the movies.

Anyhoo, onto the review.


Chapter 14, Requiem

A great insight into our lovers minds... You nailed the melancholy perfectly. You could feel the pain without feeling like the chapter was too over-the-top. There's a way to write good angst and boy do you succeed in this.


Chapter 15, The Ceremony at Naboo, 1/2

At last the Jedi may feel there's something wrong with dear ol' Palps. Well, more acutely Obi-Wan may feel this way. I love how Obi-Wan tries to deny the bad emotions like hatred for Naboo.

My love for Obi-Wan only increased with the latest update.

Chapter 15, The Ceremony at Naboo, 2/2


It was wet weather that met them on Naboo ? the first of its kind Obi-Wan had ever seen on the planet.

How fitting. I love it when Naboo isn't that much of a paradise. Makes it more realistic.

the Master could feel a myriad of disturbing emotions churning within his Padawan.

Oh this is going to be fun.[/i]

LOL... Obi-Wan is such a sadist.

?Master, I?m glad you could come,? Anakin said when Obi-Wan finally reached him. His eyes were full and there was a frightening moment when Obi-Wan thought the boy would hug him. Instead, he settled for a polite bow.

?Anakin,? Obi-Wan said by way of wary reply, still taken aback at the near display of affection. It was from near but safe distance that he studied his Padawan.

LMAO. This was as funny as it was touching. Anakin definitely needs a hug and it touched me to see him so vulnerable he would actually wish to receive one as soon as Obi-Wan comes. And Obi-Wan's reaction is also touching because he has trouble analyzing emotions.

?Congratulations, Padawans,? Master Secura said to the three of them. Obi-Wan felt the Force brush up against him ? the mental equivalent of a slap on the back of his head.

LOL... Your Jedi are much funnier than the Movies!Jedi.

Palpatine?s speech droned on and on. Obi-Wan tried not to fidget where he stood beside Barriss and Anakin. He would hardly be in a position to tell his restless Padawan to stay still if he could not.

LOL... I could completely picture the scene with Obi-Wan looking bored while Palps keeps going on and on...

?Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee!?

Palpatine?s booming roar startled both of them badly.

That startled me as well. Damn.

Obi-Wan felt his eyes widen despite himself. Anakin held his gaze for a while, then he turned away. His eyes continued their frantic searching.

The mystery ? if it had ever been one ? was solved. Anakin was searching for the Senator. Hoping against hope that she would be here at the ceremony.

Aww. Anakin broke my heart here.

Obi-Wan didn?t know what he felt about that. On the one hand, it was a good thing that the dangerous liaison had not been resumed. On the other hand...

It had been too long since Obi-Wan had seen his Padawan happy.

Totally how Obi-Wan would feel in this position. He really cares for Anakin and his happiness.

Then that whole exchange between Anakin and Obi-Wan was also very touching. And I loved Obi-Wan's gentle way of pushing him towards the stage.

Chin up, straight back. Good boy. Never let the world know you?re dying inside.

Ten years ago on this same world, Obi-Wan himself had stood behind the Queen and smiled to the people of Naboo like a brave, strong Jedi Knight; but in his heart, he had been little more than a frightened young Padawan whose Master had been cruelly taken from him.

It was Obi-Wan's turn to break my heart. I never saw it that way but it totally makes sense that Obi-Wan would resent the place.

Obi-Wan gasped. The pulsin

 

Chapter 14

This chapter is one reason why I love Anakin. This chapter is why I love your Anakin. There is so much going on with him other than the whole Padmé thing so I'm glad to see him reflecting all of the 'stuff' he is going through.

This chapter is also why I'm still holding out hope for Anakin and Padmé. They are, especially here, two halves of the same whole. And yes I know how cliché that sounds but it is the truth. If Anakin moved on to someone else who wasn't Padmé, he would never be whole. And neither Anakin nor that other person deserve that. Ya'll know who I mean.

---

Chapter 15


[i]Best of all, the Jedi, in its good graces, has seen fit to send you, Master Ti and Master Kenobi. Not to mention the three exceptional Padawans being honored on Naboo.?[/i]

::fangirl squee:: Both my girls Shaak Ti and Barriss are going to be together on the same planet at the same time.

Yes, shallow I know, but I just can't help it. :D


[i]Shaak Ti said in a low voice, ?I do not like it either? this ceremony, this charade.? Unsurprisingly, she had sensed Aayla?s uneasiness and its cause.
. . .

Aayla Secura stared at Shaak Ti?s grim face, realization slowly dawning on her. [/i]

First, I'm getting a really bad vibe here. This is the second or third time someone has expressed reservations about this ceremony.

Next, what does that last line mean? Why is Shaak Ti so grim? What is Aayla realizing?


[i]?I am so sorry, Master Jedi!? Palpatine cried, a hand to his heart. ?I did not know you were meditating!?

?Don?t be, Chancellor,? Obi-Wan replied automatically. His hand slowly fell from where it had flown to his lightsaber?s hilt. ?And pardon me for frightening you,? he added apologetically. [/i]

Uhm!!! No words. No words.

Keep your hand on that lightsaber Kenobi. You're gonna need it.


[i]Two, and puzzling: why hadn?t he been able to sense Palpatine?s approach when he, Obi-Wan had been deeply immersed in the Force?

Three and most disquieting: when he had felt Palpatine?s presence, why had his hand gone instinctively for his blade?[/i]

Yes, Kenobi, think these things through. Keep thinking real hard until you get the answer.


Sidenote: LOL! I totally didn't see Kynstar's reply until after I wrote mine. :D

[hr]

[i]?Master, I?m glad you could come,? Anakin said when Obi-Wan finally reached him. His eyes were full and there was a frightening moment when Obi-Wan thought the boy would hug him. Instead, he settled for a polite bow.

?Anakin,? Obi-Wan said by way of wary reply, still taken aback at the near display of affection. It was from near but safe distance that he studied his Padawan. From all indications, Anakin hadn?t suffered much physical damage on Ohma D?un. It was his soul that seemed to have taken the beating. [/i]

Oh Obi-wan! You really need to hug that boy. Anakin needs a hug. Anakin needs Obi-wan to give him that support and comfort. Ugh! I feel like crying.


[i]Anakin took strong, slow steps onto the platform. Queen Jamilla?s painted face emerged from behind the Chancellor to present his award. His lanky height was too much and he had to bend down for her to gently place a medal around his neck. Barriss Offee and Ferus Olin were already standing in formation, medals gleaming.[/i]

Hey! This reminds me an awful lot of that the medal ceremony at the end of ANH.


[i]Something was desperately wrong. Her heart ached for her friend. If only she, Barriss, could help him. If only he would let her?

But rather, Anakin was almost jumping out of his skin in his eagerness to get away from her.

?I have to go? I?ll contact you later.?

He barely looked at her, slipping away from her hold as he quickly turned and disappeared into an empty passageway.

Barriss bit her lip sadly, unable to do anything but watch him go. [/i]

See!

Wonderful job ladies. I love coming here reading this story. I don't have as much time to spend on the boards like I used to, but when I read this story it remind me of why I love coming here, and why I still, after almost four years, love these characters and love reading a

 

Oh Anakin, you really should listen to Barriss.

 

Oi...not good if both Aayla and Shaak Ti are getting the vibes. Though yeah, what Jedi wouldn't know it was all for show (pompous politics; that's all it is...and then some!)

Come on Obi! Get the groove going! You know something isn't right with Palpy, trust your instincts! As Qui would say; feel, don't think!

So Anakin will get to talk to Padme finally yay! (Well we hope he can...)

Can't wait for the next chapter!

 

GeneralKenobi7: Oh no! That doesn't sound good! Palps is really getting on my nerves by now | I think he will be flattered by that! ||| I wonder what Anakin and padme will do? | Thanks for reviewing!

anglerfish07: Thanks for the tips on how to tyope in italics, Reihla_RS77_leia-n! | You?re welcome! ||| Hee! I thought this line was sweet and a bit funny. | Thanks! ||| Dun dun DUNNN... | LOL! Yeah, you think? ||| it looks like it's impossible for them to live without each other. | Not impossible? just very, very hard. ||| Obi-Wan has a point. No wonder Anakin can be difficult at times, given his traumatic experiences and how intense his feelings can be.| That?s a very interesting way of looking at it. It?s not Anakin?s feelings, technically that Obi-Wan is reading now, but it could easily have been his feelings at one time or the other. Thanks for the feedback!


Padlei: Eep, I'm so late... | But you make it so worthwhile! Squee! ||| I have enjoyed every single update. This story keeps getting better and better. To me, there's never any OOC behaviors or stuff that just doesn't fit. Everything feels real, so real I sometimes forget this isn't canon. Hence me thinking Barriss and Anakin have this relationship in canon even though they never spoke a word to one another in the movies. | That is about the nicest thing you could say! |||

You could feel the pain without feeling like the chapter was too over-the-top. There's a way to write good angst and boy do you succeed in this. | Thank You! We were really worried about this chapter, and we seriously considered taking it out completely. |||

At last the Jedi may feel there's something wrong with dear ol' Palps. Well, more acutely Obi-Wan may feel this way. | He has his moments. ||| My love for Obi-Wan only increased with the latest update.| Oh noes! |||

How fitting. I love it when Naboo isn't that much of a paradise. Makes it more realistic. | Oh, you spotted that. It?s setting the mood ? the storm both within and without ? and it?s also a reminder that Naboo is no longer (if it ever was) a safe haven. ||| LOL... Obi-Wan is such a sadist. | Snarky!Obi-Wan is the best kind. ||| Anakin definitely needs a hug and it touched me to see him so vulnerable he would actually wish to receive one as soon as Obi-Wan comes. And Obi-Wan's reaction is also touching because he has trouble analyzing emotions. | It?s why I have this pet theory that physically affectionate Qui-Gon might have made a better Master. ||| LOL... Your Jedi are much funnier than the Movies!Jedi. | Oh, you should watch the Clone Wars. |||

He really cares for Anakin and his happiness.| He does, doesn?t he? (face_grudging) ||| It was Obi-Wan's turn to break my heart. I never saw it that way but it totally makes sense that Obi-Wan would resent the place. | Yes, it was nice to look at the events of TPM, so to speak, from Obi-Wan?s perspective for a change. I mean, this was the mission that caused him his Master?s life. He?s not likely to have fond memories of Naboo. It?s why I don?t get the fanon (canon?) that Padmé and Obi-Wan are such very good friends. Apart from the fact that they barely interacted in TPM (he might be good friends with Sabé though), he associates her with a pretty black time of his life. But I digress? |||

I loved how Obi-Wan sensed Padmé's feelings. At least someone feels the torment she's going through. | Oh good, you spotted that. ||| Oh Padmé has it bad... So sweet. Reminded me a lot of the beginning of ROTS and how they described her feelings for Anakin in the book. | *looks askance* ||| Stop breaking my heart Anakin, will you? | *sniffs* ||| Obviously they're as discreet as they are in canon. | Stealth! Padmé is offended. |||

Eee! An Anakin/Padmé scene? Ye

 

Chapter 16, A Jedi?s Reward, part 1



Anakin could just see Padmé?s cloak ahead of him, swirling and dipping across the floor. Her steps were silent on the marble. He had only been to the Palace a couple of times; if he took his eyes off her he would be lost. Just before she disappeared around a corner, he thought she glanced briefly in his direction.

His pace quickened.

He rounded the corner and stopped short. At the end of a short hallway was a set of open double doors. Beyond the doors she stood in front of a blazing fire, her back turned to him.

Padmé.

For long moments, he just stared at her, transfixed. She had thrown back her hood and dark curls trailed to her waist. The old urge to rush to her side and run his fingers through her hair, to find out if it really felt as velvety as it looked, threatened to overcome him. He held himself back sternly. This was Padmé?s game and the next move was hers.

?I?m glad you came. I wasn?t sure? I?m glad.?

Her soft words, said so softly, so uncertainly, almost broke him. He dragged his eyes away from her and stared into the white-walled room. It was filled with bright tapestries and objects of intricate beauty. Her private Palace chamber. He had only glimpsed it once. Not far from here would be the yellow-walled stateroom where she worked. Where she had told him in no uncertain words that he was no longer a part of her life.

Even now, the memories still burned.

?I want you to leave, Anakin.?

Yet here she was alone. With him. Whom she had lured here. He couldn?t begin to fathom why.

?Anakin.? Her shoulders rose and fell.

Her voice was like fire in his veins.

Helplessly, he took a step through the doorway, hesitation heavy in his boots. ?Padmé.?

She turned around to face him.

Behind him, the doors swung shut.

---

[/blockquote]

The massive, ornate doors framed Anakin?s dark form. Against them, he looked almost small, vulnerable. His face was naked; every emotion ? anger, hope, need, fear, love ? plain for her to see. It physically hurt Padmé to look at him.

?Anakin, I?? His eyes, those blue shard-like eyes seemed to bore right into her. Her throat closed painfully over her voice and she stopped. Swallowed hard. Tried again. ?I?m so? Thank you for coming, Anakin.?

He just stared her, silent, his jaw clenched, his hair falling softly into his eyes. She had forgotten how his beauty disarmed her. Nothing had ever broken the perfect composure of the stoic Senator from Naboo like Anakin Skywalker.

From the moment she had left her office for the ceremony, events had unwound themselves beyond the power of her control. Just like everything that involved her and Anakin Skywalker. There was no reason, no logic, no plan. There just was.

In the fireplace the flames crackled. Their reflection sparkled in Anakin?s eyes like a strangely metaphorical dance. Neither his gaze nor his silence wavered. As she watched, the riot of exposed emotions in his blue eyes turned implacable, like candles being extinguished one at a time. He was trying to close himself off from her.

Whatever last lingering misgivings she harbored towards this encounter, the sight of Anakin walling himself from her vanquished them. She hadn?t wanted to believe it but the evidence was before her very eyes. Anakin needed saving. And what sense did it make to save the galaxy entire if she could not act to save the man she loved?

?Anakin.? She unclenched her hands, held one beseechingly towards him. ?Please, I want to talk. Can we talk??

[blockquote][hr][/blockquote]

A halo of orange firelight danced around her dark green silhouette.

[i]Here is Padmé Naberrie, trembling in front of me, asking me to [/i]talk[i]. [/i]He had dreamt of moments like this so often that a part of him still wasn?t sure this was real.

From the desperation in her eyes he drew a horrible sort of satisfaction.

?How may I be of service, Senator??

Like he intended, his cold, fo

 

Jesus! Talk about intense. All of Anakin's weaknesses are so perfectly written here. Amazing job, you three!

And this chapter is once again another highlight reel of the reasons why I hate Anakin: he can't control himself, he can't think of anything except the almighty (me! I! myself! feelings!) and he doesn't even have the resolve to leave.
And Padme, begging him not to

way to get a creepy, abusive, dysfunctional relationship started

 

Padme can't decide what she wants, can she?
Still it's sad