Dad...you're a Sith Lord waiting to happen...

[thefinaljedi]

Who: Anakin, Luke, Obi-Wan, Leonardo, Ami, and Adele
What: Discussing Anakin's future
When: March 25th, Around 7:00 in the evening
Where: Community Building 5, Room 24
Summary: Trying to tell Anakin about Palpatine without him flipping out...
Rating: PG/PG-13 Possible strong language...


[Luke's been preparing this for some time now. He's taken time to talk to quite a few people a bout this and its been almost unanimously agreed that Anakin needs to know whats coming in his own future. Someone undoubtedly would tell him, and by all accounts it was best if the bad news came from Luke rather than a stranger.

Earlier in the day, he had sent messages to Anakin, Obi-Wan, Leonardo, Ami, and Adele, asking each of them to arrive around 7:00, and that they had something extremely important they needed to discuss. He'd laid out tea, cleaned up his droid-related mess, and had stashed his lightsabers in his bedroom. However, against one wall he had left his cortosis fiber staff, as a hopefully last resort if something went much worse than he expected. As another precaution, Luke's journal is open in an unobtrusive corner, set to an Unhackable filter to Lupin.

Settling in to wait, Luke sank heavily into a chair...hoping everything would go alright]

Comments

[thefinaljedi]

[This is quickly going south, fast. Luke knew something like this was bound to happen when the topic of Padme came up. Silently, he cursed Adele for her insensitivity, all the while asking the Force for guidance.

When Anakin's tantrum began, Luke did nothing, merely allowed his father to vent. He knew that Anakin would need to vent, and didn't think he could stop him. When he struck Obi-Wan, however, Luke stood up for the first time since the others had entered the room. He stepped between his father and Obi-Wan and laid his own mechanical hand on Anakin's shoulder.]

Father. You must quell your anger.

[Luke's tone was even, warm, and gentle. He knew far better than Obi-Wan just what it was like to lose control, and that sometimes anger was appropriate. But to strike another in a rage for trying to help wasn't acceptable.]

Obi-Wan is right. Ami is right. If you give in, then you risk undoing even the possibility of a happy ending. You are better than this.

[withnofear]

[He didn't want Luke to be right. He just wants to give into that anger and let it take control of him. His rage made him more powerful and that's what he needs. He needs more power to save Padmé. He was going to be strong enough to stop people from dying, he promised her that years ago.

But Luke's hand on his shoulder gets Anakin to stand down, even if his emotions were still burning within him like a furnace. He cradles his face in his hands again, ashamed and upset and just... lost.

He wanted them all to just go away.]

[fearless_leader]

[Crap. He knew it would be coming. Yet he still feels some guilt that he was the one that started it. It's hard to keep calm in this situation, but he manages it. He gets to his feet too, willing to help. Even if he won't be much of a match against the force.]

They're right. You are better than this Anakin. It's hard but...don't give in to the anger.

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke's eyes meet Anakin's, trying to get him to listen. Responding with more pressure would just make it worse, so Luke again tries the warm approach of an estranged son.]

Its alright, Anakin. I know you're feeling lost, and confused. Believe me, I've been there. But you don't have to give in to the rage. Here, you've been given a chance to do the right thing, and walk the Light path. Be strong, Anakin, and things can be set to rights. The Dark Side can't save Padme, but if you let go of your anger, and don't let fear cloud your judgement then you can find a way.

[A pause]

We. Together, all of us. WE can find a way.

[withnofear]

[...oh, Luke. Anakin could have never asked for a greater son than you. No matter how dark things seem right now, Luke manages to shine through it and keep Anakin from completely falling. He's not sure how much of a father he was, or if at all with how bleak his future looks, but he's so truly grateful for Luke's presence right now.

He takes a deep breath, nodding slowly.]

It's hard. All I can do is try—for her. And for you and your sister. I just... I don't even know where to begin. [He's so lost right now. How much time does he even have?]

[thefinaljedi]

[Still bearing that warm smile, Luke just nods and keeps his gaze steadily fixed on Anakin]

You've already taken the first step. Learning from, and focusing your anger into something productive. Thats the most important step, letting go of your fury, and channeling that into a conduit for the Light.

[Yes, he said that Obi-Wan. Gape away!]

There is a furnace in you, Anakin, as there is in me. The Force is strong in our family. But managing that power isn't something that comes easily. Release that anger, let it go. This isn't the place for it. In time, I'm sure the Force will guide us towards a solution.

For now, all we can do is accept that we are fortunate to have each other. [He gestures to everyone in the room] I asked the others to come not because I was worried you'd lose your temper, but because I wanted you to know that these are people who can help you, and that you can count on. Each one of them has something special. Wisdom, insight, experience, serenity. I feel that together, we can begin to take steps to prevent the bleakness of my past and your future.

[withnofear]

[As Luke speaks Anakin takes that moment to try and calm himself, just trying to focus on his words over the hurt and the anguish. He's not even sure how he's going to be able to let that anger go, suppressing any of his emotions was always something he couldn't do, let alone rage. It was a lot to ask, but... maybe there was hope.

He is fortunate. So very fortunate for Luke, and for all of them, really. Though he doesn't turn his attention away from Luke, Anakin can still sense the others' presence in the room and he acknowledges it. He hadn't even known most of them for very long, but here they were to offer some support. He doesn't really know what to say anymore. They all had to witness that outburst as he started to break. And Obi-Wan... he didn't deserve to be lashed out at like that, at all. How could he have done that to the man who was his best friend?

He's emotionally drained and can't really muster up more than a murmur when he speaks again.]

Thank you. All of you. I don't know what more I can say.

[fearless_leader]

[Leo slowly moves to sit down again as he watches. Keeping his own emotions in check, they certainly won't help. He nods to Luke's words, he really doesn't need to add anything. What's being said, and what has been said, were the right things. Not much else needs to be said.

He nods at Anakin's murmur too.]

You don't need to say anything.

[averybadfeeling]

"I cannot speak for anybody else present, but you never need to explain yourself to me."

[Obi-Wan tries to meet Anakin's eye. Tries to find some hint, however small, of the trust that Anakin used to have in him.]

"You're my brother, Anakin. I love you."

[withnofear]

[He feels like he does, though. Now more than ever. Obi-Wan was just as important to him as Padmé was but he hasn't been very appreciative of him, not at all. Anakin has defied and even at times resented him, because he's selfish. Too selfish to see Obi-Wan really did care about him. And that's all he wanted. Those words almost sting to hear because he doesn't deserve them, not anymore.

He's really screwed everything up, hasn't he? And now here he was, in a pathetic, miserable mess from his own decisions.

Anakin looks up at Obi-Wan, meeting his eyes. His face contorts into anguish again and he's barely able to hold his composure. He's so sorry. Sorry for being such an ungrateful brat, sorry for completely failing you and letting you down. He can't hold the gaze for long, having to drop his head in shame. It takes him a few seconds before he's able to speak again.]

How can you even still say that? I've let you down. If I just would have listened—[If he wouldn't have been so selfish and egotistical. He took everything for granted.] I'm sorry, Obi-Wan.

[fleurdesel]

With love comes understanding. Forgiveness. You are all but kin to him Anakin. Brothers in all but blood and name; he has not, and will not blame you for anything.

[Her voice is soft, gentle. Kinder than her earlier statements. Adele doesn't approach, this is something between Luke, Ben, and Anakin. This family that fate rent asunder.]

We cannot change the past. No one can, nor should we wish to do so. All anyone can do work to do better in the future. And here? You will not be alone in this.

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke nods, smiling and glad that Adele had found a gentler voice]

No Adele, thats not quite true. Anakin, Obi-Wan, and myself? We are a family. A family united by the Force.

[Taking some initiative, he offers a hand to both Anakin and Obi-Wan]

[geniustheveil]

[Ami, shy of intruding on the moment between family, doesn't add to the comments, but only gives Anakin a quiet, satisfied smile. The danger seems past and, like her, he'll have the ghost of a chance to try a new path.

This is not the time to dwell on the cruel twist Luceti gives to that thought. After all, despite her qualms, she has never given up looking for ways to carry those precious memories back with them all - and she never will stop.]

[averybadfeeling]

[Obi-Wan takes the hand without comment, though he does attempt to meet Anakin's gaze again, this time with a hint of amusement in his eye. An old habit, usually reserved for the hopeless overdramatics of senators, Sith Lords, and even on occasion a Jedi Master who had waxed a touch melodramatic.

It was the way things should have always been between them. Loyal servants of the Republic and the Order, faithful companions, and somehow never taking themselves or anything around them too seriously.]

"Family. I think I could deal with that."

[withnofear]

[It takes him a moment, but soon enough Anakin is following suit and taking Luke's other hand. He even looks at Obi-Wan again, and that look he's getting from him is comforting. It puts Anakin's mind at some ease, and is making him believe that just maybe everything will be okay.

The corner of his mouth even twitches into a faint smile. He nods.]

I think I can too.