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

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

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]

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[When he got Luke's message earlier, he knew it was time. He'd been waiting for this discussion, knew it had to happen eventually, and these past few days he'd been growing more restless as he waited. He trusted Luke's judgement to wait, but at the same time it was almost agonizing. It was a heavy weight he'd carried with him these past few weeks he'd been here in Luceti. It was going to be bad whatever it was he had to be told, for that he was certain. And it was probably reason why Obi-Wan was seemingly avoiding him as well. That fact alone wasn't helping his mood.

In the hours before the meeting he'd taken to meditating in his room, trying to prepare himself the best he could. It didn't help much. His nerves are still on edge when he steps out of his room to meet Luke at 7:00. He's quiet as he walks into the room and his expression almost grim. He passes Luke and takes a seat in one of the chairs beside him. He's stiff, anxious. He'll let Luke start.]

[Luke turns, somewhat anxious for the others to arrive. It really had been far, far too long a wait for Anakin, he knew that, but there just hadn't been a better time. This was going to be one of the most difficult speeches he ever gave. It had great potential to go either way in the end, but no matter what, Anakin was not going to like what he had to say.

Blast it, where was Ben? Why couldn't he have just stuck around. Or shown up on time.]

Anakin, I'm sure that you've gotten a bit anxious, and I'm sorry. I wanted to wait for New Feathers to stop arriving before we had this discussion. Before we start, I'd like to wait a moment. I spoke with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and with a few others who've met you. They will be arriving shortly.

I also would like you to know that no matter what might be said, know that Ben bears you no ill will. Please, do not be angry with him for his absence. He loves you, but his timeline is...well...its not good.

[Obi-Wan arrives, finally, a few minutes before the appointed hour. At first he is reluctant to enter, but finally, hesitantly, walks into the main room of the apartment unit.

When he sees Anakin, he pauses for a moment. It was one thing to know of him, to know he was here, but to see him in person was... different.

A host of emotions rushed through him, but he fought to calm and center them. This was Anakin. His friend. He needed Obi-Wan to be here, to be calm, and to be the mentor he had always been.]

"... Anakin. It is good to see you again."

[That... actually makes Anakin a little more anxious. Obi-Wan he can understand being here, but the others? He purses his lips a moment as he looks at Luke with some confusion. And of course he's not angry with his Master for being absent. Not at all. He was more on the side of being upset by it more than anything.

He's about to answer Luke when Obi-Wan arrives. Anakin quickly stands up from his seat, the uneasiness and anxiousness forgotten for the moment. He doesn't move otherwise, though. It's relieving to see his mentor there, and even takes away some of his tension for the time being.

He looks at Obi-Wan, then to Luke again before shyly ducking his head a little. It's still probably not hard to miss the cheeky grin that crosses his face. Oh hi Obi-Wan I know you've already met my son here. Uh, about that!]

It's good to see you too. I'm... I know I have some things to explain.

[Luke does sense Anakin's growing unease. Yes, he knows that the others may confuse Anakin, but in all honesty, Luke feels that without their support he'd be unable to say what needs to be said. Its a little selfish, and a little silly, but this is his father...and what he's about to tell him...well...to call it difficult isn't strong enough. Its heart-wrenching. Its agonizing. But better this than the alternative...]

Ben, I'm glad you could come. Would you please sit and join us?

[Luke gestures to the others to do the same]

Thank you for coming. Anakin, I know the others here may make you feel a little awkward, but I must admit I wouldn't be able to explain all this without their support. I asked them here for that, and to let you know that no matter what you'll always have someone you can talk to.

[Luke takes a long, deep breath]

I'm not even really sure where to begin, so...perhaps its best to start from the beginning. Anakin, have you ever noticed anything...strange or offputting about Supreme Chancellor Palpatine?

[Since Leo started living with Luke and Anakin, he's been doing his best to treat Anakin like he did Luke. Not as a future bane of the universe. But as someone he trusts. Despite what he would become, Anakin wasn't Darth Vader yet. There's no reason to treat him as such.

Luke talked to Leo the other day, so he knew this would be coming. Once he got the message with the time, he took time to get himself mentally ready for what may come. Even if he's just a back up in case things go down hill. He trusts Luke and Obi-wan. But he's seen from the movies just how bad things can get in a Jedi fight. He's also aware that Ami and someone named Adele will be here too.

He slips out of the room he's occupying. Though he stops, before entering the living room. But Luke's gesture makes him relax, and he moves into the living room, greeting the others before he takes his seat. He nods at Luke's words, he's definitely willing to listen if Anakin ever needs it.]

[Ami's not sure why she's here. No, actually, she's sure of exactly why she's here: She's here to make sure things go smoothly, the talk stays calm, the revelations aren't so jarring that they lead to catastrophe. It's a tightrope she's walked already for herself, with Usagi regarding the princess.

What Ami's actually not sure of is how much good she can do. She lacks the confidence to think she can make cooler thinking prevail - and yet she has to. The consequences are too large.

More to the point, though, she's here for Luke's sake, to offer the comfort of her presence and a supportive face. She offers him the smallest of smiles, and a few quiet nods or greetings to the others, though she takes not care not to interrupt or be distracting.]

[Ben takes his seat, close to Anakin but not enough to crowd him, opposite Luke. It's a bit tense, but he keeps himself calm and centered nonetheless. It's oddly easier when he's actually faced with Anakin, as if the need to keep himself centered for his former student's sake was enough to keep it at bay. He offers a nod to Leonardo and Ami as they enter]

[Luke had called, Ben had met her just outside the building, and this. This was grave enough she could manage the height without medication. Making Anakin comfortable and secure enough to discuss what they would be handling was important enough she came unarmed, but she did come with her case. As a precaution. She slides it behind the nearest chair and chooses her own, off to the side so the Jedi might speak. Ami, and Leonardo get a quick nod of her head and half grin, Luke and Anakin softer, more sincere smiles. Whatever was discussed? All she could hope is she wouldn't be needed.]

[Anakin takes his seat again as the others arrive. It's... still worrying that they're here, but he ignores the sinking feeling in his stomach. It was Luke's judgment, so Anakin will go with it.

His brow furrows a little at the question and he doesn't answer for a few moments.]

No, of course not. He's been nothing but kind since the moment I met him.

[Luke spares time for a nod to each, and a thankful smile to Ami in particular. He was grateful to each and every one of them, but he knew he could count on her to be able to relate. She hadn't said much, but she had alluded to the fact that there were similar troubles in her own world.

Turning back to Anakin, he gulps. This was going to be the hard part]

No? Even...when he ordered you to kill Count Dooku? Did that not strike you as odd? To not take in a wounded enemy commander, and offer a trial? Furthermore, do you not think it was odd that he was so insistent that it be done at that exact moment? I do not mean that he was unkind to you, but merely that some of his...actions perhaps should have raised a few eyebrows.

Please, don't be alarmed that I'm aware of that. I'm sure...someone has at least informed you that our lives are works of fiction in other realities. You and I, and Ben, were central to a series of films it seems. That's how I know.

I don't really know how best to say this, Anakin. Do you remember when Master Qui-Gonn was killed by that Sith warrior? That Sith had a teacher and a master, in accordance to Sith tradition. This man was named Darth Sideous. He is, or was in my timeline, an incredibly dangerous individual who managed to work his way into the highest echelons of the Republic, using the Dark Side and his own magnetic persona to remain hidden, even in the face of powerful Jedi like Master Yoda and Master Windu.

He'll pause, allowing Ben a chance to explain. Or perhaps for Anakin to process]

Edited 2012-03-26 07:53 (UTC)

[Luke had paused, simply leaving it in the air like a subtle insinuation. He had wanted to allow Luke to explain, but he could not allow the ambiguity to remain in the air. The sooner it was all out in the open, being confronted, the less chance there was for a misunderstanding.]

"... Palpatine deceived us all, Anakin. He orchestrated his own elevation to Supreme Chancellor. He manipulated Padme, and then later her proxy, into granting him a level of power unprecedented in the history of the Senate.

And then, he had you execute Count Dooku. The one person who might have conceivably been convinced to relay the name of his master. He even told you to leave me for dead, afterward.

I regard it as my own failure, Anakin. I should have protected you. Seen what he was trying to do. I was blinded, as we all were."

[So, they knew. They both knew he had executed a defenseless man in cold blood. It was something he was ashamed of, and they both knew. What else did they know?

It all sends his mind reeling. Sure there were a few things that the Chancellor did Anakin didn't particularly agree with, but all of the man's actions seemed rational enough. And now here they were, implying Palpatine was a Sith Lord. He didn't want to believe it—couldn't believe it. This was the man who had treated him like a son all these years. Palpatine was the only one Anakin could really talk to, he was the only one who really understood. He tries to hold back his emotions but his mind is racing, trying to think of some rational explanation. They were wrong.]

No, the Chancellor was right; Count Dooku could not be left alive. He was too dangerous. Was it not the best for the Republic? Without him it leads us one step closer to ending the war.

[His actions were justified even if they he felt like it was wrong. right? But... he's still conflicted. He looks at them both, trying to find anything that says they're lying. He doesn't, and it's out of that frustration that his anger slowly starts to build, and it's very apparent as his voice starts to become louder. He shakes his head furiously. They're wrong.]

I don't believe it. You're wrong about him. The Chancellor is a good man—he's an honest man. I would have seen it. It's not him. [Maybe he's just trying to convince himself more than he's trying to convince them.]

[Ami's eyes find Anakin's, but she remains calm in the face of his wrath, a gentle voice as his rises to anger.]

These are also good and honest men. [It's neither accusation, nor defense; only speaking up for her friends and reminding Anakin that they're his as well - and what reason would his mentor and his own son have to lie?]

Please, hear them out. [Again, she avoids insisting that he change his mind or believe them, only that he at least keep his mind open to the possibilities. After all, there are unbelievable things in her own past, too - and shameful things.]

[Luke shook his head, and resisted the urge to say something more drastic. Instead, he simply took a second to compose himself. He KNEW that was going to be hard for Anakin to take. This, however, was just the beginning. There would be a great deal of angst tonight. Boy, it was already rough...

Luke turned and nodded at Ami, thankful for her support.]

Anakin. What reason would I have to lie about this?

Deep down, you know that the Dark Side can hide anywhere, in anything. Search your feelings. You know something was off about Palpatine.

Edited 2012-03-26 09:30 (UTC)

[Obi-Wan sighed and closed his eyes. He could read Anakin's reactions plainly, as easily as he could sense them through the Force. This would not be easy.]

"Anakin, he has done... more. Far more, between your place in the timeline and mine."

[And so have you. It's so much harder to believe when he's speaking to the man Anakin was, once. He had anger, true. He had his share of darkness. But he was not evil.

He was... trusting. So terribly trusting. It may have been the most painful thing about all of this.]

[Anakin spares Ami a glance when she speaks up. He knows they are, which is another reason why he's so conflicted right now. There is no reason why they would lie about this, and he has no reason to even begin to think they're lying. It's just... it's hard.

He takes a deep breath.]

I know, I'm just... I don't even know how to begin taking this all in. He's like a father. If what you're saying is true it completely changes everything. [Which he's starting to realize probably isn't even half of it and might be a bit of an understatement.] So what does this mean?

[Luke carefully gauges Anakin's reaction. It does seem that, at least, he's able to believe it. Surely he had his doubts about Palpatine. Maybe, now, he'll listen]

It...changed a lot of things. Imagine what a Sith Lord in his position would be capable of doing. With control over the entire Republic military? And, thanks to his deception, dictatorial powers over the Senate?

[Luke actually shivers. Just remembering the films, thats a truly horrifying thought]

He...tricked everyone. His plan was flawless. Nobody saw it coming.

[Obi-Wan didn't have to see the films. He found the bodies.]

"Anakin, in the timeline I came from... Palpatine had gone a step farther. He confessed to you that he was a Sith Lord, and you reported it to Master Windu. When Master Windu attempted to arrest him, he attacked and killed Windu. He told the Senate it was an assassination attempt...

And he used the public sympathy to gain the approval he needed to reform the Republic into an Empire. He made himself an Emperor, Anakin."

[He still really, really does not want to believe any of this, but he's trying to keep an open mind as much as possible. He's at least giving into the possibility. If it were anyone else besides them that were telling him all this, he would have never believed it in a moment or even given it the slightest consideration. And at least for now that flare of anger has mostly subsided, though it is still there. It's just starting to become focused toward Chancellor Palpatine instead. And he's still very much upset, just holding it back to not show it much in front of their guests.]

...he's killed Master Windu. [That's a feat all in itself. What Obi-Wan says after really has him on edge, though.] There has to be a way to stop him and show the Senate the truth.

That...remains to be seen in your timeline. In mine, its far too late. The Republic became an Empire, and there was a civil war. We, the Rebellion, were victorious though even twelve years later we're still fighting the Imperial Remnants.

[He does genuinely hope that perhaps, maybe, there is a way Anakin learning this can make a difference. A chance, maybe, for them to find a way to share memories 'back home' and stop the threat of Palpatine once and for all, before he can even get started]

Its not quite written in stone. Perhaps there is a way to make a difference, but we cannot know.

[He can feel the rage inside of Anakin. It has been subdued, but not controlled, and that concerns him.]

"More important, Anakin, is that you must control your anger. The things we must tell you will be painful to hear. If you give into rage at Palpatine, it will lead you to a place as dark as him."

That's a lot easier said than done.

[He admits lightly. And it is. It's hard to control that compulsion inside of himself, but he can try. He takes another deep breath to remain calm.]

I'm almost afraid to ask what all happened. You said things were... bad.

Edited 2012-03-27 05:12 (UTC)

[And now, Luke has NO idea how to go on. Remembering Darth Vader was one thing, but...explaining it to, well, Darth Vader. That was something entirely different. This is something he cannot beat around the bush about. There isn't a delicate way to explain...being seduced by the Dark Side and spending decades scouring the Galaxy for Jedi and rebels...

But he's going to try.]

You really should prepare yourself for this, Anakin. Things were very bad. Only a few Jedi escaped the Emperor's initial attack. Fewer still survived the dark times that followed.

[He pauses, gulping, and looking around the room. His eyes start at Obi-wan, seeking affirmation that it must be done. Slowly, they move to Ami, asking for her calming support. Next Adele, this time drawing strength from her stoic nature. Finally Leonardo, to reinforce that if things went badly...he'd have an ally]

Anakin. You...were turned to the Dark Side. Emperor Palpatine. He...deceived you worst of all.

[There really is no way for you to prepare yourself for something like that. It's not something you can just shrug off and say "I did? Oh, well then." or even try to take is as calmly as possible. Especially not when your name is Anakin Skywalker.

Anakin is eerily silent for the first few moments, trying to let what Luke just said sink in. Though he's silent, it's probably easy for both Obi-Wan and Luke to sense the emotions stirring within him, and it's even starting to read on his face. It's not anger, at least, mostly a lot of pain and disbelief. He would never turn to the Dark Side, there's no way. And the other Jedi... Most of them were slaughtered? Is that what Luke is saying? How.

He swallows hard then looks to Obi-Wan and Luke.]

I wouldn't... How—[It's getting harder and harder for him to remain calm. He shakes his head in denial.]

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

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