Dark Legacy

Chapter 21 - Old Friends

Author's Note: This chapter includes mentions of the Tatooine Slave Culture created by fialleril. ^-^ Also there are some references to the horrors of slavery. Nothing graphic, of course. They're just... there.

~ Amina Gila

The aftermath of freeing Mos Espa was... strange if Obi-Wan is being honest. The moment the job was done, Anakin had left his armor behind and all but vanished into the crowds of people swarming around. Their bond hummed contentedly in the back of Obi-Wan's mind, so he hadn't worried, but it was still odd for Anakin to be gone for so long. By the time the sky was lightening, Obi-Wan had awoken, and Anakin was still nowhere to be found, so he decided to go in search of him, leaving Ahsoka behind with Padme, Sabe, and the clones.

When he finds Anakin in a small, roofed courtyard in the slave quarters, he comes to a standstill, something fond yet wistful springing to life inside of him. Anakin is laying with a group of younger children, though there are some adults around. He must have fallen asleep while reassuring them and probably telling them stories. He sticks out with his dark robes in stark contrast to the dirty, ragged, lighter clothing of the others, but he doesn't not fit either. Obi-Wan already knew, from Anakin's mind, that a part of him has always remained in the past, but he never really accepted how much or the implications of that until now.

It's strange that Anakin seems more comfortable among his fellow freed slaves than he ever did at the Temple. But at the same time, no, it's not really all that strange, Obi-Wan decides. The Jedi never did their best to make Anakin feel welcome and accepted; he was often bullied, partially because of his past and partially because of his strength, and he never felt at home among the Jedi. Hopefully, this mission will help Anakin heal.

Obi-Wan nudges Anakin through their bond, silently urging him to wakefulness. They still have to travel to other parts of the planet, but that can wait for later, or maybe even tomorrow. They do have two weeks here, after all. Other planets will be faster because they won't need to linger as much. Maybe Anakin needs these people as much as they need him. Obi-Wan can at least grant him this in the hopes he'll be able to move on from his troubled past.

Anakin shifts, turning over as his eyes open. He seems momentarily confused, before recognition flickers across his face and he sits up. An unnamable emotion flashes across his face as he looks at the sleeping children, before he gently moves a young Twi'lek girl off of him, settling her on the ground next to a Rodian boy.

"Hey, Master," says Anakin quietly, standing. He doesn't bother to dust the sand off himself, stepping over the bodies as he makes his way to the entrance. "What's the plan for today?"

Obi-Wan studies Anakin for a moment, looking him up and down before meeting his eyes and giving him a gentle smile. "I think perhaps we can take today to help the slaves here," he suggests. "I know – I know this was your home. You should help them."

Anakin lowers his head and nods. "Thank you," he murmurs, stepping forwards and pulling Obi-Wan into a sudden, unexpected hug, one which Obi-Wan returns.

"I imagine that Padme will soon be setting things up here," Obi-Wan comments, glancing around as unobtrusively as possible. He's seen much of the city, and it's so starkly obvious that this is the slave quarter. The roads here are smaller, dirtier, an almost tangible sense of hopelessness permeating the air. He wonders which structure housed Anakin and his mother, but he doesn't ask. Some things are too personal to revisit.

Anakin laughs softly. "Probably," he agrees. There's a peacefulness to him now that's been lacking for a long, long time, and Obi-Wan is suddenly overwhelmed by gratitude that they came back. He could get used to Anakin being like this: calm, settled, at peace, as opposed to being conflicted, off balanced, and wound-up.