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SLEEP was uneasy that night, and Araminta woke early and with heavy eyes, pushing through it to do her usual morning routine, as if nothing had happened. As if Anakin hadn't tried to strip her security from her, as if she hadn't looked deep into herself and hated what she saw just hours before.
She couldn't even bring herself to feel angry, not that morning, just a pit in her stomach where his words had sunk in. She had spent all night rolling over them, until she had fizzled out her anger and only felt numb. She was good at that– acting as if she had never been in pain and she was untouchable.
Octavian would've been so proud of that, but not much else.
The sunrise was beautiful that morning, dancing dreamily through the regal halls and chambers of the house, casting golden glows throughout. But Araminta couldn't appreciate it, only wishing to be done with her post and back to actively protecting Obi-wan. Watching Anakin pine for the senator who was more likely to go for the third wheel was grating on her, now more than ever.
Araminta had planned to try and get into contact with Obi-wan, try to get herself out of there. But as she walked throughout the halls, trying to find a private place away from all the servants, she knew he wouldn't take to it. She knew her place– she was an assassin who followed his orders or else she would get punished. He wouldn't believe her, or take her seriously, and she knew that.
And as she turned a corner, she saw the culprit of that, drenched in pink light from the sunrise as he stood shock-still on one of the many balconies, simply gazing out to the lakes.
Araminta swallowed thickly, knowing he sensed her presence, but knowing he wouldn't say anything, as she turned away. Amidst her sleeplessness, she had heard him crying out in his sleep. Another nightmare, worse than she had ever heard them, and she hated the part of her that had felt bad. She shouldn't care about his suffering or his nightmares.
"We're leaving," he said, abruptly. Araminta paused, not turning to look at him, as he kept his back to her.
She bit back any comments, about how sudden the decision was, the question of whether she was included in that "we" or not, or about how surprised she was that he actually talked to her.
Instead, she remained silent, and she heard him turn to her and take a few steps forward at her lack of reply. She didn't want to talk to him, she wanted to remain silent and exit the mission as soon as she could. She wanted to escape the living reminder that was Anakin Skywalker. But she couldn't, because as with so many things, she was a slave to survival.
Araminta finally lifted her eyes to his, shrugging. "Okay."
Anakin's face shifted, in a way that told Araminta he wanted to say more, but the assassin already knew he wouldn't as her keen ears heard someone approaching. She glanced over her shoulder to see Padme, who looked at the other girl warily, and Araminta picked up on her nervous body language immediately. Something had changed overnight.
