The Countess ━ OBI-WAN KENOBI

Chapter Two

By afternoon, Leilani walked around with her second lightsaber attached to her belt, escorting Anakin towards the council room, as Qui-Gon asked her. But only after a swift detour, so the boy could say goodbye to one of Queen Amidala's handmaidens. She smiled when he requested as so; observing how smitten he was with a girl called Padmé — but nevertheless, they didn't find her there.

Anakin was...lost and enamoured at the same time — as the woman drove the speeder with ease. Never did he see so many buildings, all in different sizes, shapes — nor this many people, from around the galaxy, different species yet all living in considerable peace here. Yet, if it weren't for Leilani, he would've got lost in the Senate building and the Temple too; so despite his curiosity and want to stop in every second to observe yet another fascinating object or construction, he followed her obediently. After all, he was in a foreign place, far from home and with only the woman to guide him — so he clung to her with all his might.

Then, they finally reached the Council chamber, with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon already waiting outside and ushering Anakin in.

"Hey, Ani, you'll be fine," Leilani murmured, her fingertips grazing lightly over his shoulders. It wasn't that Anakin appeared particularly scared; in fact, his demeanour exuded a quiet resolve. Yet, despite his outward composure, Leilani felt an unspoken need to offer reassurance, a subtle gesture born of instinct and empathy.

The boy responded with a nod, his gaze steady as he prepared to step through the threshold of the Council chamber. With a sense of purpose, Anakin disappeared beyond the towering doors.

Left standing in the hallway, Leilani watched as Obi-Wan silently departed too, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors, with only a fleeting glance passing between them.

"I do...apologise for Obi-Wan's behaviour," Qui-Gon justified as he noticed Leilani's lingering gaze on his Padawan's now distant form. "He's been on edge, in the past few days especially."

"You don't have to make excuses for him; duty and the pressure have an effect on all of us — now seemingly more than ever. Everything feels upside down, the Senate, the Republic and now this public invasion on Naboo, too. It feels out of place, wrong, corrupt. We all sense it, as a disturbance in the force — yet we both are aware that's not what his manner is influenced by," she sighed. "He is masking being hurt behind stoicism and snark glances."

"You know him well."

"I used to." Emphasising made it become all too real, shameful, even — and the thought of it subconsciously urged her to lower her head.

"If It does offer any help; I don't think that he does remember. He is rather seldom crossed, not knowing why but acting on it all the same."

"Perhaps he just takes pleasure in it," she remarked. "But the fact is, that I remember and even if it was a while ago, it still halfway haunts me."

Qui-Gon took the moment to plant his palm on her shoulder, nudging her body closer, almost enveloping her in an embrace — but rather just cautiously stopping inches away.

She looked at him again, attempting to straighten her posture, before continuing; "Be as it may, it has helped me, it taught me...and after all, it was the will of the Force."

Qui-Gon smiled. "You're getting wiser by every day, *lysara."

"Truly, it's all thanks to Dooku and you, **vor'kesh." The words rang true in Leilani's mind as she reflected on the years they had spent together, bound by bonds of kinship and Jedi duty. In the intricate tapestry of their lives, Dooku had been the influential figure, a guiding presence who had shaped her in ways she could scarcely fathom. Yet, Qui-Gon... Qui-Gon was different.