His Guiding Star (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

Chapter Ten

Talia had gone out dancing, not just to clear her mind, but also to find a lead. She'd noticed how antsy Anakin was getting, and had decided to do something nice for the boy. And, you know, hopefully prevent his future fall to the Dark side. Honestly, he needed therapy. 

Anyway, she'd met Malimo at the club, scolded him for not calling her, and silently congratulated herself on finally checking out that wealthy area that they'd passed the day before. Malimo had promised to call her to figure out a meeting, so now Talia was waiting on him for that. She hoped he'd get back to her soon, or she'd have to start coming up with creative ways to keep Anakin calm and occupied.

She still wasn't sure about having to work with the Jedi, but she certainly wouldn't make a fuss. They had bigger things to worry about than that. It felt weird, though, to be treated with respect and empathy by even one of them. Perhaps she'd simply got used to suspicion and cruelty. It was unjust, sure, but what use was trying to change things?

Talia took a sip from her mug, savouring the smooth, sweet taste of the coffee as her mind sharpened, her body rising once again from exhaustion. She knew she was pushing its limits today, a habit she'd learned back when she was a Sith apprentice, on the occasions when her mind refused to be silent. She'd push herself until her body shut down, allowing her to finally sleep. Milo had always scolded her for that, saying that she'd injure herself, as if they didn't suffer anyway. Thankfully, the soft murmuring of a voice in her ear usually helped. Good thing she had Theo and Zoe.

"I thought for sure that would break you."

Talia glanced up from her injury to find Theo and Zoe hovering in the doorway of her room, their eyes fixed on the lightsaber wound across her midriff. She gave them both a crooked grin, turning away to pick up the bacta spray on her bedside table. 

"Only the first day of it." The first day without him. It already felt like a thorn was lodged in her heart, and she couldn't get it out. Force, she was in for a ride. 

"What's it like to lose someone that close to you?" Zoe asked hesitantly. Talia set the spray aside, taking out a bandage next.

"You grieve them every day. Some are worse than others. It never stops, really, you just learn to deal with it." 

Zoe moved to her side, taking the bandage from her hand as she slowly began to wrap it around the wound, making sure it was on the loose side. Theo remained at the door, watching them with haunted eyes.

"Then what's the point in going on?"

"Years ago, before all these cities, all humans fought to survive. We clung to life, doing anything we could, just to survive another day. We killed. We fought. We bit and scratched and clawed. The human spirit is strong. People forget that," she laughed, her voice bearing no humour in it. "I guarantee you, a lot of them would crumble after just ten minutes of what we've been through. They can't cope with suffering. It's harsh, but it's true. We're stronger because we've suffered. That sounds fair enough to me."

Zoe frowned at her words.

"What about the Jedi?" She tied the knot loosely, making sure the bandage didn't put pressure on the wound. Talia watched her hands work, cold indifference in her gaze now.

"They don't care for us. They never did." Theo lowered his head in despondent acceptance. Zoe's gaze snapped up to meet hers, hazel eyes widening.

"You said they'd help us."

Talia sighed, too tired to keep going. It wasn't a physical pain: it was emotional, which was somehow worse.