episode eight — GARDENS & REVELATIONS attack of the clones
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Anakin awoke that morning, calm and collected. He sat on the veranda, overlooking the gardens in the back of the house, and the lake surrounded by the great mountains. Anakin meditated for a moment, peacefully lost in his thoughts.
The weather was warm, with the morning sun beating on his face — he was used to it. Every time the sun touched his tan skin, it felt like his home called to him in the wind blowing through the trees. He could not return home — his mother had died two years back, and he had no more home to return to.
Lillia ventured onto the balcony, still wearing her nightgown. "Anakin?" She felt bad for disturbing him, muttering a small "Sorry" and walking back to the door. "You can stay." He spoke, eyes still closed and facing the gardens. Lillia paused, turning back around to sit next to him, but keeping a distance. They still had not talked about yesterday — the moment shared underneath the waterfall.
They were both still nervous to talk about it, trying to hide it by burying it deep in their memories. The morning was calm, blissful. A light fog lingered over the grounds, bringing a slight chill to Lillia's bare shoulders. She shivered, goosebumps littering her skin. "Are you alright?" Anakin asked, still not peering a glance or opening an eye.
"What?" The woman asked, clearly confused on what he was asking. "You're shivering." He continued. Lillia looked to him from her place against the house. "You can sense that?" She asked — somewhat impressed.
"I can sense everything, those trees breathing down in the gardens, the water flowing in underground caves — everything." The Jedi breathed, still criss-crossed on the floor. "I am alright, just cold." Lillia confessed, her voice soft, not too loud to disturb the delight. It was her first real day of being the Queen, she had matters to take care of — which would be a lot easier if she were in the capitol, but she wasn't. Anakin got up, taking off his cloak and passing it to Lillia. She softly looked to him, grateful of this gesture. "Thank you." She spoke, earning a "Mhm" from Anakin.
"Has the bruising stopped hurting?" He looked to her neck, it looked semi faded, but still extremely noticeable. "It hurts to speak." Lillia stated, looking to him. "We will find out why they wanted to hurt you, I assure you." Anakin added, he noticed her drifting slowly from the world — perhaps she was still tired from her rest the night before, but something about her just felt so lifeless in the moment — so still.
"It just felt so strange, so different." Lillia trembled, fidgeting with her hands in her lap. "How come?" Anakin was a listener, he wanted to know everything that she needed to tell. He was there to protect her, but also to be a friend — someone she could talk to. "The man," She paused, stuttering for a moment.
"He just held so much strength against me, I felt stupid, powerless." She did not know why she was telling him this, but something had overcome her. "And then when I had killed him, it made me feel worse." She looked out to the gardens. "He caused me pain, but I could not even spare his life." Her eyes became glassy, shining in the sun like the pearly layer of a shell.
