[hiatus] ¹ 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 ━━━ star wars.

𝗩𝗜. medicine.

medicine.
━ CHAPTER SIX,
strangers can teach lessons a friend cannot.

ANAKIN WAS SAYING GOODBYE TO HIS FRIENDS AS ESME AND QUI GON WALKED DOWN THE STREET. The two stopped in the middle of the street, turning to look back as Anakin ran to catch up. He slowed down to a walk and Esme can sense his sadness, can see the tears in his eyes as he moved past them. The young princess frowned and began to walk again.

Esme walked next to Anakin while Qui Gon stayed behind the two, observing his surroundings. The young duo walked in silence, minds racing. All Esme could think about was how Anakin had to leave his mother, how she had to leave her mo—aunt. She had to leave her aunt. She had to leave her aunt and it was in no way, shape, or form the same as how Anakin had to leave his mother. It wasn't the same. Anakin's mother meant more, now he's motherless. Esme supposes she's always been, which is why she cannot be upset. She never had a Mother.

but you do have an aunt. or is it did? because you left her, Esme. you left her. she has no one.

Qui Gon ignited his lightsaber and cuts a droid—probe droid—in half, shocking Esme out of her reverie.

"What is it?" Anakin's voice sounded far away despite the fact that he was right next to her.

"Probe droid," Qui Gon spoke, his voice echoing inside Esme's head. "Very unusual . . . not like anything I've seen before." He turned around quickly and said, "Come on," before running off. Anakin turned towards Esme and grabbed her hand, making sure she was behind him as they made their way to catch up with Qui Gon.

The trio ran for what seemed like hours, when in reality it was probably only a few minutes. The Naboo spacecraft was so close, it was right there, and Esme had never been more overjoyed—"Master Qui Gon, sir, wait!"

Esme and Qui Gon turned to Anakin, the young princess frowning when she saw how tired Anakin truly was. She had let go of his hand on the outskirts of town because she had deemed it safe to do so. Anakin had his hands on his knees and Esme was about to make her way to him to make sure he was okay, and to see if he needed any water, when Qui Gon grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Anakin, drop!"

Esme squinted and as her mind registered what was coming towards them, she gestures for Anakin to hurry up and get up from off of the ground. She tunes Qui Gon out—she's sure he told them to get to the ship and tell them to take off—as she grabs Anakin's wrist and sprints the rest of the way. She needed to get to the ship, to get Anakin to the ship. What Qui Gon was battling, the clashing colors of blue against red, good against bad, with the dust surrounding them in their own bubble of fierceness, was nothing to joke about.

you have seen this color before, Esme. it surrounds you, suffocating you; your home planet is notorious for its colors of red and orange and harsh purples. but that's not where you've seen this color before, is it? you've seen it in the middle of the night, where you think you're safe, stood right above you in the hands of—