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[neverjedi]

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[neverjedi]

Obi-Wan had not managed to stay out of an inhibitor collar by reaching too deeply or obviously into the Force. He hadn't cut himself off from it, but he was discriminating in when, how, and why he used what little he had learned.

Mostly, he used it to stay alive and to try to teach Anakin a bit. So that, ideally, Anakin could stay alive in those kriffing pod-races.

He wasn't aware Anakin was approaching and excited. He was aware that there was someone with him. He had no idea who was going to walk through the door with him.

He was talking to Shmi and helping her put food together when Anakin and company arrived. He turned in the direction of the door just as it opened. One look and he recognized Qui-Gon and in that second he flashed through relief, happiness, and then straight to betrayal and anger.

A second, maybe two, and then he shielded as well as he could. "I am and it looks like you're bringing home more strays."

He was still staring - glaring really- at Qui-Gon. Shielded in the force but openly hostile in expression.

[justasmallfry]

Anakin laughed, and missed everything because his mind was on all the various things he could show Padme, his projects, the skills he could do... he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his room, R2 and Jar Jar followed.

Leaving only Shmi to notice the change that came over Obi-Wan when he saw the man.

Shmi was a kind woman, but she was no stranger to the cruelties of people. She didn’t assume Obi-Wan felt what he did for no reason, she’d known him long enough by now to earn her loyalty. Obi-Wan was her friend here and peer. Which was also at the heart of why she could do nothing. Her rights as a slave, Obi-Wan’s rights, and Anakin’s rights especially, did not equal this strangers rights as a free man.

She did the only thing she could do and that was minimize the tension as best she could - and as a slave, it was a skill she was long practiced at. As she slipped passed Obi/Wan further into the kitchen, she subtly squeezed his arm. She was still here for him if needed, but Obi-Wan was free to pretend other was. There was no other way to give privacy in such a small space.

Of course, all this did not escape the observant eye of Qui-Gon.

Ever since he’d landed on this planet he had felt something in the Force. Not anything dangerous or they wouldn’t have taken the risk. Just a familiarity that was curious but long ago set aside on his part so he couldn’t quite place it. They had a mission to complete and if the Force granted him time to figure out the puzzle of this feeling, he would take it, but it wasn’t an urgent feeling, not strong enough to make him deviate his course.

Not until the door opened.

It would seem patience with the Force had brought him the answer.

There were many things he could say, clearly there were things he should say, but he saw the constraints of time. What will be will be.

He went with a simple greeting, “Hello, Obi-Wan.” There was no pretending after that greeting that they didn’t know each other.

[neverjedi]

He appreciated Shmi's discretion and grace. It was something he could only hope to someday achieve a fraction of.

Today was certainly not going to be that day.

He didn't so much as blink at that greeting, though after another silence just long enough to be obvious incline his head slightly.

"May I take your cloak?"

Perfectly soft, measured, and polite and appropriate for his station - but he was still ... furious.

[justasmallfry]

It wasn’t as if Qui-Gon couldn’t tell Obi-Wan was upset to see him, or that ‘upset’ was too kind a word for what feelings were stabbing at him in the Force.

But from Qui-Gon’s perspective, there was no other way but through.

They each had their reasons for their choices, and Qui-Gon had long since processed his feelings on the matter. And had let them go. What his former Padawan chose to do with his feelings - oh Qui-Gon certainly had his opinions about that - but Obi-Wan was no longer his charge to instruct. Which made those feelings none of his concern. Plus, he was focused on the task of transporting the queen to Coruscant.

The fact that Obi-Wan just happened to be here was curious, paths crossed as the Force willed it. But until such time that the Force revealed why, this was ultimately irrelevant to the mission.

“That won’t be necessary,” he said, dogging the barb in the offer.

“Is there any way I can be of assistance?”

[neverjedi]

"As a matter of fact there is," he said, evenly. "You can get Anakin and his mother off this foresake rock. When you've completed your mission, of course, though ideally before his force abilities are discovered."

[justasmallfry]

Qui-Gon was rarely caught off guard.

This was one of those rare moments.

Anakin had extended him and his party a generous offer, but truth be told, if the sandstorm hadn’t rolled in, Qui-Gon would not have thought about the boy long after leaving the junk shop.

That the boy was Force sensitive had slipped his notice.

That wasn’t what surprised him. There were many individuals throughout the galaxy that the Jedi missed, especially in the outer rim planets where people lacked the health care system the Jedi relied on to locate new Force sensitive infants. It was a sad reality, but reality nonetheless.

No, Qui-Gon was taken aback by Obi-Wan’s bluntness and request.

“Where would you have me take them? They’d have no place at the Temple.”

[neverjedi]

Qui-Gon could be taken aback by whatever he liked.

"His mother is a competent adult. I am quite sure she would like some input into that decision. I am not suggesting you take him to the Temple." His voice is mostly flat, but there's something a little harder coming in around that last sentence, then gone again. "You are mobile, free, well respected, and armed. Rescue the kid and his mom. Or give me a line of communication to the Council and I will make the arrangements myself."

[justasmallfry]

“What do you think that would accomplish?” Qui-Gon asked. “You no longer have any standing in the Order by choice.”

[neverjedi]

"I no longer have any standing as a person, which was not by choice but was the direct consequence of my own decisions." That he...still doesn't really regret, actually. He's still mad as hell, but that isn't the point, either. "Anakin and his mom didn't do anything to deserve this. This is a place slaves go to die and he is a child - who still needs his mother. Jedi are supposed to be compassionate. You're dragging around one stray already so I know you are still that. Help them."

[justasmallfry]

"Obi-Wan, you do not know the nature of my current mission. I do not have the resources with me to accomplish what you are asking of me even if I had the time to devote to this request." He didn't have the resources necessary to accomplish even his own mission.

[neverjedi]

"I'm not asking you to do anything right now. I am asking that you do something I remember you doing very well and, when you've finished whatever Jedi business you are on, that you go the the Council and, if necessary, argue with them about doing the right thing."

He's not even flinching anymore, he's just determined and tired and feels... surprisingly old, all things considered.

[justasmallfry]

Qui-Gon certainly had always hated the fact that the Jedi turned a blind eye to the pockets of slavery that thrived in the Galaxy. He didn't agree with Master Yoda that sometimes, for the greater good, some had to suffer without their consent. He'd butted heads with the Council on more than one occasion about this.

Obi-Wan was right about that.

However, that didn't change his circumstances.

"At the moment I cannot even leave the planet," Qui-Gon said. "Making a promise now would be short sighted." He changed tactics. "We are currently all stuck here under one roof, arguing will get us nowhere."

[neverjedi]

He lets it go - for now. Not being able to leave the planet is a problem and--

Well, powerlessness is a thing to which he has become accustomed to.

There is a more immediate issue, though.

He waits a beat to make sure Qui-Gon is finished talking and-. "I can, with some help from the Force, make it through the storm as far as my... accommodation." It was a shack and effectively a closet, but. "I am going to go bring what supplies I have there. If nothing else I can supplement food, water, and add a few blankets so you and Anakin aren't left any more lacking than can be avoided."

[justasmallfry]

Qui-Gon was relieved when Obi-Wan let the topic drop. It just made everything easier for, in Qui-Gon's opinion, everyone all around.

And thinking the matter was calmly put away, and that making it through the night was the focus, he offered, "Do you need any help?"

[neverjedi]

"No."

He pulled his sleeves down from their rolled up position, and headed out the door. He'd be gone for probably fifteen minutes then back with additional food, water, and blankets - and sand driven into his hair and clothes, but that was hardly unexpected.

He simply took it all to Shmi and got busy helping her get food on the table. Silently.

The storm outside, however, got much, much worse while they did.

[justasmallfry]

When Shmi poked her head in to tell them dinner was ready, Anakin jumped up without any more prompting. Truth be told, he was perpetually hungry, so eating was always something he looked forward to. Even if they had to leave C-3PO for a bit.

Completely unaware of the triangle of tension between the adults he sat down and took servings of food and passed things around as they were put in front of him.

He picked up talking where he'd left off in the other room.

"I'm going to finish Threepio. I just have to wait for parts to come into Watto's shop that he doesn't want or won't see missing so he won't get mad. But I know they'll show up some day."

Padme, more adept at noticing people, was instantly aware something had happened between the three adults while she was in the room with Anakin and Jar Jar. She was also wrapping her mind around the reality of something she'd previously thought impossible.

She figured the least she could do was thank Shmi for her hospitality. "Thank you for putting us up for the night, Ms. Skywalker. You and your son's generosity is much appreciated. And yours as well, Mr. Kenobi. You didn't have to help us. I know it's an imposition."

[neverjedi]

"Please, just call me Obi-Wan. I have as much autonomy as the table, the honorific is a little weird." It's said gently, though. He's not trying to make her feel bad. He likes her. She seems sweet. He just can't with the mister, even if he recognizes it as manners.

It's been a really emotionally rough day, "and I know we're all very glad to be able to be of any help and I know Anakin's been having a good time." Which is important to him.

[justasmallfry]

If Anakin understood a few more of those words, he'd blurt out that they were all still people, first. But all he caught, finally, was a sheen of that awkwardness hanging between everyone.

Padme however saw an opportunity.

"Forgive me if this is too forward, but may I ask a few questions about the situation on Tatooine?" She looked to both Shmi and Obi-Wan for approval.

[neverjedi]

"You may ask me whatever you'd like." Both because he couldn't stop her and because he didn't particularly mind. "As for timing-- Shmi would be the better person to ask that question."

Does she want Anakin sitting in? He isn't sheltered, can't be, but still- she is his mother.

[justasmallfry]

"That depends on the question," Shmi said. There was a lot Anakin could hear, it was useless to try to hide the realities of Tatooine from him no matter how much she - or Obi-Wan - may want to.

Padme nodded, understanding the reason for tact. But she also wanted to be as direct as possible. Thus far in her short time as being queen - not that anyone knew that right now - she'd learned that people read too much indirectness as minimizing their experiences.

"It was my understanding that slavery was outlawed in the Republic. But it seems to be thriving here. Is the Republic not trying to address this oversight?"

[neverjedi]

"Tatooine is by far the worst, likely because there is little other economy to speak of and it is so remote, but it is far from the only place the slave trade exists within the Republic." That needs to be said, since the question was asked. It deserves a complete answer.

"As for the Republic attempting to address the oversight-" He snorts. "I believe they have decided that sometimes individuals must suffer for a greater good." Yes, yes, Jedi reasoning being thrown out there. "Not worth the economic fallout or potential war, but that is little more than a guess. I was not much older than Anakin when slavers found me. I knew little of politics then and I know less now."

[justasmallfry]

"We're too far out and Tatooine has little the Republic needs for them to devote resources for us," Shmi added a bit more illumination.

"We're just not a priority."

Anakin had fallen quiet while the adults spoke, he understood now a little bit more what everyone was saying.

But now he turned towards Qui-Gon. "Are the Jedi here to save us?" he asked innocently enough. "I saw your lightsaber- only Jedi have those," he added proudly, like he'd solved a puzzel.

[neverjedi]

He nods slightly at Shmi, to add a little more weight to her statement - though that statement covered a lot.

Then to Anakin--

Well that hurt and it showed a little in his expression and tone, but he answered it. "I think Master Jinn may try to get you and your mom out of here once he's able to leave the planet and finish his important business. But it's important to remember that the Jedi are defenders of the Republic, so he might not be able to."

[justasmallfry]

Qui-Gon was just about to interject to explain the weren't here to address the issue of slavery - thanks Obi-Wan.

But Anakin's face lit up and he just jump right to excited talking.

"Really? You are going to get us out of here? This is the best day of my life. This is better than winning a podrace! Where would we go-"

"Anakin-" Shmi tried to quell her son's enthusiasm and shot Obi-Wan a look. She knew he had good intentions and she knew the game he was playing here. But Anakin didn't deserve to get his hope up.

But Anakin kept right on talking until he reached a logical question. "And Obi-Wan, too?"

[neverjedi]

He expected that Qui-Gon would feel the pressure of being considered a hero by a small child and the implication that he was a republic pawn to apply even more. That was the game. Anakin completely leaping over the caveats was not part of that plan.

He got up from the table - after sliding his plate to Shmi in a subtle way. He wasn't hungry and resources were limited, save it, eat it, or get it into Anakin - and moved around to where Anakin was. He turned the chair around and then crouched down in front of it, and offered the boy both his hands, palms up.

"Anakin...." He started, then stopped to try to forget the other people at the table. "Qui-Gon is a good man and I know he will try, but he is only one man - even if he has a light-saber, and Jedi don't always have a lot of freedom either." Then, quieter, and with eye-contact over Anakin's shoulder to Qui-Gon for a moment: "I chose to leave the Jedi. They aren't going to help me and they shouldn't." Then back to Anakin. "But it is really, really important to me that you get out of here with your mom."