ezra_of_lothal | Folkmore Inbox

She’s from our galaxy and she knows me. Like you, a much older me.

I don’t know. What do 10 year old girls need?

Oh? Did she say how?

That's too young for puberty to be a thing, right?

Apparently I rescue her from kidnappers at her father’s request.

[Oh Force he hadn’t even thought about that.]

I think so? Maybe?

Edited 2023-10-07 02:01 (UTC)

[At her father's request. Not on a mission. Not in the war.

What are the odds? Except, there's a definite tilt towards one convoluted family tree, in places like this, in his experience.]

Organa?

I'll get some toiletries and linens together. We can figure out more later.

Yes. How did you know?

All right. I stopped to get her something to eat. We will be there after that.

I know both Senator Organa, and Leia - although not at this age.

And I know a little about that particular adventure, from Ben.

Oh. Well then you know more about her than me.

[Somehow not surprising.]

I'd say sorry to upstage you, but I have a sneaking suspicion that's impossible.

[Skywalkers. Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's used to it.]

But her being here raises a couple of things should talk about, when we have a moment of privacy.

[He's feeling a little squirrelly about typing it out on the network.]

Nothing bad per se. More like, I know some things that I'm pretty sure she doesn't.

[Per se. Learning about his future seems to be a never ending process.]

Does it have to do with me being old and dirty?

[Yes that is something she said to him. But in all seriousness…]

I just want to make sure she’s taken care of. Whether that means she stays with us or we find someone else who can better look after her.

Edited 2023-10-07 03:58 (UTC)

Huh. Guess she hasn't learned much diplomacy yet.

Of course. Wherever is best for her.

[Although at the moment the only person he can think of who might be better qualified is Din Djarin.]

She’s 10. It seems her interests are more in the line of exploring and getting into trouble.

In this place, trying to figure out what’s best might not be easy.

[This is the moment his heart lurches, wondering what seeing Luke and Leia Amidala grow up to toddlerhood and beyond, together, might have been like.

That path is closed to him. Be here and now.]

You're not wrong. But for today, at least, we're what she's got. We can figure it out together from there.

All right. Sounds like a plan.

Edited 2023-10-07 21:57 (UTC)

[Later, when he thinks Leia is well occupied with settling in, Ezra jerks his head towards the back balcony, and waits until he can close the door back to back inside behind them. He pitches his voice low.]

So here's the most relevant thing, I think.

She's Force sensitive. And I'm near certain she doesn't know that. [His gaze darts to meet Obi-Wan's eyes, and try to gauge Obi-Wan's reaction.]

[Getting the signal, Obi-Wan glances back in Leia’s direction before following Ezra. What he has to say though makes him pause and blink in surprise.]

What? … Really? How do you know?

[He certainly hadn’t sensed or noticed anything.]

[Ezra opens and closes his mouth, visibly struggling with how to explain.]

If...if you ask Rey who's taught her anything of the ways of the Force, Leia will be on that list.

Her family by blood runs very strong in the Force. I've met Leia's children, too.

[Theres a long pause from Obi-Wan as he looks at Ezra with a blank expression.]

What do you mean? Who is her blood family?

[He stares off in the far side of back porch for a moment, debating.

But if anyone can help him figure out how to navigate all this, it's Obi-Wan, right? He sighs heavily and refocused on other Jedi.]

Padmé had twins. Both...blindingly bright as newborns. Master Yoda and Master Kenobi decided it would be safer to split them up.

Ben took Luke to Anakin's family in Tatooine. Senator Organa took Leia. I'm not sure if maybe Master Yoda did something to, um, help Leia stay hidden. Maybe. Kanan and I certainly didn't notice anything, aside from strength of personality, when we did a mission together. Leia and I were both sixteen.

[Obi-Wan takes this all in with the calm and serenity that is expected of a Jedi. At least outwardly. He breathes in slowly, and then turns away, his hands gripping the rail of the balcony as he looks off in the distance. His mind screaming.]

I see.

[Ezra stays quiet a moment.]

I completely understand the reasoning that it's safer that she simply not know, back home.

But what are the odds something doesn't spark her reaching for the Force, in a place like this? Or that she doesn't pick something from us, or other Force users around, or even tries to imitate someone else with their own abilities?

[A part of Obi-Wan just wants to cover his ears and ignore all of this. But that’s not the Jedi way. It’s not the responsible way.]

I know. You’re right. She needs to be taught.

[Then he turns, a glimmer of panic in his blue eyes as he looks at Ezra.]

She needs a master. But… I can’t. After what you’ve told me? About what happens to Anakin? How could I teach his daughter? She deserves better than what I can offer.

[Immediately-]

Leia is not Anakin. She has been raised mindful of her duty to her people. She hasn't had a Sith Lord feeding her worst impulses, in secret.

[He raises a hand to brush along Obi-Wan's arm.] It wouldn't just be your job. She will have me and Cal, as well.

Anakin had the whole blasted Order! And then he killed them!

[As soon as that snap comes out of his mouth he regrets it and shrinks back with a wince.]

I’m sorry. I know she’s not. But it’s not her abilities that I’m doubting. I’m not ready for this. I wasn’t even ready for Anakin.

Patiently, Ezra replies, "He did have a whole Order, and maybe you should take that as a sign that the failing was not truly yours, or at least not yours alone. Anakin-"

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, "Anakin, from what I saw, was afraid all the time. Afraid of loss. And afraid of himself. He would not let himself be loved, not truly. He mistook Palaptine's...flattery for the unconditional part of love, and eventually stopped being willing to put in the real work to live up to the trust people put in him."

Obi-Wan goes quiet again, his expression softening as he looks down. Ezra has a good point. That didn’t quite stop the anxiety bubbling up in him, but it helped. He takes a moment to breathe and then nods.

“You’re right.”

Another pause as he looks up again.

“Why did he feel that way? Surely he wasn’t unloved.”

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

later----> action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject