sith_happened | Office hours [all day]

Office hours [all day]

Anakin was putting the final touches on his grades (and despite Jaye's influence, was not giving any of his students a Keen+). He was very carefully not thinking about all of the students who were graduating on Saturday.

Repression: not just a coping tactic, but a lifestyle choice.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Well," she said, taking a breath, "we're almost definitely going to war again, I'm out a military career, Jacen's turning to the dark side and I don't have the slightest clue how to get Ben away from him."

And that wasn't even everything. She'd skipped the family politics stuff.

Anakin closed his eyes and held on more tightly, at a loss of anything to say.

"There have been better months," Jaina stated.

"Pretty much," Anakin murmured, not letting go just yet. "Asking how you are is kind of pointless, huh?"

"Uh huh," she agreed. "I'm just trying to figure out the next step. I don't have the first clue what it is."

Besides 'go home.' She was not looking forward to that part.

"Take care of you first," Anakin said, "and remember to breathe, step back and think. When I was, well, you know--" turning to the Dark Side and killing a bunch of people, "I wasn't taking that time. I was only reacting, and that ended catastrophically."

"I haven't been able to do anything but thing. It hasn't gotten me anywhere," she admitted, pulling back.

Anakin let go and flopped back into his desk chair, then scrubbed his hands through his hair. "What's your most immediate concern?" he asked.

"Ben," she replied. "But there's not much I can do there. Luke's not happy about Ben following Jacen around, either, but aside from talk about my concerns- which I've done- nothing's up to me there."

Anakin cursed under his breath. "The one here isn't going to take this well either, is he?" His eyes were full of sympathy when he focused back on Jaina. "I'm sorry. This is going to be slow and painful."

"It is. It helps that I knew it was coming. Easier to prepare that way."

Sure it was.

"I think the most I can do right now is make sure people know what's happening, and that I'm not an idiot about any of this stuff when I can help it," she said.

Anakin gave her another little look. "I knew it was coming with Leia, too. It didn't make it any easier to prepare for."

He tapped his fingers on the desk. "Has Jacen made contact with Lumiya yet? Because there's a difference between a Dark Jedi and a Sith--one's a lot easier to work with than the other."

"With who?"

So, obviously, she didn't know a yes or no answer to that.

"His little Sith friend," Anakin replied, making a face. "It's not exactly a correspondence course."

"Huh. If he has, I don't think anyone's noticed yet."

Though she'd be calling Luke so fast when she left here.

"It might be something to watch out for," Anakin advised. "Mitigate the damage Jacen may cause before you can thump him out of this stupidity."

Tell her how you really feel, Anakin.

Like she wasn't thinking that herself.

"And if he has made contact?" she asked.

"Kill her," Anakin said softly.

"I don't know that I can take out a Sith," she said honestly.

Which was a problem when you were supposedly destined to do just that.

"I can help you with that part," Anakin said, looking baldly relieved about having something to contribute. "In fact, it's probably not a bad idea to talk to some of the other teachers here about getting some non-traditional combat skills under your belt, just in case."

"I know. I don't have a lot of time, though. I have to get back after graduation," she said. "I can maybe take an extra day or two."

"You're a fast learner," Anakin said. "Hit some of them up at graduation--maybe they'll have ideas."

She nodded, giving her another thing to do on the mental to-do list.

"Got some time to train this weekend, then?" she asked.

"I'll find time," Anakin promised, nodding.

"Thanks," she said. "I wish I had happier stuff to tell you."

Office hours [all day]

NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB