Office hours [all day]

[sith_happened]

Talking with Ben was as effective as beating his head into a brick wall, Anakin reflected sourly, especially if he tried to turn the subject to what his grandson had up to while he'd been home. He'd gotten much better with a lightsaber in the intervening time, and if Anakin were a talkative man, he would have pointed out how much that worried him.

"You wished to speak with me about something?" he asked Ben as he sat down and gestured to the other remaining chair.

[OOC: For...myself. Open after!]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

Ben's lips quirked up. "So that one you'll give me, huh?"

[sith_happened]

"I've heard what you did with zombies," Anakin said, inclining his head. "That one I'll give you. The final trial is the Trial of the Spirit, and is generally considered the most difficult. You look inside yourself and find if you're strong enough to be Jedi. I...didn't like what I saw."

[momslilassassin]

Ben frowned. "So you didn't pass your final trial?"

[sith_happened]

"Liking what you see isn't required," Anakin said. "Only looking. I was a very stupid young man and didn't want to admit I had weaknesses, even to myself."

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave a little shrug. He knew who he was, good and bad parts. It was only now that it occurred to him that this might make him unique among his family members.

"After you passed the trials, what happened?" Ben asked.

[sith_happened]

"Then there was a knighting ceremony in the Hall of Knighthood. The Grand Master and the eleven other members of the Council would attend," Anakin said. "That's when your braid was cut off." He leaned forward to flick Ben's braid. "It was the only possession you ever really had."

[momslilassassin]

"Well, that's depressing," Ben commented. "The complete lack of possessions, I mean. I don't have a lot, but it's mine."

[sith_happened]

Anakin shrugged. "I didn't need anything. I could walk away from everything in this office tomorrow and not miss it."

[momslilassassin]

"Are you planning on it?" Ben asked, getting a little paranoid. Everyone seemed to be leaving.

[sith_happened]

"My wife is eight months pregnant and my grandchildren are here," Anakin said with a small smile. "I'm not planning on going anywhere. Breathe, Ben."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm fine," Ben said with a little scowl, battening up his shielding again.

[sith_happened]

"Of course you are," Anakin said blandly. "That's why your shields could double as hull plating."

[momslilassassin]

Ben's scowl grew deeper. "Back off, Granddad."

He took a deep breath. "Please."

[sith_happened]

Anakin watched him for a long moment. "It was that bad."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "I have to go now," he said, standing up and fleeing for the door.

[sith_happened]

"Ben, wait," Anakin called. "Luke?"

[momslilassassin]

He relented just a little bit. "Still alive," he said. "So's Jaina, and Leia, and Uncle Han."

He bolted down the hallway before Anakin could ask the logical next question.