Office hours [all day]

[sith_happened]

Anakin, as usual, was in his office.

Today he was sitting on his floor practicing his meditation skills.

It only looked like napping. Really.

The door was open and soft Alderaanian music was coming from his ridiculously tricked out stereo.

Comments

[trigons_child]

"When I met him he told me that he had personal reasons for hunting demons," Raven said. "And Sam confirmed for me that his mother had been killed by a demon. So I do not blame his father for wanting to find the demon responsible, but vengeance is a terrible waste of one's life."

[sith_happened]

Anakin knew that better than most. "It really is," he said vehemently. "But it's a very human reaction to pain."

[trigons_child]

"An understanding of which I learned in the other Fandom," Raven agreed. "My other self was already unbalanced by the time I took control of her actions. In the dreams I had before I was transported there, I could see that I was learning to thrive on the pain and followed after those with vengeance in their hearts."

[sith_happened]

"In my galaxy, that's what Sith--the opposite side of the credit from Jedi--do," Anakin said. "They thrive on anger and pain. And nothing good ever comes of it."

[trigons_child]

"I know that far too well," Raven said. "You saw what happened to me there."

[sith_happened]

Anakin nodded, looking a little haunted. "I'd rather not repeat that, please. No teacher should have to face a student like that."

[trigons_child]

"I have no wish to ever be in a position such as that again," Raven said, shaking her head. "Or to cause you any grief or pain."

[sith_happened]

Anakin waved his hand at the second part of the comment. "Better me than someone else," he said quietly. "I know a bit of what it's like to have that kind of rage inside."

If by "a bit" he meant "exactly."

[trigons_child]

"You have struggled with it in the past as well?" Raven said. She didn't want to push for details, but she was extremely curious now.

[sith_happened]

"When I was your age," Anakin said with a nod, "but I didn't mention it to anyone. That was a mistake."

[trigons_child]

"I have to wonder if it was fate or coincidence then that had Joan guide me to you," Raven mused. "So that I would not do the same."

[sith_happened]

"Very possibly," Anakin said. Stupid fate. "And I won't let you do the same. My experience was not a happy one."

[trigons_child]

"I hope I will not disappoint you," Raven said. "And it is good to see that whatever choices" -- she didn't want to call them mistakes -- "that you made in the past, your life now is a good one, is it not? You have a wife who it is plain you care for deeply, and a beloved child as well."

[sith_happened]

And a life in exile in a different galaxy. Anakin had made his choices, all right. He smiled. "Three children," he corrected. "The timelines get a little confused. I have a son and daughter living at home."

[trigons_child]

"And grandchildren as well," Raven said, nodding. "And the respect due a teacher of your wisdom and skill." She wasn't trying to be a shameless flatterer, it was just how she felt, really.

[sith_happened]

Anakin gave her a wry smile. "I'm not sure about how much wisdom I have," he demurred.

[trigons_child]

"You have helped me a great deal," Raven said. "And for that I will always be grateful."

[sith_happened]

"You listen," Anakin said. "I never did that."

[trigons_child]

"Perhaps because I was told constantly from an early age what a terrible danger I could become?" Raven said. "Or perhaps simply because you are a better teacher than your own instructor?"

[sith_happened]

"I was told that, too," Anakin said, admitting something he very rarely brought up. "I was initially denied access to the Jedi Order because I was too old."

[trigons_child]

"You were told you could be a danger, yet they were not willing to teach you to control your abilities?" Raven said, puzzled. "Forgive me, but that does not make sense. Would the other Jedi rather have your powers grow unchecked or allow you to be influenced by another? Azar taught me so that if my father found me I would be able to resist his will. If she had not, I would not be able to defend myself from him at all."

[sith_happened]

Anakin shrugged. "It's possible to be a Force-sensitive without being Jedi, and without their training, I would probably have not be so powerful."

Or gained the notice of Palpatine, but details. "It's in the past, anyway. I was allowed into the Order after they realized that the Sith were back."

[trigons_child]

"Were you angry then because they had refused you at first?" Raven said. "If you do not mind my asking...."

[sith_happened]

"It certainly didn't help," Anakin said after a moment. "I always felt like I had a little more to prove than the rest of the students."