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

[sith_happened]

And he wouldn't dream of asking. Anakin pursed his lips. "So your father could use the same tactic."

[trigons_child]

"Possibly?" Raven said. "It was not a prolonged or violent reaction. It was...." She struggled with how to word it. "It was as if he had poked my demon side with a sharp stick and made it glare at him, if that makes sense. I did not enjoy it, but I did not feel in danger of losing control."

[sith_happened]

"And there's no way to counter it?" Anakin checked.

[trigons_child]

"Not any that I am aware of," Raven said, "but yesterday was the first time that I had ever had the word used upon me."

[sith_happened]

Not that Anakin had problems with smiting demons who needed it, Bel, but just in general, well, he viewed them as kind of a different species rather than automatically evil.

"Let's avoid having that happen again," he said with a small smile.

[trigons_child]

Somewhere in California, Bel felt a phantom poke.

"Sam said he would not use it against me," she said. "And he agreed that it might be wise to avoid his father. But as long as I give him no reason to suspect what I am, I should be safe."

[sith_happened]

Anakin nodded. "John's a reasonable man, but some habits are hard to overcome initially."

[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."