Inheritance

Required Assistance

Obi-Wan relaxes the fists suddenly clenched at his sides as he releases a slow and steady breath. He is far from calm, but he is at least closer to the appearance of it. He takes a seat by the Sith-forsaken desk. Anakin leans against a bookshelf. Neither man says anything, the silence between them growing heavier with unuttered truths. Finally the mutual disquiet is interrupted by another chime at the door. Without any consultation, Anakin waves the portal open inviting the Korun Councilor inside the tiny sanctum. Mace notes Anakin's presence with a nod.

"Skywalker," he says, his rumbling baritone as mellifluous as summer thunder. Anakin politely nods back. Mace then turns his attention to the room's owner.

"The Council has received your... request," the Councilor states, a trace of irritation in his voice. Anakin looks to his former mentor for insight, but Obi-Wan offers none, simply nodding an acknowledgement to the master's statement. Anakin turns to Mace.

"What request?"

"He has asked for the Force collar to be removed permanently," Mace intones. Anakin straightens from his relaxed position.

"I thought if the collar were removed,"

"I'd turn into a dangerous, dark-sided lunatic? Yes, I will," Obi-Wan completes for his former student. "My request proposes several appropriate precautions to protect others from,"

"You," Anakin finishes, returning the interruption. Obi-Wan nods acknowledging both the gesture and the statement.

"Yes," he answers simply. Anakin throws up his hands in exasperation at his former mentor's ridiculously calm demeanor. The Korun Councilor, however, is not frustrated so easily.

"Permanent removal of the Force collar is tantamount to a death sentence," Mace pauses, a single condemning eyebrow raised. "But I suspect you already know that."

"Master Che was very forthcoming in providing me the salient details, yes," Obi-Wan answers with apparent aplomb. Now, it is Mace's turn at exasperation, but unlike the Knight he doesn't show it, choosing instead to maintain his display of Jedi calm.

"Obi-Wan," he begins, his tone unusually softened, his manner entreating. "I understand what you are going through, the loneliness, the... unnatural emptiness of every moment, but it is endurable," Mace ends knowing that his words are far from comforting, but hoping they are at least somewhat salutary. With a shake of Obi-Wan's head his fleeting hopes are quickly dashed.

"With respect, Master Windu," Obi-Wan starts, his formal appellation not escaping Mace's notice. "You were imprisoned when you were forced to wear a collar. You needed only to survive in it. What you and the Council are asking, what all of you are asking," he says his gaze moving to encompass Anakin as well, "is for me to live in it. It is something I cannot do."

"Suicide is not the Jedi way."

"But acceptance of harsh realities and acceptance of death is," Obi-Wan counters. "Please, do not fight me on this."

Mace opens his mouth to say something, but promptly closes it upon a moment's secondary review. Instead he sets his jaw tightly, his traditional scowl returning to his stony features.

"The Council will consider your petition in tomorrow's early session," the Councilor informs his fellow icily. Both Jedi bristle at the master's cold intonation, but neither speak. Mace opens the door and steps into the corridor, but pausing.

"Skywalker, a word," he growls. Relunctantly, Anakin follows the master out knowing his compliance is not only expected, it is required. Finally alone again, Obi-Wan releases a breath he did not know he was holding. He stands and, quite attentively, crosses back to his window, condemned to merely look upon the vibrant dance of life to which he is no longer a partner.