Inheritance

Simple Confusion

Anakin shifts his stance as he gives his fellow Jedi an incredulous snort.

"You really expect me to believe that?" he asks. Obi-Wan shrugs.

"You expect me to believe you're the Chosen One?" Obi-Wan replies as he takes a moment to stretch his legs before standing.

"Alright," Anakin says leaning forward a bit, disbelief still broadcasting clearly over his expression. "Let's just say that I believe it, that this mystery Jedi is some "vessel" of the Force. Why keep her hidden? Why all the secrecy?"

"Think Anakin," Obi-Wan says as he effortlessly slides into master mode with his former padawan. He crosses one arm over his chest, the other rests under his chin. "A single being with that much power would be a magnet for... beings with less than compassionate motives."

"You mean the dark side."

"Indeed, but there is another reason. Being so attuned as she is, it makes her... unstable."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute," Anakin interrupts as he steps closer to his friend. "The Vessel, the Voice of the Force, the woman you're hoping can fix whatever it is that's happening to you, you're telling me that she's kriffing crazy?"

"Language, Anakin."

"Priorities, Master," the Knight quickly retorts. Obi-Wan's hands drop to his sides.

"She's not crazy. Quilan, for example, he's crazy. Nai'gia is... delightfully and frustratingly quirky."

Anakins raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with Obi-Wan's distinctive wordplay.

"Quirky? Jedi typically don't come in 'quirky'."

"Well, Nai'gia is not your typical Jedi and may I point out, neither are you."

Obi-Wan watches carefully as Anakin mulls over the new information. He sees the young Knight's jaw clench and his blue eyes narrow slightly. Obi-Wan knows that stubborn expression all too well.

"Absolutely not," he answers peremptorily.

"I didn't ask anything."

"But you were about to and the answer is still no."

"Even with that kriffing collar on you're still a real son of a Hutt, you know that!" Anakin snaps, but the look on his former master's face makes him instantly regret his words. Obi-Wan's hand absently touches the cool metal of the collar. His expression loses the vitality it displayed only moments previous showing now only a dull, joyless slate; an amalgamation of shame, sorrow, and resignation. His gaze drops to the floor. Anakin's anger quickly seeps out of him.

"Master, I'm sorry. I-I... didn't mean..."

"It's alright, Anakin," Obi-Wan answers without looking up. "Anakin, it would be imprudent, I think, to have what are possibly the two most powerful beings of light in the same room. It is yet another reason she is not often at the Temple," he pauses. Obi-Wan releases a long sigh and looks directly at his former padawan. "Despite my current circumstances, I am still a member of the High Council and a Master of the Order. I can order you to stay away, but I would rather just ask you to trust my judgment on this."

"Fine," Anakin grumbles reluctantly. He may be frustrated, he may even be angry, but Obi-Wan knows that Anakin will obey him in this... though he will undoubtedly gripe about it over the next few days.