we're in ruins || sass-queen-and-company
"Anakin, you know I'm not supposed to tell you this. But I know this is important to you, so… I was outvoted by the rest of the Council upon proposing a vote to expel her. She will remain a Jedi for the foreseeable future."
Anakin clenched his hydrospanner with shaking fingers as he twisted a bolt on his starfighter's hyperdrive into place. Rage spotted his vision yet again, and finally, he couldn't focus any longer. He scooted from under the ship, pulling to his feet…
…and then slamming his mechno fist into the hangar wall next to him. For a moment, the Knight leaned into the dent it had left, then turned so his back was against the wall as he sank to the floor.
Her. Barriss Offee: Jedi Padawan. Healer. Traitor to the Republic, the Jedi… and Ahsoka Tano.
Anakin flinched at the thought of his apprentice, screwing his eyes shut and letting the hydrospanner clang to the floor. She'd left the Order only a week ago, after being accused—framed for—bombing one of the Jedi Temple hangars. Everyone but him and seemingly Barriss had betrayed her, abandoned her… and it all came to a head when she'd finally been captured, expelled from the Order and put on trial before the whole galaxy.
And now the Jedi Council had the audacity not to right their wrongs. To not make sure Barriss got the fate she so nearly ensured was Ahsoka's—
"…Anakin, are you alright?"
The Knight's head snapped up to see Obi-Wan Kenobi standing above him, and his former Master's words from earlier sounded in his head.
"She will remain a Jedi for the foreseeable future."
Negative emotions surged up in him again, but Anakin jumped to his feet, searching Obi-Wan's blue eyes. "Master, the Council, did they reconsider—"
"No, Anakin." Obi-Wan reached out to lay a hand on the Knight's shoulder. but when Anakin shied away he let it drop back to his side. "They didn't, as much as I implored them to. But…" He hesitated. "There was a meeting earlier this evening, just after you stormed out your quarters. They have made a decision. One that concerns you."
Anakin regarded the older man warily. "What is it?"
"They have forbidden you from visiting Barriss Offee in prison." Obi-Wan heaved a sigh, folding his hands behind his back. His gaze was sad for a moment, but then he blinked and it was back to concerned. "Apparently, it's for your sake more so than hers, but—"
Anakin scoffed, and he crossed his arms over his dark robes as he turned to face the wall. "Like I want to lay eyes on that traitor after everything she's done." But that was only part of the truth—he may not have wanted to hear a word out of Barriss's mouth, but he wanted answers. Wanted to know why she had done what she had, even if the reasons were sick and twisted as their owner. "…what prison is she in? Coruscant Women's?"
Obi-Wan seemed to buy into his casual tone. "In the same military base Ahsoka was held in. I think Poggle the Lesser is there as… well…" He stopped for a long moment. "Anakin…"
"What?" The Knight shrugged, turning back around. "Just… curious."
Obi-Wan gave him a pained look. "I understand the situation with Ahsoka has hurt you in ways no one can begin to imagine, but please. Don't do anything reckless."
"As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing more reckless than almost getting an innocent teenage girl sentenced to death." Anakin sucked in a ragged breath, anger and pain bubbling up within him, so close to spilling over. "Or pushing her away from the only life she's ever known."
"You're right," Obi-Wan conceded quietly. "But what is done is done, Anakin. Ahsoka has made her choice, and now you must decide whether or not to respect that choice."
That was just it. Anakin did respect Ahsoka's choice, he understood it perhaps more than anyone else. She had the courage to go through with something he had only ever contemplated, to wipe the words of the past off the slate of her life. His heart held no resentment for her, only hatred for those who had let her down. The Order, the Republic…
Him.
Anakin didn't reply to Obi-Wan, pushing past the Jedi Master and stomping out the hangar.