“The shadows bring the starlight.”
──✶spring awakening starters
"You need not speak in poetics here." Lest they were trying to impress someone, the 212th didn't engage in pleasantries and gentle words. At the beginning, the entire ship had relentlessly followed protocol—logged their every move, spoke in clipped and to-the-point facts, and treated rank like a holy symbol—but the longed the war raged on and showed no care for them, so too did their care for it shrink. Obi-Wan was no exception and most days, he had no idea whether he was fighting for right or wrong, he was just fighting to keep his men alive another day.
"You already have my men's approval." Though, approval might have been a strong word. He'd once recalled Commander Cody referring to her as an opsec nightmare. But Padmé was a warrior and one of few senators who was not afraid to be speak boldly about corrupting and bringing an end to all the fighting, so she'd earned plenty of their good graces. "And you'll have it even more if you speak to them without that Coruscanti mask."
It was one Obi-Wan was familiar with himself: the faux smile, steady tone, and perfect posture. It was the battle stance of the senate floor, but one only brought to the Negotiator with unfamiliar dignitaries or unwelcome guests aboard. He didn't think the senator was either.
"You'll find we're not too different from the 501st, at least not for humanitarian efforts." Which, fortunately, their trip was. There were few lines Obi-Wan was not willing to cross, but one of them was escorting civilians through battle zones, not only for their safety, but for the safety of his crew. "Though, perhaps less exciting. I still have no idea where Anakin gained his penchant for running after danger and shiny objects."
