"Hello, Anakin," Ferrus said, smiling broadly and openly.
But following his gaze, Ahsoka saw that Skywalker was now heading straight for them, and the expression on his face was as angry and almost malicious as Olin's was kind and cheerful.
"Hello to you too, Ferrus, hello, Master Tolm," he nodded briefly to his arriving companions.
"We dare not waste any more of your time, Padawan Tano," Ferrus said ceremoniously, and before Ahsoka could figure out what was going on, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Then both men nodded to her and slowly turned away.
Togruta silently looked at her right hand, which still retained the warmth of Ferrus' lips. She was not used to such treatment and, unable to think of anything better, wiped it on her dress. She glanced over her shoulder at Anakin. His face was darker than the blackest night. His eyes were almost flashing lightning, and his lips were twisted in contempt.
"Dinner is ready," Tano said quickly and a little fearfully.
Then, taking one of the plates she had prepared in advance, she quickly filled it with stewed meat and handed it to Anakin. He stood and did not hurry to take the plate, silently staring at it with a heavy gaze that contained everything that had never been there before: contempt, anger, resentment, and something else that Ahsoka could not quite put her finger on. But it was clearly more unpleasant than pleasant. Then he looked at the flowers that were still covering the neckline of her dress. Now that the Togrut's breathing had quickened with excitement, the bouquet began to bounce slightly on her chest.
"You know what," Skywalker hissed through clenched teeth, "I don't know where you were after the Order and what you were doing, but as long as you live with me and take care of my children, don't even think about your old profession. And I don't want to see any men near you anymore.Padmé, hearing this about herself, would have fainted, but Ahsoka... Her beautiful eyes flashed with anger, and, reaching him in almost a single bound, she literally threw the plate at Skywalker and, turning around, ran into the house, not forgetting to close the door behind her.
Ahsoka's throw had always been strong, and even a long absence from training had not changed that. The plate hit him squarely in the ribs, miraculously without spilling its hot contents. Rubbing the bruised spot, Skywalker sat down on the porch and began to eat the meat. He could hardly taste it and swallowed without chewing, but with every bite he took, his anger diminished.
"She's so disgusting," he thought of Tano. "She's been hanging around me, and not for the first time. And as soon as she had the nerve to dress up in that skimpy dress and start flirting with a man. And with whom, his long-time rival!"
Ever since his apprenticeship, Anakin had hated Ferrus, and now he realised he had been completely right. But what about Ahsoka? It wasn't enough that she had mocked him before, now she had struck him where it hurt the most. Tomorrow she would be gone from his house. He could think of something else for the children. And anyway, if she loved them so much, she could take them with her. There would be fewer memories and fewer reasons to be angry with them for his wife's death.
"I see you're not as quick-witted as I thought," Shaak Ti's voice came from above Enakine's head, and her tall figure gradually emerged from the red veil of anger before his eyes. "Have you eaten? There's enough meat for tomorrow, since only one of you ate it.
As she spoke, Shaak washed his plate and wiped it with a towel hanging over her shoulder. Anakin said nothing, but nodded awkwardly in response to her words.
"So I was right to be mistaken about your mind," the Togruta continued in the same voice.
"Why is that?" Skywalker managed to say, which was exactly what Shaak Ti wanted to hear. She immediately seized on his words and spoke indignantly:
"The Force itself cares for you. It sent you the one who cares for your children after your wife's death. Luke and Leia would have been long gone if it weren't for your apprentice, whom you now refuse to speak a kind word to!
"Kind? — Anakin flew into a rage, jumping off the porch, not caring if anyone heard him. — She's completely shameless! She shows herself off to anyone who's willing to look! She walks around in that vulgar dress, catching the lustful glances of men!
"If you're talking about Ferrus, I saw what happened," Shaaq replied calmly. "He was the one who approached her and started talking to her, not her. As for the dress, we didn't have any other clothes. The clothes she was wearing when she was found were so tattered that they weren't even fit to mop the floor with.
"No matter how she looked, she was clearly better than what she's wearing now, because that dress is falling apart at the seams," Anakin spat contemptuously, clasping his hands together.
Shaak Ti smiled knowingly, reading in his words what he himself probably didn't suspect, but he was too worked up to understand the hints and therefore replied with his usual response:
"She's a rude and insolent prostitute, and I don't want to share a room with someone like her.
These words finally wiped the smile off the Togrutta's face. Her face took on a fierce expression, and grabbing Anakin by the shoulder, she turned him sharply to face her, their heights being almost the same, and looking him in the eyes, she blurted out indignantly:
"Where did you get that idea? Why are you judging someone without even getting to know them? Think about the education given in the Order, and you'll see how Asoka has preserved it. Have you seen how she talks? How she walks? How she eats? And think about it, could someone who has absorbed these skills really go astray? Anyway, Skywalker, I think you're getting too carried away and placing too much emphasis on morality. Isn't what a person is more important than who their parents were? Perhaps the Tano family is even better than all of us, and the fact that she got into trouble by getting pregnant by a dishonourable man could happen to anyone. I bet you didn't run off on holiday to see Padmé just to hold her hand!
Anakin's lips pressed into a pale straight line:
"Padmé wasn't like that," he croaked hoarsely.
Shak Ti smiled. Both at what he said and at the tone in which he said it.
"Every woman is like that when she's with the one she loves," the Togruta said flatly. "And if yours was different, then I sincerely feel sorry for you.
"I'm not going to listen to this," Anakin said, turning away.
Shak Ti knew what to say. She had long understood all of this man's feelings and could see clearly that he was simply devouring himself from within, and she knew why. Mace had agreed with her yesterday when they discussed the situation over dinner, after sending the children out to play in the field.
"I'm not here to speak ill of the dead," she said much more gently. "I'm here to remind you that no matter what Asoka was and how you feel about her, she saved your children's lives. Padmé's children, if that makes you feel better. And today she wanted to make you happy by responding kindly to your welcoming her into your home. And what did she get in return? Another Jocasta, just as hurtful and stubborn when she doesn't need to be. Look, Asoka is holding back for the sake of the children, but her patience is not unlimited. You know the saying, "Beware the wrath of a patient man"? Exactly. She could lose her temper and refuse to help. So, Skywalker, if I were you, I would at least apologise!
And, having spoken her mind, Shaak Ti turned and walked away. Anakin stared silently ahead. He poured himself the rest of his coffee and began to watch what was happening around him. The clearing in the middle of the camp was gradually emptying. The senior Jedi were retreating with their apprentices to impart their teachings, while others were finishing their chores. They approached Anakin, trying to strike up a conversation, but he responded curtly and monosyllabically, making it clear that he was not in the mood to talk. His companions attributed this to depression over the death of his wife and fell behind Skywalker.
The evening was quiet and warm. A light breeze rustled the branches of the redwoods and oaks surrounding the camp. Anakin understood that Shaak Ti was right, seeing the root of the problem. He understood, but he didn't want to agree. For he was simply outraged by the fact that he had taken in the living proof of his imperfection: as a mentor, as a man, and as a husband. A living reminder of what he wanted to forget most. Instead of spending sleepless nights, hiding from everyone, like a precious treasure, thinking about what her lips felt like on that one night...
***
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