You know who you are.

[ihateflying]

The last time he saw Anakin was before he'd left for Upatu to fight Grievous. He'd told Anakin he was proud of him.

He'd survived his troops turning on him.

He'd survived the return to the temple to change the recall beacon.

He'd survived seeing the security footage of Anakin leading the army into the temple and the destruction and slaughter that had happened there, if barely.

He'd survived his fight with Yoda, against Palpatine - if also, barely and with the acquisition of some new scars.

After that - he hadn't exactly run, and he hadn't particularly hidden. It was more that he stopped wearing particularly recognizable Jedi clothing out of necessity and drifted because he had no... person or place to hold him in one spot.

His avoidance of the Empire and Inquisitors was a thing that was done but done almost passively. Avoidance of, not fleeing from. He didn't get the impression anyone was particularly after him - probably assumed he was dead with the rest.

Certainly the Inquisitor who finally caught him seemed to have no idea who he was, beyond Jedi. Except - he was still alive and sitting in a holding cell with a collar around his neck and hands cuffed - in front of him - rather than dead.

He didn't ask questions. He particularly didn't ask why. He just closed his eyes, tipped his head back against the wall at his back, and waited without much concern. Not so much acceptance or peace as not having any particular reason to care.

Comments

[starsignited]

Vader had not actually sent the Inquisitors after Obi-Wan or really any Jedi. He preferred to personally hunt them down for the most part, but his attentions kept getting divided.

Suspicions constantly surrounded his wife and her loyalties to the Empire. To a point where in an almost obsessive turn, he did his best to keep them as far apart as possible. Padme and the children in one of his protected fortresses and away from Palpatine and the rest of the Imperials. It was probably only the small part of 'Anakin' that still survived that drove desire to keep them away from it all.

Not that he'd ever admit to that.

However his plans were short lived with their disappearance. In almost blind rage he sent the Inquisitors out to find her -- despite reservations from the Emperor. If not for Vader's ability to manipulate plans on his own, an order for her execution as a traitor no doubt would go out.

He was surprised, however, when word came back that they caught a Jedi.

Vader decided to see for himself and perhaps thought killing one would appease sate his rage. But as soon as he got close, it actually made him pause.

Obi-Wan.

Millions of emotions slammed together as one creating an inner storm that Vader didn't know he was capable of feeling.

It took him several moments before could finish his approach to the cell and step inside.

"Many thought you were dead."

[ihateflying]

He did not expect that.

He did not expect Vader to talk into the room and into his cell. His own emotional response was a complicated mix of betrayal, anger, hurt, grief, guilt, regret, and relief.

The relief wasn't for his sake - he wasn't delusional. It was such a strange thing to be even a little glad to see him and see him safe. It didn't even make any sense, but it was there, with the rest.

It took him a second to find his voice. "But you didn't?" Believing he was dead would be the obvious conclusion.

[starsignited]

"I would have felt it if you died."

He never really ... cut himself off from that. He always knew Obi-Wan was out there, somewhere. He just pushed those thoughts to the farthest parts of his mind and choose to ignore them.

Of course the dark side having it's hold on Vader meant his thoughts also twisted into other ideas. As he stared at his former master, he wondered if he were somehow responsible for Padme's disappearance. Did he take her away? Would that have been possible?

Would the force have brought them back together otherwise?

[ihateflying]

"Yes," he agreed, tiredly, and leaned his head to the side so his temple rested against the wall of the cell. He'd never cut off his end of the bond, or even thoroughly blocked it. He hadn't wanted to, really, and it wasn't as though it were more than background noise, particularly for him and his relative lack of power - though also likely not for either of them with distance.

Without distance he could more or less follow the emotional ... gist of Vader's thoughts, but he didn't understand it. It confused him and worried him for reasons that were only related to Vader in as much as he was Vader. "What's wrong?"

Specifically. Everything is wrong, generally.

[starsignited]

Everything was wrong. Obi-Wan being here was wrong. Vader kept his thoughts to himself for awhile as he started pacing -- considering.

"Where is she? Did you take her?" His tone was that of a demand. He wanted to know. He needed to know.

He somehow managed to keep his anger in check and not lose control. If he had to he would kill Obi-Wan if it meant finding her again. His pacing quickened much like an animal walking in front of his prey, and in a sense that was certainly true.

[ihateflying]

It was very much the pacing of a predator. Some sort of large cat, and it was...

It was more familiar than he'd like to admit it was, at least some of the energy behind it. Much, much darker, much more anger, but that barely contained energy and need to move?

He knew that.

"I have neither seen nor heard from Padme since before I left for Upatu." It was absolute truth for all the good that would do him. But no whe was worried. For her.

[starsignited]

"Your lying." The twisted part of his mind that failed to see reason screamed at him that was the truth. The Force however said the opposite.

His pacing continued back and forth, but he did not lash out. He was just trying to figure out things. Obi-Wan being here made everything complicated. This was not who he wanted to find, but it was who he did.

[ihateflying]

"You'd know if I were lying," he said, watching the pacing. "Especially at this distance."

He watched the pacing, but he didn't move. At all.

[starsignited]

Obi-Wan was completely right. The Force confirmed his words. Vader hated it.

He did stop his pacing, however.

"Then it is very unfortunate for you to have been found. I've made it my personal mission to eliminate the remaining Jedi."

[ihateflying]

"I am well aware." He sighed and let his eyes slide closed. "The end result of that would be the same for me either way. I am sorry I can't tell you where she is. I know how much you need her."

To be at all himself.

[starsignited]

With that Vader practically lunged forward to almost get directly in Obi-Wan's face.

"You don't know anything. Don't speak as though you know me at all."

There was a point where, given the chance, Vader might have asked Obi-Wan to join him. Join his side. But not as a Jedi.

Right now? He actually had no idea what he was going to do with him.

[ihateflying]

What he could feel through the force was pretty damned muted - not entirely cut off, when it came to Vader - but muted.

Being lunged at, having Vader in his face, and furious?

That was a jolt of fear and adrenaline that took him from eyes-closed acceptance to wide-eyed, back against the wall he'd been leaning against and bolt upright.

"I won't deny that I don't know you." Who he'd known wouldn't have done... this, but. "I just know you love Padme. If I knew where she was, I would tell you. That's all."

[starsignited]

Had Kenobi known her location, everything would be so much better. He'd at least then have a clue to her whereabouts.

Now?

Now he was left with two problems. Finding her and deciding what to do with Kenobi.

He stepped back. For as much as he wanted to scream at Obi-Wan and call him a liar, he knew that wasn't true. That managed to frustrate him.

"You aren't lying about knowing her location, but you wouldn't have told me."

[ihateflying]

That managed to worry him on an entirely different level. It more than worried him; it alarmed him.

"I would have when I believed something happened to her. She didn't get taken. She ran from you."

[starsignited]

"No. She wouldn't do that. I was protecting her. She has no reason to run."

He had almost turned around before, but Obi-Wan's words triggered anger from inside. He spun around to grab his former Master by the throat and pin him back against the wall. He wasn't actually making the move to choke him at least, though there was clear hate in his eyes.

"Don't say things like that. I'm not your apprentice anymore. You can no longer fill my head with lies or your half truths. She would not have left me."

[ihateflying]

There wasn't much outward reaction from him, because he was him, but there was no real denying the fear rolling off him and into the force or how fast his pulse against Anakin's fingers were.

"You're no longer my apprentice - or Anakin - but Anakin is who Padme loved, Vader."

[starsignited]

Part of him took a certain degree of delight in Obi-Wan's fearful reaction. Part of him was conflicted about it. And part of him just wanted to walk away.

None of those feelings would solve any of his problems though.

His grip became tighter at mention of his former name. Anakin had to die with the Jedi. Only Padme got away with saying it anymore.

Obi-Wan was not allowed to bring it up.

"She loves me."

[ihateflying]

Well, Anakin had certainly found a way to shut him up. Because while Obi-Wan could still breathe - sort of, vaguely, with effort - he couldn't do it well and he sure as hell could not talk.

And that kicked him up from being afraid to panicking, though he managed to not turn the feeling into action. He had to work to keep his hands down, though, because the instinct to claw at Anakin was intense.

[starsignited]

Vader being annoyed that Obi-Wan could not respond back in this situation just sort of gives him another shove into the wall before releasing his grip.

This was getting him no where. As far as he was aware Padme hadn't fled to Naboo or any other place that came to mind. He checked those out first.

"I should kill you right now."

And then move on. But something held him back. Perhaps part of 'Anakin' he hadn't fully purged from his being. He was full of conflict and his former Master being here brought forth nothing less than a whirlwind of emotions.

[ihateflying]

He coughed for a second, and caught his breath as best he could.

"I'm surprised Sidious didn't demand you track me down and kill me months ago."

He wouldn't be surprised if Vader killed him now, but -

Just but.

This wasn't even Anakin. It was Vader.

And his feelings about this all could roughly be translated to a lot more heartbreak than fear. Fear, sure, but way more heartbreak.

[starsignited]

Obi-Wan being this close meant his emotions were far easier to pick up on and that further went to cause conflict within him. As much as he wanted to snuff those feelings out, he also couldn't bring himself to for some reason.

"He doesn't even know I have you."

It was a simple statement but it also said just so much.

[ihateflying]

"How long do you think it will be, before he does?"

He didn't... want to let Anakin go, but he was also afraid of him. It was serious conflict even within him, though without the tension and strain and internal struggle Anakin had.

[starsignited]

"Awhile. He does not know everything I do." He doesn't know what Vader is doing now.

As Anakin he learned a lot about keeping secrets, as Vader he's learned even more. Though making sure those working with him were loyal directly to him and not the Emperor was not always the easiest task.

[ihateflying]

"Well, that's a relief." It isn't sarcasm. That is a relief. He's probably going to die anyway but if he is, he'd really much rather Anakin kill him.

[starsignited]

"You could join me," Vader said but only after several moments of staring at Obi-Wan and considering his options.

"It is the only way you will live through this."

As he does both need and want to eliminate the Emperor. The Dark Side's allure of power never felt so strong. He needed that power almost as much as he needed to protect Padme and his family.

And if he takes out Palpatine he can safely do as he pleases.