Chapter Text
Imma get back to this... I fully acknowledge this biased POV. Enjoy?
Obi-wan walks with her through the halls. There’s a familiar fire in her eyes that he finds endearing. It’s always there when she’s getting ready for an impassioned speech. Her posture is straight, arms swinging delicately besides her and her gait steady yet it’s her eyes, he remembers, that always give away her intentions. They cross through archways until they reach a courtyard. The guards still walk behind them. He sees more Mandalorians in the distance and decides now is the time to aggravate her into speaking. He needs this to be public so the news will spread to the other clans. He hopes she’ll forgive him for the deceit but then again she’s been playing her own games since he entered the atmosphere.
He makes a show of looking around and begins, “You’ve built peace Satine.”
“Thank you Master Jedi. The past efforts of those who truly seek out the betterment of a world are what you see today” she replies as she delicately cradles one of her lilies.
He levels her with a dour eye, “Indeed.”
Slights against the Jedi Order still seem to be her favored riposte. Perhaps his compliment could have been seen as a slight. Honestly she could have at least veiled her attempt better. It seems a different approach is needed.
“It’s a great feat. As Duchess you have reformed what it means to be Mandalorian.” He makes sure there is a slight inflection in his voice when he uses the epithet of the past Mand’alor.
Her eyes narrow slightly but it seems she hasn’t caught on. “Of course. The archaic way of living in a sick paranoid existence, constantly looking for an enemy damaged our people. We saw imagined enemies in our own families. It was barbaric to rely on battle instincts that repeatedly proved useless in a galaxy that relies on diplomacy.” Her eyes harden as her eyes rest on his lightsaber. “Our armor became our cage, our families blind to suffering , and our resources and bodies preyed upon by your Republic as we became more and more entangled in civil wars.”
It’s raw and heartfelt. The entire courtyard is entranced. Satine speaks her truth. Her dedication to Mandalore is evident in every sentence and right now he is a threat.
Obi-wan had forgotten how often she would glance at his lightsaber when they were together. He wonders when it became a source of resentment for her. It hurts that she’s always seen this trained part of him as unnecessary. Still, he acknowledges this and casts it aside because even now as she flays him apart, Satine is dazzling.
He can’t help but be enamored by her skillful words. She has taken his challenge to talk in the courtyard and used it to her advantage by reciting her ideals and goals. He is surprised that this early on in the past he can see the idea of the Neutral Systems at play. Maybe it was always a part of her grand plan. She labeled the Republic as power hungry scavengers, defined the Jedi as undedicated bringers of false peace, brought attention to the need for past warriors to seek mental help, and declared a will to remain a united people at whatever costs necessary even if it means destroying their culture. It boosts her image to the regular citizens she doesn’t often come into contact with. They will spread her message. He has become a platform for her. It’s incredible that others still see her pacifism as a disqualifier as king when she is trying to create her own empire. Satine truly is the rightful Mand’alor.
But now he must expose her weakness to the masses so others can use them against her. Obi-wan feels like a betrayer and he hopes his eyes show the sincerity of his guilt for what he is about to do.
“I have noticed however that even those among those with which you keep counsel still maintain their paranoia of war. And even more worrying are the ones that hide their armor in the shadows. I have spoken with them and they all agree that your image of Mandalore is temporary. I must agree with them. Yes, your world is peaceful Satine and your people will never forget how it feels to prosper and live without fear but war is coming. You are being targeted. There is a Dark presence in the Force that-“ Satine has turns her back to him. He pushed too far.
“Jedi.” She lets the title hang in the air. It looks like the games are over. “From the moment you step foot on Sundari you have slowly brought chaos,” she says slowly as she eyes his Jedi garb. The irony is not lost on him. “I invited you as my guest given our past. I allowed you an audience and listened to your request for aid and shelter for an unknown group of unknown size in a possibly distant or possibly close future.” She takes a deep breath to try to reign herself in. It works. For a brief moment it works- and it burns that he uses their passion against her but… but as she turns towards him once again... her eyes flash in anger. “You still hold your lightsaber. Still hold yourself by ideals that you constantly question. And there have been rumors...There was hope in me that you had returned for amnesty. That the role you see yourself holding in this galaxy was one by my side and yet the only boon you seek is that for another that you claim to be of my own. I have now lost my patience. Speak clearly for whom you seek refuge and cease your games Ben.”
“Duchess. I seek refuge for Mandalorians fleeing the Republic.”
“Any man or woman that once rallied against the Republic or the Hutts is not striving for peace and therefore not a Mandalorian. They have brought enemies upon themselves. I will not help them because they are not my people. “
Weakness one, the Duchess declares what is a Mandalorian.
“They are enslaved Satine. They need safety and guidance. I will fight their enemies, take all responsibility, all I seek of you is a safe haven for them to finally rest. They don’t seek war, they seek peace.”
Weakness two, freedom from suffering by using violence is wrong.
“If you fight for them Ben then you enslave yourself to an endless war. And if they fight with you in this war then they are not welcomed here.”
Weakness three, anyone associated with or assists those who use violence are in the wrong.
“And what of the children in their care! Are they not worthy of peace?”
“Any man or woman Obi-wan! A child does not hold the consequences of the parent.”
Weakness four, tenets of the old culture are still used.
“Jango Fett is currently providing them shelter and training”
“Enough. I understand. If the children vow to lay down all weapons and armor then they will be accepted”
“Thank you. There is...one other complication-“
“Of course there is. What could possib-“
“They’re clones. The children are clones of Jango Fett.”
Final weakness, anyone associated with past Mand‘alors and their ideals are not welcomed.