Reaction was always a constant quality of any Jedi. Quick, able to understand what was happening in a split second and ensure the right behaviour in any situation. It was instilled in all adepts of the Order from early childhood. Anakin Skywalker had it from birth, and it was thanks to this lightning-fast reaction that the young man, then still a boy, was able to win races. And later in life, her reactions saved him many times, allowing him to go through the war almost without a scratch. But sometimes they let the hero down. And, as luck would have it, that happened this morning, when he and Asoka, without a care in the world, were sleeping peacefully."Ahem," came the delicate cough of Master Yoda in the darkness. "I beg your pardon, you did not hear me knocking at your door..."
Only then did Anakin open his eyes and jump out of bed, frantically searching his belt for his lightsaber, which was not there. Ahsoka also woke up and, getting up, flew over to the children's bed, not understanding what had happened. At that moment, the whole situation finally dawned on Skywalker, entering his consciousness abruptly and without warning. And it was terrible. Therefore, unable to think of anything better, the man decided to vent his dissatisfaction on the one who seemed to be asking for it.
"Master Yoda, since when did it become your duty to barge into other people's homes without warning?" he hissed through clenched teeth.
"Ever since the unworthy ones appeared in our camp and the question of evicting them arose," came the reply in a shrill, squeaky voice that belonged, of course, not to Yoda, but to Madame Jocasta, who was already there.
"Kick them out? What do you mean?" Anakin didn't understand her, struggling to calm himself down and stop his heart from pounding like crazy.
"I'm sorry, but Madame Jocasta has made up her mind, and the others are already aware of her decision. They cannot allow them to continue living here," Yoda said with a heavy sigh.
"What do they mean, can't allow it?" Skywalker raised his eyebrows. Yoda was about to explain, but Jocasta quickly silenced him:
"I saw with my own eyes how those two slept in the same bed! How can I forgive such a thing? I saw it myself! Otherwise, the Force will punish me for this lie!
Ahsoka couldn't stand it and stood up resolutely, taking a step forward and defying the wicked old woman:
"However, it will happen, because you are lying shamelessly. After all, you couldn't have seen anything except two people lying next to each other on a bed.
Togruta was wearing only a shirt, with bare feet, and that certainly did not speak in favour of the innocence of the situation, but Tano did not care and continued unperturbed:
"I understand how it looked from the outside, but it had been raining during the night and the hallway was wet and cold. I myself suggested that Anakin come back, and unfortunately there was only one bed. But we just lay there, nothing more.
"There's no need to elaborate, my eyes remember what they saw perfectly well and know what it was," Jocasta replied dryly, pursing her lips in disgust.
"Yes, what could you possibly know about sleeping in bed with a man, Sith take you, Jocasta?!" Shaak Ti said menacingly, blocking the doorway. Behind her stood Mace, wearing only a washed-out blue robe and underwear. He was silent, but his whole demeanour made it clear how he felt about the situation and what Lady Nyu was up to.
"You have no children, and no man has ever been seen with you," the Togruta continued in the same tone. "The conclusion is that you are either just an old, jealous woman who, while condemning others, secretly dreams of sweet male embraces.
"I don't want to hear any of this filth," Jocasta grimaced in disgust, although her pale, wrinkled cheeks flushed with a telltale blush, and to divert attention from herself, she turned it to Yoda. "And you, Master, what can you say about all this?"
The elderly Master lowered his gaze wearily. He himself would very much like to believe that nothing terrible had happened. Especially since he remembered well how fiercely Anakin had protested against Ahsoka's presence in his home. And if that was the case, then he could hardly have viewed her as an object of desire. However, he was still a man, a young and very temperamental one at that. Therefore, he would hardly have been able to resist such temptation. Which meant...
"Anakin," he began almost hesitantly, "I could believe you, but understand me correctly. The others don't want this...
"No need to make excuses, Master," Anakin replied calmly. "I have no intention of staying where my presence is unwanted.
"Wait," Shaaq Ti stopped him, placing her calloused hand on his shoulder. "We really need you, Skywalker. No one is better than you at handling technology and weapons. We'll be lost without your help. And I personally think it's foolish to send you away just because you don't want to freeze in the cold. I would have done the same in Ahsoka's place.
"But, Master Yoda..." Jokasta tried to interject.
"Silence, old nag!" Master Windu barked rudely. Many of those present had never heard this emphatically correct and fair Jedi raise his voice to a senior comrade, let alone a woman. "Think about it carefully. Asoka gave birth to a child just a few days ago. Tell me, can she sleep with a man now? Is she capable of it?
Ahsoka blushed at these words and lowered her gaze so as not to see the scrutinising looks of everyone present. Jokasta, after them, slightly moderated her ardour, although she did not calm down completely:
"It means nothing to someone like her.
"Pain makes us all equal," Shaak said philosophically. "And anyway, there is another way out of this situation, one that is more dignified and correct: Asoka and Knight Skywalker should get married."
A ringing silence fell over the crowd, which was broken a minute later by two shouts.
"Yes, a Sith with two legs, I'll take her as my wife!" Skywalker spat out in extreme indignation.
"I have no intention of marrying anyone, let alone him," Ahsoka flushed with anger.
"I think this is too much," Jokasta croaked, losing face. "His first wife isn't even cold in her grave yet..."
In reality, she couldn't stand Padmé for her grace and beauty, and now, in the name of some supposed common good, she was willing to hide behind the image of the deceased.
"Master Yoda, do you think this option will suit everyone?" Shaak asked her boss directly, stubbornly ignoring the others.
"I think so," he said doubtfully, although, to be honest, he didn't understand much else besides the teachings of the Force. He had spent his entire life in the Jedi temple and knew almost nothing about the world outside, so he couldn't really say anything about personal life. After all, he had never been married or even close to a woman.
"And you, old justice?" she nodded to Jokasta.
"I think it's utterly shameful and immoral. I'll be giving their dwelling a wide berth from now on, lest I suffer psychological trauma or die of shame," came the hoarse reply.
"You know what, dear," Shaak couldn't help saying, "if you're so concerned about what goes on in other people's beds, why don't you try it in your own?
Jocasta wanted to reply, but she choked on her words, as if she had been punched in the stomach.
"Comrades, these lunatics have come up with another piece of filth, and since I am powerless to stop it, I absolve myself of all responsibility for it.
And with that, the woman turned and walked away.
"I'm sorry, Master Yoda," Shaak said to him, "but I would ask you to leave me alone with Anakin and Asoka.
Well, the first part of the negotiations had been successful, but the second part clearly promised not to be so for the Togruta.
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