[Even the laugh is a familiar refrain and when the first note breaks the air Anakin barely bothers to scowl. Being the "chosen one" hasn't exempted him from criticism and he's used to encountering authority figures that chafe at his approach. He lacks eloquence or subtlety, he's too brash, too headstrong, too emotional; but from where he sits, the people asking things from him aren't on the moral high-ground either. Experience tells him that a person with a cavalier attitude who summons strangers to meetings, who broaches the subject of alliances and then starts talking about some problems they're dealing with- is probably a politician that doesn't want to get their hands dirty. Or worse.
Truth be told, to some extent Anakin is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Attempted hirings like this usually end in a handshake or a drawn blaster and while he isn't afraid of the eventual flip, he'd prepared for it. And that's why his gaze lingers when the man laughs. Anakin looks at the pale column of his throat and at the corners of his mouth that... lift. Like he's found something genuinely funny.
Wrongfooted all over again, Anakin's gait begins to slow simply because his focal point is changing. Instead of letting himself be drawn in the direction of their next task, it's on the man beside him, who begins to elaborate as his face turns in the direction of their far off charges- yipping and chattering as they trot around. Maybe this neutral ground gives them both enough space to examine the theory. Why bring so many powerful people here? Why bring the volcano and the tree? Why bring people who couldn't protect themselves?
The man looks back and for the first time Anakin can see the blue of his eyes over the top of his sunglasses. He looks back. But the thought won't settle just yet- it drifts too near the surface, not ready to be accepted as fact. He can appreciate expediting as fight as much as the next guy- but the people from his world that have been brought here... They aren't a danger to others. They were in danger themselves. And more than that, Anakin has been at the whim of powers greater than himself- that were able to pluck him out of the universe and keep him out of reach until their own needs were met.]
Maybe they were brought here to keep them out of the way.
[He isn't trying to argue the point so much as test it, to see what it feels like to say the words aloud. Anakin's brows come together. He sees the value in confronting the conductor, it's exactly the kind of straight-to-the-point approach he's always made. But Cal and Obi-Wan had both spoken of a genocide they've been trying to outrun. If the conductor was responsible and they really did want their deaths- why rescue them by bringing them here? Why offer refuge?
His gaze lifts.]
I'm ready for some answers. But what's going to happen with your volcano and tree in the meantime? They the type to sit on their hands?
no subject
Truth be told, to some extent Anakin is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Attempted hirings like this usually end in a handshake or a drawn blaster and while he isn't afraid of the eventual flip, he'd prepared for it. And that's why his gaze lingers when the man laughs. Anakin looks at the pale column of his throat and at the corners of his mouth that... lift. Like he's found something genuinely funny.
Wrongfooted all over again, Anakin's gait begins to slow simply because his focal point is changing. Instead of letting himself be drawn in the direction of their next task, it's on the man beside him, who begins to elaborate as his face turns in the direction of their far off charges- yipping and chattering as they trot around. Maybe this neutral ground gives them both enough space to examine the theory. Why bring so many powerful people here? Why bring the volcano and the tree? Why bring people who couldn't protect themselves?
The man looks back and for the first time Anakin can see the blue of his eyes over the top of his sunglasses. He looks back. But the thought won't settle just yet- it drifts too near the surface, not ready to be accepted as fact. He can appreciate expediting as fight as much as the next guy- but the people from his world that have been brought here... They aren't a danger to others. They were in danger themselves. And more than that, Anakin has been at the whim of powers greater than himself- that were able to pluck him out of the universe and keep him out of reach until their own needs were met.]
Maybe they were brought here to keep them out of the way.
[He isn't trying to argue the point so much as test it, to see what it feels like to say the words aloud. Anakin's brows come together. He sees the value in confronting the conductor, it's exactly the kind of straight-to-the-point approach he's always made. But Cal and Obi-Wan had both spoken of a genocide they've been trying to outrun. If the conductor was responsible and they really did want their deaths- why rescue them by bringing them here? Why offer refuge?
His gaze lifts.]
I'm ready for some answers. But what's going to happen with your volcano and tree in the meantime? They the type to sit on their hands?