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“I understand your position, Senator,” you spoke slowly, trying not to clench your teeth in annoyance. “But if you would just allow the Republic a mining permit-”
“-you will loot Lothal of its natural resources and leave our citizens in an even more dire position,” Senator Azadi finished your sentence with a hard look. “Do you truly expect us to simply hand over the only wealth this planet has?”
You looked to Anakin for help and he cleared his throat, speaking up. “I’m sure the Galactic Senate will gladly provide any assistance-”
“Bah!” Azadi snorted, rolling his eyes. “We’ve been petitioning the Senate for aid for months now. Each time, we’ve been denied due to lack of funding. Don’t tell me the Republic has suddenly found currency reserves?”
“All available funding is going toward the war effort. There are funds, but none that can be diverted.”
“And what of the people who live in the Republic? Are they to starve while you fight some far-off war?” Azadi demanded. “The Outer Rim may not be a critical battleground, Masters, but that does not mean our people matter any less.”
“You’re right,” your padawan, Ezra, cut in quickly.
You shot him a warning glance, but he pretended not to see it and pressed on.
“You have something we need, and that gives you leverage. Tell us what aid Lothal requires, and we will bring your appeal to the Senate in exchange for the permits.”
You schooled your expression, trying not to reveal your irritation with your padawan. Anakin, sensing your vexation, brushed his hand against yours under the table.
Senator Azadi leaned back, eyeing Ezra thoughtfully before turning back to you. “When we receive the aid, I will issue the mining permits myself — and not a day before.”
You nodded. “Thank you, Senator.”
You rose with the rest of the delegation and bowed to the Lothalian Senate before exiting the room.
“That was a foolish move,” you chided your padawan when you returned to the ship.
“How so? We’re going to get the permits,” Ezra replied with a grin.
“Master, did you truly expect Senator Azadi to grant the permit without compensation?” Ahsoka chimed in.
“No, I didn’t,” you answered, shooting Ahsoka a sharp look. “I expected the Senator to counter our offer with one of his own, and then for us to counter that, and so on until we reached a compromise. That’s generally how negotiations work. Instead, Ezra undermined me, gave up all our bargaining power, and handed Azadi a blank check.”
“Oh.” At least your padawan had the decency to look embarrassed.
Ahsoka, on the other hand, merely shrugged. “We’re still getting what we wanted.”
“Snips, maybe stay out of this one,” Anakin advised in an amused tone. Shrugging again, she left the room.
“Ezra,” you said, tone softening. “You grew up on Lothal, right?”
He nodded bashfully, all traces of smugness having dissipated.
“Your love of your people influenced you to make an unwise bargain. A Jedi must discipline their mind to disregard any attachments. You know the Code: There is no emotion, there is peace. You must take those words to heart.”
You placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, smiling sympathetically. “It is a difficult lesson to learn, and an even harder one to live by. But I have faith in you and your abilities.”
“Thank you, Master,” he said, giving a small smile in return before bowing and joining Ahsoka in the cockpit.
“You handled that well, Master,” Anakin commended, approaching you from behind when the door shut.
He wrapped his arms around you and you leaned back into his embrace.
“I’d be more inclined to agree with you if I didn’t feel like such a sanctimonious hypocrite,” you grumbled as he pressed a kiss against the crown of your head. “‘Disregard any attachments.’ Like I have any right to tell him that when I… when we…”
You trailed off as Anakin began to kiss down the side of your neck.
“You’re making it very hard for me to stew in my shame,” you sighed, turning around to face him.
He responded by pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Then my plan is working.”
“Anakin Skywalker,” you gasped in faux shock. “Are you trying to distract me?”
“It depends,” he smirked. “Is it working?”
“A little too well,” you murmured, pulling him in for a long, slow kiss. He tried to deepen it, fingers curling into the fabric of your tunic as he pulled you flush against his chest.
Reluctantly, you broke free from his grasp. “We had better join our padawans before they get suspicious.”
“Later?” he asked, tugging you back in.
“Later,” you confirmed, pressing a final, loving kiss to his cheek.