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[jedies]

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[armd]

(She points somewhere out behind her,) There.

(Except the ocean isn't in view at all, so she's just pointing out into his neighbourhood. Weird how she knows the exact direction of it without having to question it, but she's really trying not to think about that. It floods her mind if she does.

Even now there's a whisper in her ear like the swell of the tide.)

I don't think I can come back.

[jedies]

[ his face seems to fall, hands reaching out to rest on her shoulders. ]

Are . . . you sure this is what you need to do?

[armd]

Yeah.

(That's why she's so upset, and in constant, fidgety motion. Still staring out in the direction she pointed in... His hands finding her shoulders make her look back.)

I'm sorry. I can't ignore it, (a wavering breath, one hand gesturing awkwardly around her heart, travelling higher.) It's- in my head.

[jedies]

[ obi-wan frowns. ]

We could find another way if you don't want to go. You don't have to go.

[armd]

... I don't want to.

(There are so many people she can't bear to leave. He isn't the first to have suggested this, either.)

[jedies]

[ obi-wan senses a but in there. ]

And yet.

[armd]

I know somebody else who left the same way.

He said it's like a compulsion.

(And she's starting to understand that word choice.) He didn't want to leave either.

[jedies]

[ trench's powers are greater than them. no matter what obi-wan says, he can't guarantee anything.

he would have to let her go. and yet his hands squeeze her shoulders gently. ]

What do you need from me?

[armd]

Nothing.

(He's given her a lot. Besides, she's going, and she can't take any more. There's a lump in her throat.) Just wanted to tell you. Didn't want you to find out.

(You're important.)

[jedies]

[ he can't help but smile at that, pained along the edges. ]

You always were the bravest of us all.

[armd]

(She laughs at that, a sudden burst of sound, because it's a very Obi-Wan thing to say... and she's hoping he won't notice the way her eyes burn, vision blurring at the words.)

Don't think so.

(She runs her tongue over her teeth.) I'm scared.

(Of saying goodbye, mostly. Scared of how it's going to make her feel.)

[jedies]

[ he probably has. but that doesn't change what he said. being afraid doesn't mean you stop being brave. ]

It's all right. You'll be all right.

[armd]

(She blinks, and a big tear snakes down her cheek.

... Fuck it.)

Dunno what I'm gonna do without your pep talks. (They're iconic.)

[jedies]

You'll just have to remind yourself of them.

[ his hands slip away, but he keeps them open if she wants a hug. ]

[armd]

I will.

(She doesn't want to forget about him, and- after a moment's hesitation- she steps forward into his open arms for a hug.

It's kind of... fatherly? It's weird, but really nice, so she holds on.)

[jedies]

[ he wraps his arms around her, warm and enveloping. hugs are not something obi-wan does regularly. physical affection is not his forte, but he understands the call for it.

and it's for him as much as it is for her. ]

[armd]

(Hugs are something Abby doesn't get regularly, and she thinks they're something she'd like to start doing more. When she leans back, she has to wipe her eyes.

There are a few people left to go before she'll feel content. This sucks. She feels bad that it has to be so quick.)

... I have to keep going. (She knows he'll understand, but even so.) I'm sorry.

[jedies]

You have nothing to apologize for.

[ sometimes, people must part. for a calling, for a reason. far be it for obi-wan to comment on it. at least she came here to speak to him. his heart wishes it could do more, be more.

but it is not the jedi way. it is not his way. ]

[armd]

Too late. Already did. (She gives him a watery grin.)

And if you see your stupid Padawan around, can you tell him to message me back? (She'd like to say goodbye to him too, if she could...)

[jedies]

[ he frowns. ]

Why not speak to him now? He lives here.

[armd]

He said he doesn't want to fight me again.

(He's avoiding her... honestly, she gets it, but this is more important than what happened the last time they spoke in person.) I'm waiting for him to give me the okay.

[jedies]

[ obi-wan rubs his forehead. ]

You'll end up waiting forever. You might as well go and shake him a bit.

[armd]

I don't have forever.

(That's the hard part. She might not even have the rest of today and she needs the extra time to be with Clarisse. Leaving her is going to be the hardest part of this.)

I'll figure something out. If he won't see me, I'll call. (And if he doesn't pick up she'll message. It will have to be enough.) You two are gonna be okay, right?

[jedies]

. . . Of course. It may take a while, but we'll be fine.

[armd]

Okay. (Gotta believe him. Not like she can stick around to hold him to it... Ha.

She looks back over her shoulder. Can hear the ocean from here. Or maybe it's in her head? Either way it's a very calming sound... a balm, on the ache in her heart.)

I'll see you. (She doesn't want this to be the end, so she's not going to act like it is.)