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Date: August 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings. Now with 200% more People-Seeking lists!
Warnings: None.

You've just been hustled and bustled through mazes of information and literal, wide corridors of the Initiative Hold and you've been equipped with your weapon—be it a gun, a sword, or even your existing powers. They've handed you this light netbook and a small pouch of coins (or a debit card, if you're more inclined), and there are several Transports before and after you going through the very same motions. You can hear the Greeter's voice as she walks alongside large groups, telling them all about the history of this place and sharing with you your purpose here in a hurried and urgent tone. "You're in luck that we have enough rooms for all of you; the housing building is getting awfully full. Please, let me show you into the courtyard."

You pass what looks like huge gymnasiums, all with dummies and targets strewn and splayed around the room. Training areas. There are even classrooms, and a few small offices. You're rushed past a large library while the Greeter informs you that you can find almost all your information there, if you've got the time to look—and trust her, you'll have time. You don't spend a lot of time in the bank, and it's a bit of a blur of exchanges with more and more of these strangely-accented and oddly polite-seeming members of the Initiative.

Soon enough, you're in a massive courtyard bustling with all the other Transports. It's not exactly what you'd expect, and it looks more like barracks than anything—huge walls of concrete and stone, separating you from all of the hallways you'd just passed through. It's raining heavily, and dark clouds loom in the air, though it hasn't turned to snow. It's a chill cold, and there are shelters—long cloth hangings that extend from the walls of concrete to house you from the rain, but not enough. Most notably, the courtyard is filled with a marketplace. Even in the cold and the rain, there are several citizens seated at their covered booths and tables, bundled up against the weather. They're selling all manner of their own handmade goods and foods, and citizens and Transports alike are traveling from one small covered shop to another in search of all manner of necessities. Now and then around you you might spot paper fluttering in the faint wind from somewhere relatively dry. It looks like a list.

The Greeter's voice has become so faint now, but you swear you can make it out in the back of the crowds as she tells you, "Good luck. Be safe!"

Her voice is drowned out by the busy marketplace, though even the transactions taking place are somewhat subdued. Nobody is overly happy, really, though most citizens can be found with smiles on their faces. It doesn't seem like they're that shocked to see you, either; even if you're not bound in tattered rags and wrapped in heavy shawls as they are. You're welcome to walk up to a shop, and find yourself something to eat—hey, maybe you'll even find something akin to a raincoat. Or, you can join the others under the coverings against the walls. Where am I? What war? She was talking so fast, and it didn't all make very much sense… did anyone else catch it all?

Welcome to the courtyard. Welcome to the Initiative Hold—and most importantly, welcome to Exsilium.

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[The last thing he'd wanted to deal with, was any new transports. It wasn't that he wasn't sympathetic to their predicament- He was at a baseline. He'd gone through the same thing the month before and getting out of this place wasn't exactly feasible. It's not his job to hold someone's hand through the process and there was always the chance that in the rounds of people, someone dangerous from their world might decide to stop on by.

Still, he stops. The hood of his cloak is up, though it doesn't really afford much protection form the elements. It's mostly for familiarity and a half hearted effort that he wears it. He doesn't much look like he enjoys being approached, and it isn't that the kid is new, or the a genuine desire to help that he pauses. It's because- He hasn't felt the Force actively tug around anyone, since he'd been back on Coruscant with the other Jedi.

He searches Luke's face but other than the nagging feeling that he's seeing someone familiar- He can't even begin to put a name to him. It's curiousity, and wariness mostly, that causes him to stay still]

The Network is going to be the easiest way to find them. [And there's some weird list going around. But that isn't a no]

[Somethings tugging at the back of his mind. The Force is trying to tell him something and he can't figure out what. His brow furrows in concentration and then he snaps out of it as Anakin approaches. Well, at least until he realizes the Force is eddying around Anakin - the Force truly is strong with him and Luke's a bit shocked. At the same time, there's something familiar about it - about him - that tugs at his memory, but he can't really place it.]

I guess I could try that, but I figured I might as well ask - what if they got dragged here like I did?

If they arrived at the same time as you, they'd have been with you when you got here.

[He didn't exactly stick around to see if they delivered the fresh faces every month in groups, rather than all at once- But even if his assumption isn't true, they all get fed out into the same place] There's a list for people who want to leave their name and the names of people their searching for, so new arrivals can find them easier. I still think you'd have better luck with the Network.

[A beat, why beat around the bush? The Force is persistent, and Jedi tended to stick together, whether or not they're actively training anyone. If Luke is skilled at all- He's going to know Anakin for what he is, so there isn't any point dancing around it] But if you're looking for another Jedi, you aren't going to find one. I've been the only one here for the past month, I can assure you of that.

I'll give it a try, thanks. I already found one of them-

[Wait. He pauses for a moment, mind racing. Han told him there was someone calling themselves Anakin Skywalker and he just said he was the only Jedi here. And that might explain the oddly familiar feeling he's getting off of him (and the way the Force seems to center on him, as if he's important). He opens his mouth and then closes it and glances down at Anakin's belt, then back up.

This can't be his father - he's young, incredibly young, probably not much older then Luke is, but-]

You're Anakin Skywalker, aren't you?

[Not a Jedi, and already here? Well, he thinks he has a pretty good inkling of who that might be. The kind of inkling that doesn't leave him all that impressed. Han Solo- He wasn't the sort of person Anakin would normally willingly associate with, but he'd made one wrong move after the other since they'd met.

It's wariness that Luke's greeted with next, though he's not exactly hostile. While he's not surprised not to know him, the Jedi are numbering in far too many for that, no matter how long he's been with the organization- But one who willingly associates with a man like Solo? It doesn't exactly spell good news.

Still, Luke is generally unassuming, and seems young- Far too young for a place like this. It's virtually impossible to feel threatened]

That depends. Who's asking?

[Luke sucks in a breath. There's a chill that runs down his spine an he has to take a moment to pick the words out. If this is is father from the distant past - what does that mean for him? For the both of them? Will he even remember any of this when he gets sent home? But it's too late for that, so he pushes on.]

I'm Luke Skywalker - you're my father.

[He can't detect a lie.

It's that simple fact that has him rooted to the spot, that freezes him up and makes his face lose that stern expression in favour of faint surprise. He's skilled in the ways of the Force, more so than anyone- And certainly more so than the boy standing before him. He couldn't mask this from Anakin, even if he'd wanted to.

He'd labelled Han as a liar, someone attempting to con him, for the droid. Or perhaps has someone cashing in on the fame of the 'Hero with No Fear' if his allegations truly did put him later in the timeline than Anakin, himself.

Anakin hadn't prepared himself for the possibility that it was true. Had never even considered the idea of children with Padmé. Their marriage was a secret to start, and there was a war he was dealing with. He hadn't planned for what he would do after- Other than take the leave he'd be owed and travel with her somewhere, enjoy it to the fullest extent.

He takes a long moment to simply look at Luke. At his son and catalogue the resemblances that he can find. Looks at the things he'd written off as nothing more than 'familiar' and sees them for what they are. It's hard to think past the moment as well, to think of the questions that sit heavy and insistent in the back of his mind. Why didn't Luke recognize him?, how did the order take it?, how long did it take to win the war?

He knows he'll have to give thought to them, give voice to them later- But he has a son, here, in a place as war torn and bitter as this place, and that has to take precedence]

-I've heard about you. [It's probably not the best return, but it's an acceptance]

[Luke swallows as the silence stretches out. All he can get is some confusion off of Anakin (his father) and that worries him. He's not sure what he was expecting - his father isn't even older then him, how can he expect him to know a son who hasn't even been born yet? He lets out a slow breath, trying to remain centered, like Yoda taught him to be. He has to stay calm - even if he wnats to grab his father by the arms and ask him so many questions.]

You have-? I-

[That's good, right? Luke's expression splits into a grin.]

Ben told me about you! About how you were a pilot in the Clone Wars! You were a hero!

A Corellian mentioned you.

[It's only reaction to Luke- To having a son, that manages to eclipse the irritation that would otherwise colour his voice. He has questions about that too- How Luke had ever come to know anyone like that. Why he'd gotten to know him well enough, that Han felt comfortable speaking for his things. If Luke was aware of precisely what that man was. But those are also, for another time.

When Luke's expression splits into a grin, Anakin is struck silent by it. It's Padmé's grin- and if he'd held onto any lingering doubts, they're certainly gone now. He ducks his own head, with a small, fond smile]

A hero, huh? [He might not have gone that far. The war- He'd always had conflicting opinions about it. About the Jedi's place in it. One felt more honest than the other, and there was no way to reconcile the two. But a hero- He supposes that's what he is in the most technical definition. He's ending the war. Almost single-handedly. And if nothing else, this is how he wants his son to know him. To remember him as, to be proud to carry on the name Skywalker]

What happens to me? [Because you mention him in past tense. Because he thinks they can't move forward, that he can't continue on the opportunity they've been given- Without knowing. But as if to take the sting out of his words, of what it might cause Luke to admit it, he reaches and slides a hand onto his shoulder. Being right hand dominant, he thinks nothing of touching his son for the first time, with the mechanical grip]

You know Han?

[Luke's never had a mental image of his father. He's always been a concept - some great hero that he only knows by reputation. He's never even seen a holo of him. But now - well, there he is. He wants to yell or shout or maybe even just hug him, because when will he ever have the chance to see his father again once this is all over? His excitement and joy seems to fade slightly when Anakin asks him that question. He takes a breath and tries to center himself (as Yoda taught) and tries to think about how he's going to phrase this.]

Obi-Wan...

[Luke takes a breath.]

Obi-Wan told me you were betrayed and murdered by a jedi called Darth Vader.

I wouldn't say that.

[At all. If he were inclined to be honest, there was a lot more threatening involved in that than actual discussion] He was here when I arrived. He recognized Artoo.

[Something flickers across his face, at the mention of his master. The war is not the only topic in Anakin's life, on which he is conflicted. It settles something ugly, low in his chest, something that feels a lot like jealousy- He knows the appropriate response to feel is grateful. He should be grateful that a Jedi as talented as Obi-Wan takes his son under his wing, ensures that he is safe- But Anakin can only remain stuck on one particular point.

Obi-Wan is doing what he should have. Once again, he's relegated Anakin to something that is no more than a footnote. But it's nothing, absolutely nothing- compared to the news that follows after.

(betrayed, murdered, vader)

(betrayed, betrayed, betrayed) It lingers. Takes root in the back of his mind, and festers there. Of course- Of course he was. He was right, in thinking the war was changing the Jedi, forcing them to lose sight of their true purpose-

So many times, the enemy seemed to know where they were headed, what they were doing- Often, they'd gotten away only by the skin of their teeth. On luck, rather than skill. Because- One of their own, had turned from them. One of his own, had robbed him of the future he was meant to have. The family that he'd always wanted- but thought forever out of his reach. Had robbed his son of his father, and-

It's a struggle, not to clench his fingers painfully around Luke's shoulder. To pull back from the anger that threatens to overwhelm him, that tries to convince him to pick the first available target- because they're going to have to be guilty of something, and let it go. But he can't. If for no other reason than Luke is just as much a victim of this- Vader as he is. And he needs him.

His chance for vengeance after all, hasn't entirely escaped him. Not in a place like this. He can still change it, with the right tools. It takes him another minute, breath escaping harshly from his nose- mouth opening and closing several times, in an effort to find the words that should follow.

He slips his other hand to Luke's other shoulder, brackets him in and meets his gaze head on. Gentles his voice and tries- Tries to encompass the things he remembers his mother to have been. Warm, and loving- Tries to be the things he might have expected his own father to do for him, things he'd wanted from Obi-Wan once. Some of them, he'd even gotten.

He's not sure he succeeds] You don't have to worry about that now. I'm right here- and I will be for awhile.

[Luke is ignorant of all the internal turmoil his father is going through. Well, mostly. He's not a complete novice in terms of using the Force, after all, and he can sense something - there's a darkness there and it almost seems familiar. Even if he wasn't a Jedi, he can still see the way his expression shifts in little ways, he can feel the way Anakin's fingers tighten. He can hear the tension in his voice, despite an effort to banish it. Luke doesn't know what to say.

He's never had a father before now, after all. Uncle Owen had tried to raise him as best he could, but he hadn't been a father. And Obi-Wan... Obi-Wan had been with him all of a few days.

He clasps Anakin by the shoulder and nods (it's probably nothing, he thinks - shock or disbelief - his father won't always feel like this).]

Good. I - well, I have a lot of questions.

[He pauses, brow furrowing again. Well, maybe he should hold off on that question - but, then again-]

Hey, I wonder - is my mother here, too?

[That's probably too much to ask for.]

Ask anything you want.

[Anakin might not exactly be partial to answering all of them- Might in fact, prefer to gloss over some of the other aspects of his life, make them less than what they are, if they must be mentioned at all- But he'll do his best.

He'll change it- and that'll mean different things for the future, will mean eventually a son who won't have to look at him as if he's a stranger, like a novelty. But it won't change anything for the Luke that stands before him now. Only time spend together, and an honest effort put forth to get to know each other, can do that. And he has more questions of his own, in turn.

That one- It does a lot to ease the anger, the darkness that lingers. Enough that he laughs, just a short burst of sound. If nothing else- it appears his family remained partially intact. If he was the only missing piece- Well, then it wasn't all for nothing]

She's here. She's- from another point in time than I am, but she knows- About you. [He dropped that tidbit of conversation from Han onto her pretty quickly after it had happened]

[There's a beat and Luke sucks in a breath. This can't really be happening, can it? He's meeting people long dead and gone and he has no idea what to do about it - except to wonder how, why, where, when. There's so many things he doesn't know about his father and mother. What were they like? What happened to them? When did they meet? Would they have been the same as Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru?

He honestly doesn't know where to start./]

...what's her name?

[It's like being short circuited. It sets all his muscles to tense, a complete system failure that leaves his eyes blown wide, leaves him incapable of moving past that one particular point. When everything starts to come back online, when his son offers him no further questions, no information, it comes back slow. His fingers go lax, and his eyes skirt to the ground]

You don't know her either. [It's not a question, but a realization given voice, because once it's given to the air, it makes it real. It's not something he can pretend to misunderstand, to gloss over as if he hasn't heard it. It's what he needs. To make it an irreversible truth] Padmé.

[It's a small, offhanded answer. There's grief layered there, wrapped around the vowels, but they are nothing compared to the rage that settles in. He's never, in all his life, felt an anger like this before. Not only did this Vader- this liar, this betrayer- (monster) rob him of his future, rob his son of one parent- but two. He must have, for their marriage was secret, Padmé's enemies laid to rest long before, there is nothing to link her to a Jedi- nothing but him. Nothing but the child she carried, and-

It would not go unanswered. The anger- It's quick, all consuming, burns him from the inside out and leaves him hollow. An eerie calm settles over him. The sort that blankets his eyes, leaves them unreadable and empty, drives his thoughts with a narrow minded focus- to a place no one else can follow. Vader had plagued the Jedi, had taken the one thing from him that made him whole, the person he loved and couldn't live without- and Anakin would show him a suffering unlike anything he'd ever known.

His voice turns silky, convincing- almost without him noticing it. It speaks of someone used to getting their own way, into pulling even the most stubborn of people into revealing just the right sort of information] What happened to her? If you know-

Tell me.

[The smile slowly slips from Luke's face as he watches Anakin (his father) react to the question. It begins to dawn on him that it might nto have been the best question (but that's Luke, always impetuous). He's trained - perhaps not as well as some, true - but he can still feel the anger and the grief and the hatred that are burning inside of his father and coming off of him in waves. That makes him wary. There's a darkness in his father that he can't place (and for a moment, his mind flashes to the cave on Dagobah and the specter of Vader with his own face locked inside the mask).

He takes a cautionary step back, expression flitting between confusion and worry. He remembers speaking to Padmé - she'd mentioned Han, but never Luke. He wonders why, but he doesn't have the luxury of wondering about that just yet.]

I'm sorry. I don't know what happened to my mother. I grew up with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. Owen - he didn't really talk about my parents much. And Obi-Wan... Vader killed him. Before I really had a chance to ask too many questions.

[There's a flash of concern across his face.]

Are you alright? You don't - there's something wrong.

[He has a bad feeling about this.]

[The question brings him back to the moment, just as surely as Luke stepping back has. He needs nothing to aide him to know that he's scared his son, worried him- And rightfully, he should have. Luke is too much like Padmé. He's naive, hopeful- completely untouched and untainted by war, the way Anakin had been- Once upon a time, so long ago. Rather than think of it as a flaw, he'd prefer it to stay that way.

The anger fizzles, pops, and goes dormant. Anakin allows the grief to take precedence. He shakes his head as if to clear it, as if in answer- and offers a small smile once more]

Yes, I'm fine- It's a lot to take in.

[He doesn't think he needs to explain to Luke, how much he loved his wife. That her loss was jarring, when he hadn't expected it. Having it on the heels of the confirmation of having a child together- Well] Your Uncle didn't know anything to tell you. I only met him once.

[It's a diplomatic answer, a small attempt at amends for his reaction. It's also honest. If Luke was to go to anyone, he would have preferred that he'd gone to Sola and her husband. Padmé's family could have offered Luke more, would have been kind, provided excellent education and more opportunities- they had also loved Padmé dearly. The Lars'- They were weak, and they weren't family. A true family would never abandon one of it's own.

They were nothing to him, and they should have been nothing to Luke. At least, it's not too late to correct this mistake as well. The eerie calm almost cracks at the mention of his Master. Of the fate that befell him- Whatever his conflicted feelings on the other Jedi, for the connection they shared, Obi-Wan deserved better than to be struck down by the likes of Vader. Luke certainly deserved more than to have to lose someone close to him, so young.

He pushes past the feeling, buries it down with the others, and steps forward to bridge the distance Luke created. There isn't even a moment of hesitation before he returns his hands to rest on his son's shoulders, tugging insistently, until he can pull him in for a proper hug]

You don't have to worry- About any of it, any more. Everything's going to be fine.

[Luke feels a twinge of guilt. What must it be like for his father to learn about not only his death, but the death of his wife and his old master? Especially coming from him - a son who probably hasn't even been born yet (from Anakin's point of view, anyway). He's relieved to feel his father's anger recede, but there's still something there that bothers him. There's still a darkness that seems to cloud some of his senses and follows his father and he's not sure what to make of it.

It's probably nothing. Just residual bad feeling.

He accepts the hug - why shouldn't he? But the way his father talks to him makes him pull back for a moment. There's a twinge of irritation - his father might be a war hero, but Luke's been doing his own fighting for the last three years. He doesn't need or want to be treated like a farm boy all over again.]

Don't worry about me - I can handle myself.

[He grins at Anakin - it's a cocksure, slightly arrogant grin, the grin of a youth who thinks (knows) he's invincible.]

I mean, we've got our own problems back home, but I can handle anything the galaxy throws at me.

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