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[prophesiedone]

[Don't question a bored JediSith. Anakin is balanced on a large rock, surrounded by other, smaller rocks, that are floating. His lightsaber flashes, slicing through the circle of rocky opponents in one motion. The pieces tumble back to the ground in unison.]

I'm thinking about taking on new students if anyone is interested. I stopped giving lessons and -

[That was a mistake. He can't let himself feel hopeless anymore.]

Anyway, if you have Force ability, I will be able to tell with one meeting. And if I can't find anyone that fits that criteria, I'll just give defense lessons.

Ask me any questions; I can train and talk. [He is already raising more stones into the air, swinging his lightsaber as if it is merely an extension of his arm.]

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[prophesiedone]

I am fully trained - I should be a Master... [Old wounds. He fights down a wave of bitterness and shrugs.] I might be your best bet besides the Deryni.

[Nodding, he smiles, hoping to give some encouragement.]

What time is good for you? My schedule is pretty open.

[kingforboth]

My schedule is much more free here than it was at home. How is tomorrow morning? What time do you usually rise?

[Kelson caught Anakin's first reaction, mulling it over in his mind before asking, trying to come with a question that doesn't sound as paranoid as he was. But, old habits...]

Politics?

[prophesiedone]

I get up early. Before dawn. [Because sleep doesn't come easily and he feels some comfort in watching the sun rise.] I don't mind waiting for you. I know most people keep a better schedule than I do.

[He blinks and presses his lips into a thin line.]

Yes. Where it shouldn't be.

[kingforboth]

[Kelson did not get up early. He was a notoriously late riser. He could get up, and did around Prime for first mass, but he was not happy about it. The idea of getting up before dawn was horrifying.]

I do tend to sleep a little later than dawn. I can make a good showing for 9 am?

[Politics. That Kelson understood. Keeping someone from their full potential for inane reasons. It was why he was in this damn situation in the first place.]

That is unfortunate. And seems to cross worlds and cultures. My sympathies.

[prophesiedone]

Works for me. [He is fighting down a chuckle. Kelson would've hated being a Jedi. Early to rise, late to bed and then horrifying visions. Anakin really hates those; thus why he has kept up his discipline even without someone hounding him to not be lazy.]

People are the same wherever you go. [Politicians are his least favorite people. Unless they are named Padmé.]

[kingforboth]

[Kelson would have hated to get up that early on a regular basis, consistently going without a full nights sleep. He's had to do it, being king is not all fun. As for getting up? 9 am was probably still before his tolerance threshold but, such is life. At least it wasn't dawn.]

I hope that means that people can be reached and reasoned with then. Eventually.

[Politics. Kelson knew the game well, but he was not fond of people who manipulated and worked high highhandedly. He'd had quite enough of that.]

I'll meet you then.

[prophesiedone]

[Anakin used to be a bit hard to wake up too, but becoming a Jedi was a dream come true, so he had adapted. Now it is a combination of habit and fear that he keeps up the practice. Being by the sea is refreshing too and the dawns are beautiful.]

Sometimes. [Other times, they just need to be silenced. Violently if need be.] Time runs out eventually too.

[Drastic action is necessary - especially in his galaxy. He's tired of pussyfooting around problems when he feels he can easily solve them.]

Come to the coastline. It will be a nice background.

[kingforboth]

[Dawns were beautiful. Did Anakin know what was more beautiful? Sleep.]

Yes. Time runs out and sometimes there are no other good solutions. Sometimes people cannot and should not be reasoned with.

[Kelson's mind inextricably strayed to Loris' execution, remembering the man twitching and turning blue on the end of the robe as he gestured for his men to haul him him. Kelson had his limits.]

Very well. Tomorrow, at the coast. Is there anything I'll need?

[prophesiedone]

[If only. If only. He is so tired of witnessing the deaths of his mother, Padmé... He has even seen Luke's demise by his hands, yet that had felt more like a dream. He does know the difference, at least, though the waking up in a cold sweat aspect is always uncomfortable.]

I know who needs to be silenced when I go back. I can do it and it won't take me long. [Then... Hope? He doesn't know.]

No. Just yourself. I can provide everything else. [Practice "swords", which are made of wood, a clear spot for meditating... Water that is safe to drink and maybe some food.]

[kingforboth]

[Kelson was likewise tired of deaths. He was so tired of buying life with death. He was tired of killing and people dying. But he knew he was only eighteen and death toll was not bound to get lighter. People died. It didn't mean he had to like it though.]

Good. Don't make the mistake I did. There is a time and a place for mercy, but if you mistake that place, people suffer.

I'll see you tomorrow then.

[prophesiedone]

[People don't have to die. At least that is Anakin's belief. Once he discovers how to halt that cycle, he will be able to rest.]

I have no mercy for him. [Sidious has no mercy for anyone else.] Should he arrive here, I will kill him as many times as it takes to stick.

I look forward to it.

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[kingforboth]

[The only way to stop the cycle was to stop want and desire and ignorance, and Kelson wasn't sure that was possible.]

Do what is necessary to keep people safe. There are people I would do the same with.

[He enjoyed fantasing about it too, them coming back to life and him killing them again. Kelson normally didn't enjoy killing. This was different.

[When he arrived the next morning, Kelson had pulled on one of the red tunics Margarey had made for him, and a pair of breeches. He was getting good at this dressing himself thing. Feeling brave, he left his sword of state and crown in his house, albeit under magical protection, not entirely convinced of the selflessness of everyone here. When he first arrived he came across someone stealing every box of girl scout cookies he could find so he could sell them back to the populace. No. That crown was staying under shields. Besides, he was unsure what would be expected. Balancing a crown was difficult enough on horseback that he didn't do it, he had no idea what they would be doing. Or how this person would react to his status.]

Thank you for agreeing to work with me.