❝ do i look like im tolerant? ❞

—

LAUGHTER. Beautiful calming laughter echoed around Darth Vader. The male blinked as a mirror appeared before him. He gazed, inspecting what his face looked like without his mask.

The sith lord peered into his own eyes, the yellow hint they held catching him by slight surprise. Two scars decorating each side of his face.

The same laughter plagued his hearing, it was soft, gentle, and pleasing to hear.

The mirror disappeared and Vader was suddenly in his old room. The one he lived in whilst he was apart of the Jedi order.

Resentment and anger flashed in his gaze as he looked around, clearly agitated by the sight of it all when a voice that always soothed him spoke.

"Ani?"

Vader froze, feeling himself go utterly tense as the angelic voice cooed in his mind. The sith lord slowly turned, swallowing thickly as a kind smile greeted him.

Carina.

The brunette raised a curious brow, "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Vader couldn't believe his ears, for years he spent dreaming and hallucinating his wife, his lover— but this was the first she actually spoke.

Her voice, he hadn't realized just how much he had forgotten what the girl had sounded like. He had missed it, everything about her he missed.

Carina pursed her tainted lips, "You haven't made the right choice yet, have you?"

Vader furrowed just brows slightly before taking a few steps towards her, desperate to hold her once again, but with each step he took, the girl got farther and farther away.

"You can't reach me, Anakin."

Vader, for the first time in what felt like centuries, wanted to cry.

"Not while you're this."

Carina's figure suddenly went blurry when the scenery faded away, until Darth Vader was standing before Carina Algora's tombstone.

His breath caught in his throat as he gazed down, he had been to the exact spot multiple times, one of those times having left yellow mum flowers, her favorite.

Every dream always ended the same way, with him standing over her grave.

It would forever be his constant reminder of who put her there.

Darth Vader peeled open his eyes, beginning to sit up in his bed as he glanced around.

It was merely another dream.

—

Carina stared at the palm of her hands, chapped lips pursed together as Reva's words chanted in her mind.

"He's alive."

The Algora girl knitted her brows together, she supposed if she had still been in contact with the force she would have found out that reality sooner.

The brunette let out a frustrated groan, her hands running themselves through her hazel locks. A small voice cooed in her ear, telling her she should have never left her planet.

Leia carefully treaded closer towards the distressed woman, "Are you okay?"

Carina slowly lifted her gaze to set on her daughter who was inspecting her. The Algora girl stayed silent for a long moment before reluctantly nodding.

The princess tilted her head slightly in response, "You don't look like it." Carina's gaze fell once again, she had only wanted to get her daughter to safety and now the Inquisitors would be after her, and she didn't even want to think about Vader.

Anything involving him always made a piece of her ache.

Obi-Wan suddenly stepped into view, his eyes settling on Carina. The news had become an unsettling thing for the both of them to hear.

Leia gazed up at the Jedi, "Are we almost there? Can't you make this thing go any faster?" Obi-Wan shook his head in disagreement, "It's a trade route, Leia. I'm not in control of it."

"Can't you use the Force on it or something?"

Kenobi slipped his hands into his pockets, "That's not how it works." Carina merely listened to the duo's conversation as her eyes stayed on the ground beneath her.

"How does it work? The Force. What does it feel like?"

Obi-Wan thought of a response for a short moment, "Have you ever been afraid of the dark?" The princess gave the male a small nod as he continued, "How does it feel when you turn on the light?"

Carina closed her eyes as she knew the answer to which her friend was referring to.

"I feel safe."

Kenobi hummed, "Yes, it feels like that." the man reached into his pocket as he slipped out a familiar looking droid before handing it to Leia. The ten year old's eyes visibly brightened up as she took her robot from his grasp, "Lola!"

Leia spared Obi-Wan an intent look, "You fixed her. Thank you." The ship began to rumble softly, a sign that they were getting close to land.

Carina slightly shook her head before standing up from her spot, her hands slipping into her pockets as she spoke, "We better get ready. We're on approach."

Leia darted her attention over to Obi-Wan who slightly shook his head.

―

Sixth brother, one of the Inquisitors, treaded through the halls as he made his way into the main bridge. His communicator beeping, signaling he was receiving a call.

Reva raised her gaze to settle on the male, leaning back slightly to merely watch the other Inquisitor answer the call. A hologram of Darth Sidious appeared before them, the two dark force users looked visibly stunned by the appearance of the Sith Lord. Palpatine was never one to make calls to those other than Lord Vader.

The male bowed his head, "My Lord."

Darth Sidious eyed the two Inquisitors before speaking, "Third sister, I have heard a whisper that you have encountered Jedi Carina Algora."

Reva swallowed anxiously as she nodded, "I have, My Lord."

Palpatine narrowed his gaze, his demeanor darkening slightly, "Lord Vader is not to find out such news, if I discover he has, I will deal with you two personally."

Arjun spared Reva a glance, the two having fallen frozen in their place. Arjun slowly nodded, "Understood."

Darth Sidious shifted his attention over to the Sixth Brother, "I want you to eliminate her. Extinguish Carina Algora, I need her dead. Fail me, and you won't live long enough to regret it."

The hologram faded away and Arjun looked over at Reva, "Kenobi falls into your responsibility."

The Third Sister raised her chin slightly, "Our targets just so happen to be traveling together."

―

Carina placed a gentle hand on Leia's shoulder as Obi-Wan stood close behind the two, the mother taking note of the droids gazing the opposite way of them before leading her towards the dry and plain pathway.

Carina removed her hand before slipping them into her pockets as Obi-Wan stepped into her side. Princess Leia looked out into the vast mountains her eyes could catch sight of, curiosity filling her gaze, "What is this place?"

"Mapuzo." Carina answered her daughters question, "It's a mining system." The brunette glanced over at her friend, "What do the coordinates say?"

Obi-Wan slipped the device out of his pocket, "The meeting point should be further north."

Carina glanced at their surroundings as she muttered, "Unless he chucked us into a trap." Leia pursed her lips, "Why would he do that?"

Kenobi put the device away as he answered the young girl, "People are not all good, Leia." Carina set her eyes back out into the scenery, "It didn't always look like this here."

"There were fields and families, and then the Empire came in and ravaged it all."

"Thought the Empire was supposed to be helping us." Leia curiously questioned as Carina shook her head, "Depends on who you ask."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, "Well, there are some, like your dad, who are trying to."

Carina grit her teeth at the word 'dad', her mind for a small second going to Vader. The mere thought of it causing for her to clench her fists tightly, "It's a losing battle."

Carina peered back to see Obi-Wan who had halted in his steps, his eyes looking into the far distance as if he was watching a person.

The brunette pressed her lips firmly together in concern before moving to set her hand upon the males shoulder, "Obi-Wan."

The Jedi snapped out of his trance as he shifted his attention over to the brunette that held a worried glint in her eyes. Kenobi darted his eyes between the mother and daughter, attempting to not let the hallucination of Anakin get to him as he spoke, "Stay close."

―

Carina let out a yawn as she felt her eyes begin to feel heavy, her attention going on Kenobi who began speaking, "Now, remember, if anyone asks, we're farmers from Tawl. Carina is your tired aunt and you're my daughter who doesn't talk."

Leia blinked in confusion, "I can't talk, or I don't like to talk?"

"You don't talk."

"Got it."

The princess shifted her attention over to the brunette, "You know, ever since we left Daiyu, you've barely spoken a sentence." Carina looked down at her daughter before looking back up, "I'm just tired."

"That's not a very good lie."

Obi-Wan suddenly stopped walking as he glanced around, "This is it. This is where he told us to come to." Carina grit her teeth as she felt her anger begin to bubble up within her.

"Maybe they're just late?" Leia quirked up a brow as Carina scoffed harshly, "Be careful of those you trust."

Kenobi softly shook his head, "I never should've trusted him."

"We don't know if maybe—"

Carina turned towards her youngest, "It's a dead end, Leia."

The princess blinked in response before her gaze landed on an incoming vehicle in the far distance, "Well, if we're on our own, we're gonna need some help." The young girl began to wave her arms as Carina knitted her brows together, "Now what are you doing?"

The ten year old child began to walk downhill, continuing to wave her arms as she answered, "Maybe they can give us a ride to the spaceport."

"That is not safe."

The vehicle began to tread closer as Leia retorted, "He seems friendly."

"Yes because you can tell that much at this distance." Carina picked up her pace as her daughter approached the ride, "Leia, no."

Obi-Wan followed closely after the two girls, his eyes landing on the princess, "Well, keep your head down. And remember, you don't talk."

A smile graced Leia's lips as she gazed up at the unknown person, "Hi, I'm Luma." the girl then gestured towards Carina and Obi-Wan, who visibly looked against the idea as Leia continued, "This is my frien— uh father and aunt. This is Orden and Lia. We're farmers from Tawl."

Carina slipped into her daughters side as she crossed her arms over her chest as the creature greeted himself, "Hey there, I'm Freck."

Leia looked between the pair of friends, "Aren't you going to say hello?"

"No."

"Hello."

Leia blinked at Carina before looking back at the driver, "We were going on a trip, and we got a little lost in this field."

Freck tilted his head slightly, "That's a weird story."

Obi-Wan glanced at the brunette before chiming in, "We got a bit turned around. We're looking for the nearest port. We need to get home."

"Well, I'm going that way. Jump in."

Carina was quick to shake her head, "No, thank you. All we need are directions." Leia rolled her eyes before speaking, "Come on, auntie. We've walked long enough and I'm sure father is tired."

Kenobi blinked at the small child who looked over at the driver, "Thanks Freck."

"My pleasure, hop in. Don't worry, I'll get to the port in no time."

Carina let out a heavy sigh before walking around to the back of the vehicle, her eyes landing on the empire's symbol the transport had hung on it's rail. Uneasiness coursed through the Algora girl as she stepped onto the back, slipping into a seat beside Leia while Obi-Wan took the other side of the princess.

"Now, where'd you say you're from again?" Freck questioned from the front. Obi-Wan glanced over at him, "Tawl."

"Oh, good people out in Tawl. They pay their way, listen to the Empire."

Leia nodded enthusiastically, "Absolutely. We love the Empire."

Carina bit back a scoff as Freck replied, "Nice to meet like-minded folk. Nothing wrong with a little order, right?" The brunette clenched her fists in her lap as she gazed down at her bunched hands.

Obi-Wan suddenly caught sight of four storm troopers wave their hands out to which the transport came to a stop. Carina lifted her head, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of them before she gazed down at her daughter in concern.

"Transport late again?"

The storm trooper towards the front nodded, "As usual."

"Well, hop in. Meet my new friends."

The storm troopers began to make their way onto the vehicle, "Thanks Freck." Carina clenched her jaw, upholding a calm expression as Freck spoke, "This is Luma, Orden, and Lia. They're hitchin' a ride to the port."

Freck spared a glance back at the troopers that had taken a seat, three sat across from his while the other took a place beside Carina, "Where are you all comin' from?"

"They're movin' us around, looking for a Jedi."

Carina pursed her chapped lips, her hands beginning to fumble as she felt her exhaustion slowly overcoming her.

Freck's eyes widened slightly, "A Jedi? Out here? I hope we're not in any danger."

Hearing that sentence leave his mouth was like a smack to Carina in the face, her entire life she had done everything to live up to what it was to be a Jedi. To be a symbol of hope and life, all she ever wanted to help those who needed it across the galaxy, she knew it was what she was born to do. Only for the Jedi to end up being spat on, feared, and hunted. Only for everything she thought she knew to be a lie.

There was no point in anything anymore.

The storm trooper shook his head, "Ah, no, we'll find him. We always do."

The ride continued, utter silence falling over the group as they treaded over the mountains. Carina closed her eyes as she breathed in and out, placing herself back into a calm state when a small hand was suddenly placed upon her clasped ones.

The brunette looked down to see Leia giving her an encouraging smile. The mother felt her chest tighten as she sent her youngest born an endearing gaze.

A storm trooper studied the trio, his gaze lingering on Obi-Wan for a moment, "You a miner?" Kenobi shuffled in his seat as he slipped out a response, "Farmer from, uh, Tawl."

"What are you doing out here?"

Obi-Wan pressed his lips firmly together, "That's a long story."

"It's a long way."

Carina spared a look at the troopers before listening to Leia who chimed up, "He brought me here to see the place where he met my mother before she..." the small girl trailed off in a sad tone.

Obi-Wan blinked at the princess, "She's not with us anymore. Been a very difficult time."

Carina let a soft sigh as the storm trooper set his gaze on the Algora girl, "What about you? You have any information about a Jedi?"

The brunette held an unbothered expression as she shook her head, "Wouldn't even know if I saw one."

"You haven't heard anything?"

Carina licked her lips, "I wish I could tell you otherwise." Leia held a curious glint in her eyes, "Are you even sure he's on this planet?"

Kenobi gave the child a look, "They know what they're doing, Leia." Carina's eyes snapped up at her friend, panic hidden behind them at his slip up. Leia hadn't even noticed as she continued, "It's just I'm—"

The storm trooper swiftly cut the princess off, "You called her Leia." Carina slowly reached her hand into her robe, where her blaster laid hooked to her side as the trooper kept his gaze on Obi-Wan, "I thought you said her name was Luma."

All the troopers attention went to the Jedi who crossed his arms over his chest, "That was her mothers name. I get confused." Carina slowly slipped her hand back into her lap as her friend continued the lie, "Like I said, it's not been easy."

Obi-Wan glanced down at young Leia, a hidden meaning clear in his eyes as he spoke, "Sometimes when I look at Luma, I see her mother's face." Kenobi spared Carina a glance, only to see the woman already watching him, her eyes shining as if they were speaking phrases to him.

The male looked back over at the troopers, "We all miss her very much."

The soldier nodded in understanding, "Well, just keep your eyes open. Report if you see anything."

"Of course."

"This is us!" The vehicle suddenly came to a halt as the trooper began to pile out of the transport, "Thanks Freck."

Once they had started moving, Carina visibly relaxed as she leaned back in her seat. Obi-Wan noticed Leia gazing at him intently, "What?"

The princess paused for a moment before speaking, "You knew her, my real mother, didn't you?" Carina instantly tensed once again as she slowly looked over at Kenobi, who's eyes were already set on her.

Leia glanced back at the woman, "You knew her too?"

Carina pursed her lips, "It was just a story he made up, Leia." The ten year old child shook her head, "I knew you two were keepings things from me."

"Leia—"

Carina watched the princess gaze into her eyes, "Did you also know my real father?" Carina felt like a weight had been placed on her chest, the question caught her off guard as she watched her daughter who was wholeheartedly asking her something.

If only little Leia knew the truth, perhaps it would be one she would have wished to have never known. A small frown tugged on her daughters lips, "Sometimes I try to imagine what he was like."

Carina took a shaky breath before parting her lips, "You remind me a bit of him actually." Leia curiously tilted her head, "I do?"

Carina nodded, "You're ambitious and headstrong, defining qualities he had and that you carry."

Obi-Wan watched the woman with an endearing gaze, he admired her for having the strength to speak about Anakin to her daughter, he didn't think it was such an easy task to accomplish.

Leia blinked up at the brunette, "What were your parents like?" Carina hesitated at the question before responding, "I... didn't really have parents. I never had a father in the picture and my mother left me from when I was born."

Leia frowned, "Oh."

Carina gave the girl a small smile, "But, I did have a father figure growing up, he was everything to me because he was the only parent I ever knew. Taught me almost everything I know today."

Obi-Wan felt a bit of joy bubble up inside of him to hear his friend speak on their old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Memories of the time where the trio were once inseparable flooded his mind, a time that was filled with happiness.

Now, he gazed at Carina, who he remembered when she was merely the age of four when they had found her. The girl had clung to his side ever since the first time they had met. She would annoy him, taunt him, make his life slightly harder, but she would also laugh with him, train with him, and fight by his side.

Carina was his sister. Blood or not.

She was now all grown up, yet not a trace of her younger self could be seen in her eyes. Her light hearted personality, her snarky remarks, her carefree demeanor, it was all gone. He missed it, he missed the time when she was Carina Algora.

Obi-Wan suddenly snapped out of his trance as Carina loudly spoke up, "Can we get off here?" The male looked over to see storm troopers awaiting at a gated pathway.

"Oh, it's a standard inspection. Don't worry, won't take long. I know these fellas."

Weariness was clear in Carina's gaze as the vehicle slightly jolted as it came to a stop. Her eyes watching as Freck approached a trooper, "Good run today?"

"Not bad. Quarry's running dry. We're gonna have to dig again."

"Who are they?" Carina watched as Freck's voice suddenly turned to a hushed tone as she could no longer hear him. The brunette pulled her hood up as she let out a soft breath, her attention following after the soldiers that came around the transport, "Not a lot of reasons to be in the outpost today. Where are you headed?"

Carina pursed her lips as Obi-Wan replied, "Uh, back to Tawl. We have family here we were visiting."

"All right, step out of the vehicle." the trooper raised his arm to speak into his comlink, "Initiate protocol 23."

Carina did not like the sound of that, not one bit.

The trio stood from the seats as the mother placed a protective hand upon her daughters shoulder as they piled out of the vehicle.

Standing before the troopers, Carina caught sight of a seeker droid, her gaze lowered slightly as she attempted to hid her face in her hood without it being too obvious. The troopers placed their attention on Obi-Wan, "You, raise your head first."

Obi-Wan stayed with his gaze slightly shifted downwards as the robot inched closer. "I said raise your head." the two soldiers readied the blasters in their grasp as Carina instinctively reached for hers slowly.

Kenobi slowly lifted his gaze as the droid began to analyze him, Carina quickly slipped her weapon out before shooting the droid down, aiming the blaster at on trooper before lurching to the side as she dodged a shot fired at her.

Obi-Wan had his own gun in hand as he shot through the other trooper, Carina pushed Leia behind her before shooting her way through the attacking soldiers.

The brunette kicked her leg out as she knocked down one before putting a shot through a neighboring one.

Obi-Wan took care of the trooper perched upon the control tower as Carina punched Freck square in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Carina blew her hair out of her face before turning on her heel only to see Leia being held by a storm trooper with a gun to her head. The mothers anger spiked  as the soldier spoke, "Put it down."

The brunette clenched her jaw, lowering her hand ever so slightly before swiftly shooting the trooper in the head, his body falling onto the floor as Leia ran to the Algora girl. Carina held her daughter as she turned, Obi-Wan standing near them as he blasted the control panels to the laser gate.

The trio walking down the path when another transport began to approach them, troopers waiting inside as the small ramp suddenly lowered as they ran out, aiming their blasters at them as a woman walked out.

"Get down on the ground, now."

Carina slowly fell to her knees as she raised her hands up, the brunette slightly flinched when blaster shots echoed in her ears. The mother looked up to see what seemed like a general shooting down the troopers.

Confusion flashed through her gaze as the woman intently looked at them, "Come on."

Carina stood back on her two feet as she helped Leia stand from the ground, her eyes holding caution with the woman who spoke, "They'll have sent a transmission. We have to hurry. I'll take you the rest of the way."

Well, at least they had a ride.

―

AUTHORS NOTE,
you dont know how many times ive had to go back and edit this bc i was writing carina how she used to be, but unfortunately for now we only get her dry distant self and also Arjun is a character created by me bc Reva will stay focused on obi-wan while arjun will focus on killing carina just to make things easier.