It was startlingly quiet in the Republic camp. Who knew it could be so peaceful where war had raged for days on end? Obi-Wan Kenobi, general, Jedi Master, and hero of the Clone Wars contemplated the deceptive lack of carnage. He was gazing up at the starlit sky and stroking his beard when the whistles and hoots of an astromech interrupted his thoughts.
Whenever Artoo was near, Anakin Skywalker was never far behind. "The security perimeter has been set up for the night," Anakin said, Artoo trundling along beside him. "I suggest we get a little rest," the young knight said, nodding toward the tent where he bunked with Obi-Wan.
"A wise idea," Obi-Wan agreed. He followed the younger man into the tent, Artoo rolling in behind him.
But Anakin had turned on a glow lamp and sat expectantly on the edge of his cot, mischief in his eyes. Obi-Wan sat across from him, his brow furrowed with suspicion. "All right, what is it?"
"Do you know what day it is?"
"It is the fifth day in the standard week on this planet, or the seventh day of the third month on the galactic standard calendar."
"No, that's not what I meant."
"Is it a holiday or something?"
Anakin rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you forgot your own birthday."
"Oh." Obi-Wan looked as though he'd just learned some interesting factoid for the first time. "So it is."
"I thought we might celebrate it. There's nothing in the Code against that, is there?"
Obi-Wan crossed his arms. "It depends on what you have in mind, young Anakin."
Anakin grinned. "You'll see. Artoo?" The droid beeped inquiringly. "Come over here." The little droid obeyed, rolling next to where Anakin sat. "Master Obi-Wan's gift, please."
A front compartment opened and a mechanical arm produced a bottle of a potent local brew. "Here you go," Anakin said. "Happy birthday."
Gingerly, Obi-Wan took the bottle out of Artoo's grip. "What is it?"
"A little something one of my scouts found in the marketplace. Supposedly, it's quite good."
Obi-Wan pulled out the cork and placed his nose close to the bottle opening. "Ugh, that's strong! It smells powerful enough to kill a nexu."
"Come on, you've imbibed some of the strangest brews known to the galaxy. Surely a Master as powerful as yourself can handle a little fermented morai juice," Anakin smirked.
Obi-Wan shook his head as he set down the bottle and retrieved a pair of drinking cups from his supplies pack. "Whatever it is, we're going to experience its effects together." Obi-Wan poured from the bottle into both cups, then handed Anakin one of them. "To the Republic," he toasted.
"To you, Obi-Wan," Anakin returned the toast, his eyes warm with affection. They clinked their drinking cups, then slurped down its contents.
"Not bad," Obi-Wan said. "It tastes much gentler than it smells."
"Your nose can deceive you, don't trust it," Anakin laughed, recalling one of Obi-Wan's favorite lessons.
"I see knighthood hasn't tempered your cheekiness one bit."
"You wouldn't have it any other way."
Smiling wistfully, Obi-Wan said, "No, I wouldn't." For a moment, it looked as though he was going to say more. Anakin leaned forward just slightly. Then Obi-Wan asked, "How did you find out about this stuff?"
Anakin leaned back. "Oh, while reading the dossier on the planet it mentioned that fermented morai juice is a local specialty."
"Well, I'm glad to see you've thoroughly done your research," Obi-Wan said with a gleam in his eye, before taking another sip. "Including my birthday."
"You've never forgotten mine, so I'm not going to let you forget your own, even in a war," Anakin said. "My mother once said that every day of life is precious, so it should be celebrated." For a moment there was sadness in his expression.
"Qui-Gon thought the same way...more or less," Obi-Wan said with a wistful look. "We Jedi generally don't make a fuss out of personal things like birthdays, but he always remembered."
"If it's any comfort, if we were back on Coruscant, I would have taken you to Dex's and have him make you that wonderful cake we had a few years ago. Remember?"
"Who knew Dex was such a talented pastry chef?" Obi-Wan chuckled. "Perhaps the first thing we should do once these blasted sieges have come to an end is have Dex make us some."
"Sounds like a plan," Anakin said. They continued to drink and reminisce, allowing the potent drink to affect them a little. Finally, they reached near the end of the bottle.
"One last toast," Anakin said as he emptied the remnants of the bottle into their cups. Obi-Wan lifted his and said, "To the many times you've watched my back, Anakin. I wouldn't have had this birthday without you."
"It is no less than what you would do for me," Anakin said, clinking his cup with Obi-Wan's. After they finished the liquor, they lay back on their cots, alcohol bringing on drowsiness. Artoo powered down in the corner.
Obi-Wan thought of saying something else to his former padawan, something that had been in his heart since the wars began. He rolled over to his side, sleepily muttering, "Anakin?" But he found his friend fast asleep...he hadn't even removed his boots.
It could wait for another time, Obi-Wan thought as he too drifted off to sleep.
