But Luuuuke...

[lastofthejedi]

I know you don't feel my voice as strongly as you do the others. I still believe you're simply overthinking things. Give it time.

It would be good to see my friends and family again. I've missed them. I have to admit that meeting people from my future is tempting as well, though it might upset the general balance of things.

[But...but... look at how COOL they all are!!]

Okay, okay. I'm not completely adverse to the idea, just cautious. I doubt I could stop them if they really wanted to meet me, anyway.

Comments

[whatawaste]

[Maya eyes Luke sideways. Don't take it personally, Luke. She pretty much eyes everyone sideways.]

So. You're the Rebel everyone's making such a kriffing fuss over.

[Why? He doesn't even look old enough to shave. Not that Maya should really talk. But she's very good at being judgey.

And nosy.

She can't help it if she gently tries to probe his mind with her own. She's curious and untrained. A deadly combination.]

[lastofthejedi]

[Luke is becoming more and more used to being side-eyed, though that doesn't mean he's yet comfortable with the attention. Still, he's calm enough when she approaches him. He even smiles a little at her words.]

I suppose I am. I'm not sure I'm really worth all the fuss.

[...and that's when he realizes it, when he senses it in her. The realization probably shows on his face, but it's not a bad surprise. It's still a little new for him to meet others with Force abilities.]

You're Force sensitive.

[whatawaste]

[Her eyes narrow slightly. She's pretty much always suspicious. Occupational hazard. But the suspicion quickly turns to genuine confusion.]

I'm what now?

[And why can't she penetrate his mind the way she can with other people? She's never felt anything like this before.]

[lastofthejedi]

[Luke can sense as much as see the suspicion in her. He knows he should probably be cautious. But he can't help his spark of excitement at meeting someone else with the Force. Still, he tries to be gentle.]

I can feel the Force is strong with you.

I think you must feel it, too, even if you did not know what it was.

[whatawaste]

The Force?

[The suspicion melts into more curiosity. Mostly because she doesn't quite perceive him as a threat.

Not yet.]

That ancient, dead religion?

[No offense, of course. It's just that the only thing she knows about the Force is that it really upsets her crazy grandfather.]

[lastofthejedi]

[Luke isn't offended. Quite the contrary, he's heard it all before. Han was worse than this before, but even he changed his mind about things, in the end.

He chuckles quietly, and shakes his head.]

I assure you it's not entirely dead. Perhaps I am proof of that... as you are, of course.

[whatawaste]

[Maya folds her arms.]

I'm not one for religion, really. If there's a higher being out there, it certainly isn't looking out for my well being.

Or anyone's really. Kriffing Empire.

[lastofthejedi]

It's not... exactly like most religions you might be familiar with.

The Force is something that surrounds us all, and binds us together. It's not strong in everyone, of course, but for someone with that potential like yourself... it wouldn't be a bad thing.

I know. I was like you once, I didn't want much to do with the Force, but I feel like it's brought a balance to my life that I didn't have before. It opened up doors and adventures and brought people into my life I've been blessed to have there.

[whatawaste]

Adventures.

[Excuse her while she makes a face.]

It's bad enough I'm on this adventure my kriffing mun has sent me on. The last thing I need is more trouble.

You make it sound like you enjoying being a freak.

[Because that's how Maya sees her Force-sensitivity. She's a freak. And she's never fit in with anyone.]

[lastofthejedi]

[Luke is not offended, however. He remains calm, not really all that surprised by what she thinks those with the Force are like.]

I know it's not easy being different, nor, I imagine, has your journey been an easy one. But once you understand the Force, and are able to control your powers better... your life can change.

I could help you, if you'd like. I could try.

[whatawaste]

Try would be the operative word there. I'm an old dog. Not much for new tricks.

[Never mind the fact that she's probably younger than Luke. Maya's just set in her ways and, frankly, her stubbornness is a problem.

A big, big problem.

Casually, she flips her hair behind her back, rolling one shoulder.]

Of course, if your offer came with a side of getting me the hell off this spaceship, I might be inclined to negotiate.

[She'll seriously do anything to get out.]