writer is very pleased

[notimeforsorrow]

Don't think I can't see you grinning to yourself over there. While I offer my congratulations that things are going according to plan - at least when it comes to your plans - don't you have other things to do?

Comments

[neverjoinyou]

Oh?

And what plan might that be?

[notimeforsorrow]

[Leia gave him a wryly amused look.]

She's getting all the "CR" that she wants, apparently.

[Including theirs.]

[twelve_not_fourteen]

[notimeforsorrow]

Don't let it get to your head, flyboy.

[Of course.]

[greyorder]

Grinning is preferable to cackling. And at least you get to talk to Luke regularly.

[notimeforsorrow]

You don't get to see him much?

[greyorder]

I think I've spoken to him twice since I arrived here. [Master Luke was a non-entity to him. Ben had decided not to take it personally on the basis of what he'd done that had made Luke so wary of him; it was hardly unwarranted.]

[notimeforsorrow]

I'll tell him to pay more attention to you.

[You know how mom does it.]

[greyorder]

It's alright. Honestly, this was what I expected to happen. I took away the happily ever after to his life; it's not as if it's uncalled for.

[notimeforsorrow]

Don't underestimate Luke's capacity for forgiveness.

[greyorder]

I killed his padawans. [The admission falls from his lips almost like a cry. He massages his temples, feeling the same frantic mix of anxiety and regret brew in him that always does when he says it, but it must be said.] All seventeen of them. Jaeris, Taibalt, Calista, Laure, Orin, Zdravo, Jannika, Atori, Chimeg, Navid, Natorra, Charde, Pazhedeki, Rashmi, Brendan, Ugin, Kadri. In that order. Kadri put up such a fight; she screamed and screamed for Luke but he wasn't fast enough. I still hear it at night when I try to sleep. I hear all of them.

Luke does too. And I can't bring them back, Mother. Even this place can't do that.

[prepollence]

I can only presume that this has something to do with that irrational relationship between the two of us that she has lately been so intent on pursuing.

[notimeforsorrow]

You presumed correctly. She's rarely this sentimental, and yet apparently our interactions are giving her what she calls "feels".

[Leia smiled dryly.]

Still - I can't say it isn't interesting. It's intriguing to find someone who can match my intensity.

[She stalked over to him, chin held up, eyes bright with a challenge.]

Think you can keep up?

[prepollence]

That question hardly needs to be asked. [He smirked slightly.] Though I hope you recognize, as I do, that this is bound to end terribly. Our political differences are an insurmountable obstacle.

[notimeforsorrow]

[She cocked her head to one side, her own smirk still in place.]

I've never believed in lost causes, General Hux.

Don't tell me you're giving up so easily.

[prepollence]

So you truly support this dalliance? For shame, Organa. I thought you were wiser than that.

[notimeforsorrow]

[Uh oh. Wrong move.]

[An expression of disbelief settled over her face.]

Dalliance? Is that what you think it is?

Is that what it is to you?

[prepollence]

I'm saying that practically speaking in the foreseeable future the viability of this arrangement is-- [Noticing that she looked about to jump him in fury, he broke off, sighing.] ...I have enjoyed our debates, for the record.

[notimeforsorrow]

[He hadn't completely assuaged her anger, but he had at least managed to keep it from exploding like a volcano.]

[Her mouth was drawn into a thin line. Did he really think that she was the type to jump into casual relationships? Did he just consider their involvement a farce? Maybe it was unwise because it was a gamble, but she took that leap of faith and saw it through - and whatever happened, she'd face it head on.]

You can be so infuriating.

[prepollence]

So can you. [Another hint of a smirk.] We do share some significant traits--I grant your mun that. How unfortunate that you aren't to be won to my side, regardless of how long we bicker.

[notimeforsorrow]

[She rolled her eyes, more for show than anything, although the smile was beginning to tug at her lips once more.]

Astute of you to notice.

You like the bickering, though. It keeps you sharp. Stars forbid that either of us lose our edge.

[prepollence]

It is better than some of the inane arguments my colleagues instigate. [Read: that Kylo instigates.] Even your wholly misguided retorts are quite well-composed.

[notimeforsorrow]

[Shame on you, Ben.]

They wouldn't be well-composed without reason and truth to back them up.

[prepollence]

Every effectively presented point carries some degree of truth, though the conclusion itself may be quite off the mark.

[notimeforsorrow]

In this case, the conclusion will be for the people's to decide.

[prepollence]

But of course. [His tone dripped with sarcasm.] It is only right to leave each and every decision to the mercy of the ignorant masses.

[notimeforsorrow]

Not each and every decision, but most certainly the ones concerning their welfare.