Open Post: Leia Organa

[oratorical]

CHARACTER: Leia Organa
CANON: Star Wars
MUSE STRENGTH: ????
CANON POINT: End of ROTJ

Comments

using Emp setting as an excuse because why not

[dragonring]

[Having the multiverse proven right? Great! Weird, especially with this kidnapping feeling, but great. Having to control his powers along with his emotions? Not so great.

At least the locals are accepting both of his magical and mechanic ideas, so it's only his usual awkwardness that makes him feel out of place. So he's having lunch alone, not a strange site, while trying to dissemble a piece of magitech, which fascinates him. It also reacts to his powers, making the little wind stone jump out and hit the woman behind him. Oops.]

Oh shi- I'm so, so sorry... are you ok?

that works for me

[oratorical]

[Leia expects a lot of strange things now, thanks to her time in Empatheias. Sudden weather changes, temperature changes, even smells and colors and sparkles thanks to people's emotions going haywire. One thing she doesn't expect is being hit in the back with small rocks. As soon as she feels the wind stone hit her, Leia reaches back to make sure it's not anything actually harmful. Thankfully--no blood, no real damage.

Leia turns to face him, her gaze lingering on that half-assembled magitech before looking him in the eye, her head tilted and eyebrow raised. Not so much because she's mad about this, because she's not, she's just curious about what he thinks he's doing there.]

You should probably take that apart in a more controlled environment. You won't lose any pieces that way.

[dragonring]

Define controlled environment.

[A bit of sarcasm, don't mind him, he's still learning how this world works, and it's like going over Physics 101 all over again. He stretches his hand to make the rock float back to him, which make look like the Force to Leia, but it's completely different.

...except the rock falls midway, when Dave finally looks up and sees the woman's face, losing concentration. Wow, ok, maybe he should stay at home after all. Is he having Star Wars hallucinations now? Dreams wouldn't be new, but this... The multiverse is gonna troll him hard, isn't it.]

Soooo... yeah, ah. Sorry. [Awkward? You betcha. Also staring a lot. Sorry about that too.] Has anyone told you look exactly like Carrie Fisher? I mean, you have the-- [He points at his head with his screwdriver, giving it a whirl.] Leia-hair and everything.

[oratorical]

[That raised eyebrow remains firmly where it is the more Dave talks. Between the seemingly random namedrop and referring to her hair style as "Leia hair," she's not all that sure what to make of this. Staring, she's used to. Floating rocks aren't all that bizarre either. But Carrie Fisher is a name she's never heard, and her hair happens to be both functional and traditional for Alderaanian royalty to wear.]

You're the first. You're also the first to use the phrase "Leia hair."

[dragonring]

[Ugh, that raised eyebrow... Dave is feeling so judged right now! He's also in denial, thank you. He's seen so many good cosplays after all. He may be very book-smart, but his brain right now doesn't process this piece of information.

She doesn't ask "who?" like otherworlders usually go at his references, so he keeps going, fidgeting a bit under her heavy look. Even the attitude is similar.]

Ah, I guess "Leia hair" is more used for her buns thingies... [Again with the gesturing, drawing spirals overs his ears with his fingers.] It's kinda freaky, you even sound like her, Your Worship.

[He thinks he's being funny by quoting Han...]

[oratorical]

[Ah. That nickname. Any discomfort from him talking about her as if he knows her, and as if she weren't there in front of him, is almost forgotten as soon as "Your Worship" leaves his mouth. Leia rolls her eyes and sighs, almost reflexively, because as unprincessly and rude a reaction as that might be, she can't help it. (and really, she's never cared much for seeming like a proper princess)]

I would hope I sound like myself. I haven't worn my hair in those "bun thingies," as you so put it, in years.

[That sighing and eyerolling over, she fixes Dave with a piercing look and a tight smile to emphasize her point.]

Have we met before?

[dragonring]

[Have they? He doesn't think so. It's almost as if...]

...no way.

[His brain is finally making the connection and he can only stare again. He opens his mouth, points at her, takes it back, closes his mouth.... gapes a bit more... Finally he covers his mouth with his closed hand, awkwardness reaching a new level.]

...Did I just hit with a rock the actual Princess Leia?

[Ground please swallow him. Goddammit, multiverse.]

emp setting excuses in here too because why not

[mislighted]

[The thing about putting a pair like Leia Organa and Anakin Skywalker in one group meant to work together is that, no matter how unintentional, something was going to go wrong. It was simply inevitable. All it took was someone else being frustrated at their inability to work together, causing a small earthquake, and they were stuck underground, blocked off from the others with no way to contact them or anyone else for help.

Thanks a lot, guys.]

Great. Now, we've lost the others, and we still have to find the way out.

[This is going to be a disaster that even he isn't sure he's ready to deal with. It was only a matter of time before Anakin knew he'd be taking the heat for this, but he tried to play it off and tested the newly-formed wall, instead.]

The easiest excuse

[oratorical]

[Whoever stuck these two in a group is no doubt regretting it now. Or, just as likely, is pleased they can finally make progress with the two problem members cut off from the rest of the group. Whatever the case, Leia is just as unhappy, probably even more than before, about being stuck in a tunnel with the galaxy's greatest dad.

Anakin may be inspecting that newly formed wall, but Leia is a few feet away, peering down the other end of the tunnel. You know, the part they were meant to explore that leads deeper down underground. The only problem is, well, there's little guarantee of an exit down that way.]

You're the Jedi, aren't you? Can't you just move that with the Force?

[is it possible to sound more sarcastic? Probably not. She's no expert on the Force, but even she knows moving that much dirt and rock is probably incredibly taxing and time consuming. But that won't stop her from commenting on it.]

[mislighted]

[It is so very tempting to roll his eyes, but he resist purely on the fact that it's Leia talking. She has a right, even if he doesn't like it and won't justify it out loud. He tries to ignore it by testing the wall, making it shake slightly in a way that cannot be safe.]

Of course I could, if you wouldn't mind waiting here for a few hours while I try to move it without making the whole thing worse.

[He turns towards her, knowing deep down he is going to regret what he just said later. But you only live once, and Anakin intends to make sure he experiences as much pain as possible before he gets there, intentionally or not.]

We'll have to find another way out.

[oratorical]

[Even from her position, she can tell that shaking isn't good news. She eyes it warily, for once her focus not on Anakin as the most pressing and immediate issue. In fact, she's unnerved enough by that shaking that she lets that snark pass with only an irritated glare in his direction. ...For now.]

Well, there's only one option, unless you want to try digging out a different wall.

[Which. She's not above doing, maybe. There's just one problem.]

We'll need a light.

[mislighted]

We should at least go and have a look before we decide to risk destabilizing another wall.

[Digging a new way out seems like a waste, anyway, when the tunnel might lead out with less time and effort.]

Luckily, we've got one.

[They call it a lightsaber for a reason, and that is partially because it functions as a large, deadly glowstick. He flicks it on, keeping the blade far away from Leia. It's not the brightest torch they could have, but in the darkness of a cave, it'll keep them from falling over rocks and enemies.

This is not Anakin's first time being stuck in a dark and creepy cave with no obvious escape, if she hadn't noticed.]

[oratorical]

[She isn't about to admit it out loud, but she is grateful that Anakin is keeping the blade far away from her. The light might be further that way, but the lightsaber is uncomfortable enough. And besides, in a dark tunnel, it's not too difficult to follow the light even from a distance.

Leia steps further down the tunnel, but stops, turning back toward Anakin. Though it's probably hard to see, she's stony-faced and probably on the edge of snapping. ...But honestly, it's not much of a change from how she's been the rest of this task so far.]

Before we go, let's get one thing straight: I'm in charge here.

/plops him back in emp for this

[misplacesfriends]

[Finn is standing outside Leia's house, hesitating at the moment to knock on the door. He'd agreed to the outing, a walk around town with plans to just do things as they happened upon them, but part of him wonders if maybe 9am is too early to start said outing.

He rubs at the back of his head, already sweating in this lovely summer heat.

At least if he knocks now he could go inside for a little and avoid the sun? Maybe they could get breakfast/brunch?

Taking a deep breath, Finn knocks on the door.]

yessssssss

[oratorical]

[Fortunately for Finn, Leia's someone that, when she has her way, is up very early, ready to start her day and take care of whatever needs to be done. So for her, 9 am is hardly early at all. A surprise, perhaps, but not an unwelcome one at all.

She answers the door, her face lighting up when she sees who it was knocking, and steps aside slightly to allow Finn to come in for a moment if he chooses.]

You're up early, Finn.

/o/

[misplacesfriends]

[He should've known honestly, that she'd be a morning person, possibly not by personal preference but more so by duty's sake. But also possibly due to her own personal nature. His head lifts and a smile crosses it as the door opens.

It turns sheepish, of course, at the remark. He steps in, shifting weight from one foot to the other.]

A little earlier than I usually do here, but it's not bad compared to when I woke up for training. [Those were early days indeed.]

There isn't anyone else asleep, is there? [Does he have to be quiet?]

[oratorical]

[Leia shakes her head, because nope. At the moment, it's just her here.]

Han left earlier to take care of something on the Hawk, so there's nothing to worry about.

[But since Finn brought it up, and she really is curious to know more about him, as much as he's willing to explain--]

How early did you have to wake up before?

BECAUSE I'M NEVER CONSISTENT ANYMORE SOBS

[misplacesfriends]

[A wry grin.] Suppose I should be glad I missed him, otherwise I have a feeling he would have dragged me off to help. [Regardless of actually needing help. A lackey to do things for him was always...wordlessly appreciated.]

Depended on what they had planned for us... Sometimes it could be upwards to three in the morning; on more relaxed days it could be five.

IT'S OKAY

[oratorical]

[Well, he's not wrong about that. She can easily see Han trying to drag Finn off to help even today if he were around. She smiles, just slightly, shaking her head.]

Han doesn't ever make you get up that early, does he?

emp verse because it's easy wheee - tros spoilers obviously

[lostapprentice]

[It's been a long couple of days, emotionally speaking.

After having his wounds attended to quietly and taking the time to reflect on his newly jumbled memories, Ben headed out early in the morning to refamiliarize himself with Verens. He merely lets his feet and the Force take him where they will, and in the end he finds himself at the docks, staring at the Century Hawk.

A stupid name for a stupid ship, just like his stupid father. He remembers well enough how he spent so much of his time here after his mother asked for his assistance, piloting and helping with the business. Now, with his only option of a life being to stay on this planet, he guesses he'll probably be sticking around this stupid ship for the foreseeable future.

He doesn't step onto it yet, instead taking a seat on a nearby crate with a sigh.]

[oratorical]

[a stupid ship with a stupid name and a lot of stupid mess inside of it. There's a lot she knows she's missed, but if she can start anywhere, it's with the ship. Somehow these seemingly-junky ships Han gravitated toward were more durable than newer ships, no matter what world they're in, and she's glad to see that the Century Hawk fits that pattern. If nothing else was how she remembered it, at least this ship sort of was.

Albeit much, much messier.

Whatever Ben, or whoever had taken over the ship, had been doing with it, there were still areas in need of repair or just a fresh coat of paint. Not knowing where else to start or where to pick up where she left off, a project like this is a good distraction to keep her mind from wandering.

Not that it's working well this time. On her way to the docks, much to her annoyance, her focus keeps being pulled away from lists and plans and toward a presence that's familiar but not familiar enough for her to fully place it just by the feeling alone. It's not until the Hawk comes into view that everything (well, not everything, not the changes she felt) clicks into place.]

...Ben?

[She's expecting the usual: a bored look, maybe a sarcastic comment, and some sort of sigh at her using his given name and not Kylo Ren.]

[lostapprentice]

[Ben, meanwhile, knows that presence pretty much immediately, even with his connection a bit shaky after his death, having to readjust to a different planet's energy. His head jerks up and he takes in a sharp breath when he feels it, and he turns to watch as she approaches. When did she return? Was it just after he left, or is this just another memory he's conjuring to comfort himself?

... No, it's probably not that. He'd like to think he's past that now, even if he would appreciate the comfort.

His face no longer bears the scar she saw when they last spoke. It doesn't have the same hard mask as before, either, and his eyes are already bright when she approaches, a mixture of hope and regret plain on his face.]

Mom.

[oratorical]

[That's unexpected.

She notices the change in how he's carrying himself, of course. It would be hard not to. That's not the part that catches her the most, though. As far as she could remember, this was the first time he'd ever called her "Mom." She blinks in surprise, pausing to study him for just a moment.

She's not sure what to make of it, whether it's Ben himself or whether there's some unnoticed affect of Verens and its unique brand of magic. Whatever the reason for it, Leia draws closer. Whether it's the magic or a genuine change in him, the one thing she's sure of is that he won't hurt her. ]

I didn't know you had returned.

[lostapprentice]

[He almost gets to his feet to head towards her himself, but then thinks that maybe it's better if he lets her make her own decision about how close she wants him. After everything...]

I could say the same.

[He takes in a deep breath and turns his gaze to the floor, a little shaky as he tries to keep his cool. Maybe don't cry on Mom the second you see her, Solo. He does look back to her after that, however, not wanting to block her out.]

It's been a couple of days.

[There's so much he wants to say, but he feels like if he starts he'll never stop and it will just be a mess. She deserves better than that, he thinks.]

[oratorical]

[She does want him close. She always has, even when he's been reluctant to allow that. Even with the change in his demeanor, she's not sure whether that preference remains the same. So at first, she stops a few feet from him, allowing him his space.

But that sigh, especially this close to him, doesn't escape her notice. And instead of giving him his space, Leia reaches out, gently placing a hand on his upper arm. If he gets angry about it later, so be it, but she can't bring herself to not offer comfort with him looking like this.]

Ben, what happened?

[Because, obviously, something had happened.]