talentedscavenger | Riverview: IC Inbox

[Well..she wasn't expecting a text. Half of her was convinced that the dream didn't happen, but seeing the name, it does startle her a little.]

Hello.

Doing well?

From:

realists

Well enough once the dreams stopped.

[ which was like two weeks ago, she's slow. ]

Cassian said you saw one of his.

From:

I'm grateful for that. I didn't need anyone else running around in my head.

[She pauses then, trying to type out the next line of text very carefully.]

I did. Did he tell which one I saw?

From:

realists

Yes. Scarif isn't something either of us are likely to forget.

From:

No, and learning what happened to both of you...

It didn't feel right, seeing that memory.

From:

realists

Far easier than trying to explain it. Now you know.

From:

I shouldn't have found out that way, but it can't be undone.

It may not mean much, but thank you for you and Cassian and your team did.

From:

realists

[ you're welcome seems like such an absurd thing to say and jyn can't brush it off with "it's what anyone would do" because obviously the high counsel proved that it was certainly not.

maybe... jyn and cassian can't go home, maybe rey deserves to know what the history no doubt left out. ]

It was my father's revenge, I had to finish it for him.

From:

[Both of them were holding back things from each other. Rey hadn't told Cassian or Jyn that the war wasn't over. The remains of the Empire had grown into something more dangerous than before....

One of these days, they would all need to have a long talk..]

Was your father..forced to build the Death Star?

[Because if it was revenge, then that would greatly imply the man didn't like the Empire. Her mind flickers back to the conversation she had with Cassian about the memory. How the defect had been built into the structure of the thing.]

From:

realists

They thought he was on their side.

From:

The stories I heard never mentioned that. Everyone assumed it was an accidental flaw.

From:

realists

[ gd history. how many other parts of the story were erased when they wrote the story of the rebellion? no matter, jyn supposes bitterly. she won't be there to read it. ]

He designed it to be undetectable.

From:

[Well, considering she was from Jakku and the education system there is non-existent, she only has word of mouth to go off of. Along with whatever plans she found in the AT-AT Walker that was her home.]

But you still found it. That's truly remarkable.

From:

realists

He sent a message, so they Alliance would know.

From:

Did the Alliance believe the message initially?

From:

realists

No, no one did.

From:

No, and Cassian said not even the Alliance approved of your mission.

From:

realists

The High Council couldn't agree. Not until we were already there and made the choice for them.

From:

It was stupid for them to not agree on it. You had a chance, you had hope, it was reason enough to try.

From:

realists

[ jyn almost laughs to herself, seeing rey make the same arguments that she made. what choice did they have but to fight when the plans were right there for the taking? they couldn't take the risk that the empire would catch on and move them. ]

Without the full support of the council, the odds were too great.

[ it's mon mothma's words, mon mothma's sad answer to the arguing that had flooded the room when jyn had given up speaking, but she supposes they're true. until the ragtag crew of rogue one forced their hand. ]

From:

But you did it anyway. You had to.

[And the galaxy was better off for it, even though Jyn and Cassian never knew if the plans were ever picked up by the Rebellion.]

From:

realists

We didn't have a choice.

From:

No, you didn't.

[It seemed like they were talking in a circle, and she wasn't sure if Jyn wanted to keep talking about the past...]

If you want, I could tell you a little bit about the future.

From:

realists

Maybe in person?

From:

If you want, sure.

It's nice to have someone from the same star system. When I talked to someone else about droids, they were mystified by the idea of it.

From:

realists

I had the same experience, they had no idea what an astromech was.

I think it might be better with food. We could meet at Cassian's apartment.

[ she says meet but jyn is already there and there is already food. (and i can set something up on rey's open post?) ]

From:

Really? It is what it sounds like. But, that's what you were before? Doing repairs on ships?

If Cassian is alright with it, okay.

[Rey could bring something of her own if Jyn wanted...or maybe she would just bring something to be nice. (Do it!!)]

From:

realists

He's alright with it. You can come over whenever. I'll tell you when you get here what I was doing.

From:

Okay, I'll be there in a day or so. Maybe sooner, depending upon a few things.

But, we'll see each other soon.

From:

realists

See you

From:

sup rey
i'm stuck in the lab babysitting some algorithms and i'm bored as hell
how's things?

From:

Why are you babysitting algorithms? Is that code for something?

Busy, kind of? I mean, things have happened...but I shouldn't complain.

My friends, the ones from my world, they're here. It's good and bad? But, they're here Cisco. They're actually here!

From:

[ He resists the urge to make a coding joke, but only barely. ]

it's not code for anything
i've got this program running that's doing some automated calculations and i just need to make sure it gets through the whole sequence without breaking
basically i just gotta sit here and wait to see if it breaks halfway through and it's taking ages

oh holy shit, that's awesome
wait, friendS
so more than one of them showed up?
who are they, people you knew on jakku, or after?

From:

[He could make a coding joke...but she wouldn't get it, and maybe just put in an obligated 'ha. ha.' for a return text.]

What are you calculating exactly? A new invention? Or something else?
Please don't tell me it's the odds of you being scarred by a fat raccoon.

Yes, more than one of them--hence the good and bad parts of it. They're from after Jakku. One of them is Finn, he's one of the reasons I left Jakku, and the other is Poe. Poe's a pilot...and both of them aren't needed here. They're needed back home.

You can understand my dilemma here...right?

From:

something else. this one isn't work related.
this is probably gonna sound crazy but
i'm trying to set up an early detection system for when strange stuff is happening around here
like the whole thing with people seeing each other's memories
and i think this was before you got here but there were these fireflies that made people feel certain emotions
and killer plants
and all sorts of stuff.
i want to see if there's a pattern.

needed? for what?

i'm not entirely sure i do.
why is them being here good and bad, and not just good?

From:

No, it doesn't sound crazy. Setting up something like that would give everyone enough time to at least prepare themselves for something strange to happen.

There were insects that made people feel certain emotions? Like...rage? Or happiness?

[...Well, she didn't want to tell him this, but she trusts him so...]

Promise you won't say anything? To Eddie or anyone else?

From:

that's exactly what i was thinking
yeah, there were different colors and their bite had venom or magic or something
that would make you all angry or honest or scared.

[ Eddie had gotten bitten by the honesty one, and Cisco by the fear one. That had been... an interesting day. One of the first real steps towards them becoming good friends and then later more, now that he looks back on it. He'd had a panic attack and been a complete mess, and Eddie had looked after him. ]

as long as not-saying it to him won't put him in any danger, then sure.

[ Cisco is going to be upfront about it, but he does have his priorities. He's not going to hide anything from Eddie that might put him in harm's way. Not even for Rey. ]

Edited Date: 2017-11-17 01:18 am (UTC)

From:

Doesn't sound like fun. How long did it last?

[And more importantly, would that ever come back? If so, should she look for ways to repel those types of insects?

Well...now she has to really come clean. She doesn't want to freak Cisco out, but she doesn't want to put him or Eddie in any danger. However, she has to come face to face with reality; if Poe and Finn could be brought here, so could anyone from the First Order. Better to prepare him and Eddie now rather than have something happen.]

Then...I'm going to have to trust Eddie too. In my world, there's a war in the galaxy between the Resistance and the First Order. The First Order wants, order, throughout the Galaxy. Total regime order. The Resistance, is against that and have been fighting them.

Poe and Finn are part of the Resistance. They're needed back home to stop the First Order. As happy as I am to see them here, it makes me worried about the war going on.

And, if you or Eddie ever come across someone by the name Kylo Ren, just stay away and let me deal with him.

From:

it wasn't, but it only lasted a couple hours
all the stuff that happened last month was way worse if u ask me

okay. and you can trust eddie, for what it's worth. i do. more than anybody.

[ It's much less sordid than Cisco had been expecting. Anything that called itself 'The First Order' sounded pretty shady already, and what Rey says about it being an aggressive regime that wants to control the whole galaxy confirms that. So it's some kind of militaristic, imperialist, fascist space bullies, and Rey's worried for entirely understandable reasons. ]

the war isn't going to go on without them. or without you if you decide to go back.
the people in charge of the portal say they can put people back at the same point in the timeline when they left.
once they actually pinpoint your universe amongst all the others, they can return you there at the second you left.
the reason it takes them so long is there are so many different universes, each one slightly different from the rest
they wouldn't want to put people in the wrong one.
anyway my point is, you don't gotta worry about the war going on without them
think about all that stuff like it's on pause. as long as they don't die here or anything, they can be returned and can do their duty and all that.

[ Of course, even though all those things are true, he can't give the same reassurance that Rey shouldn't worry about the war coming to them. He takes special note of the name and thinks for a few seconds before he responds: ]

got it. i'll pass along the warning.
though if you're gonna fight him you should have backup
even if it's dangerous.

and while we're at it, if you hear of anybody named eobard thawne or harrison wells, don't go anywhere near them

[ Cisco's world might now have an interstellar war going on, but there are still bad and dangerous people. ]

From:

Your trust in him adds to his credibility.

[Okay, that does bring some small comfort to Rey, but it leaves a whole variety of things unanswered...and he's about to learn more than she thought she'd tell anyone. Also, going to ignore the whole 'If you decide to leave' part.]

And what about those that have been here before and have returned? That's exactly what happened to Poe. He was here when I got here, and then after a few weeks he was gone, now he's back no memory of this place...

Just like me.

[She rereads those names again and again until they're in her mind.]

I wouldn't want anyone to come near Kylo Ren, he's the one who..entered my mind. He's also the one I left nearly for dead. He nearly killed Finn, I'm not going to have anyone else be harmed by him.

Noted, severely noted.

From:

oh snap
well i can't answer that with certainty but i have a few theories

one possibility is that they returned poe home and removed his memories of this place when they did so, and then there was some kind of mix-up and he got brought through the portal a second time. if that's the case, the people working on that portal are total idiots.

what seems more likely to me is that it was a different poe, from a very slightly different universe. i'm working on a device that'll be able to sense if people come from the same versions of reality. the poe you knew before and the poe who is here now might be different people.

[ Not the most reassuring thought, but it's his best guess. ]

wow this kyle dude sounds like a real fucking piece of work
i understand. and i'll keep an ear out.
if you want i can build a program that'll send me an alert if his name comes up on the network?
i can throw in the words 'first order' too if you'd like?

those are two names for the same person
he's really called eobard, the other is just a name he stole from someone he killed
he hurt eddie a lot.

[ Cisco could leave it there, but, well. Rey's being honest with him, so, he can at least say: ]

and he hurt me a lot, too.
so if you meet anyone calling themselves that name, don't confront him or anything just
get outta there and let me know.

From:

I'm more inclined to believe in the first theory than the other. These people already made a mistake in bringing me here, not once but twice. When Poe was here the first time around, he said I had been here before, and now he doesn't remember anything. And, I don't remember anything about this place. [Cisco would've mentioned something about that, right? Assuming they had become friends before...or if not, then she didn't need to worry about that question.]

Which is why I'm wary of any solution they think will solve the answer. It could all be one big loop, bring us here then make us leave, forget everything, and then come back.

[She nearly laughs reading that typo. Kylo Ren as Kyle...no..that didn't sound right. ~~His code name should really be Matt.~~]

If you could, I would be grateful. Take it out of my pay if you want. Or, I could bring you candy in exchange. If you could add in the name 'Snoke' that would be helpful too.

If you're planning on facing this person..I could help.

From:

whoa seriously?
that's a head trip right there.
you were here before?
i wonder if it was really you...

[ He hasn't heard of anyone leaving and coming back again, but evidently it is common enough. Or is it? Could it be something about Rey's universe in particular? Her set of friends? Cisco is going to have to investigate more thoroughly, now that he has cause to. Before his theories had only been idle speculation to pass the time; it hadn't mattered to him all that much since he never intends to leave. But if this is something that concerns Rey... ]

well at least as far as i know, they don't MAKE anyone leave
they want people here helping to rebuild after all
wouldn't make any sense.

[ The Kyle thing had been fully intentional and not a typo, thanks very much. Cisco can't give a guy a villain nickname yet because he knows nothing about him, but he can still be mocking. ]

i'm not gonna take it out of your pay and you don't need to give me candy
i wasn't gonna charge you
i'm happy to do it. i'll throw snoke on the list, too. if you think of anything more you wanna add, just let me know.
👍🏽

i'm not planning anything.
i hope he never shows up here.
i'm just making contingency plans for the worst case scenario.
he's dead anyway.
the only way he could show up would be if he came from earlier in the timeline than me and eddie.

From:

What do you mean 'if it was really me' ? If it's the same 'me' then we would've befriended each other, I would think.

But either way, it's weird. I don't know how much trust I can put into these people who want us to help them, but haven't given us much information. Or, they haven't provided me with much information.

[They don't make anyone leave...but then why bring the same people back to this place? Especially when they have no knowledge of ever being here in the first place? One question only leads to another, and another...]

Are you sure? You're doing a lot for me, and I feel like I haven't done enough in exchange.

Understandable. It never hurts to have a contingency plan or two, or three.
But, if there is someone from your world that is dangerous and you need help, let me know.

From:

it could've been an imposter. Someone merely pretending to be you, who'd altered their appearance. i've seen it happen before.

[ Cisco you are not going to make Rey feel any better, telling her shit like that. But, well, it's true. Eobard hadn't just stolen Dr. Wells's life - he'd literally transformed his body to look and sound just like him. ]

have you tried asking?
about the memories or multiple versions or whatever?
i've always found them really helpful.

[ He knows Rey a little by now, and that a direct approach like that might not have occurred to her, because she's used to keeping secrets and trying not to create waves. But Cisco's not seen any sign of a big conspiracy, and he's been here a lot longer than her. ]

i'm sure
it'll be easy to whip up the code
besides i'm a nerd, i like doing this shit for fun.

i will.

From:

[ Well, she hasn’t thought of that because for all the advancements her world has, being able to do something like that was impossible except—]

You mean like a clone?

[ Shit, the only people she could think of that would e used clones were the First Order. Now she needs to rethink everything. ]

I haven’t tried asking around. I didn’t want to freak anyone out. I tried asking Obi Wan, but to him it was a matter of The Force bringing me back here again. The will of the Force...which is frustrating at times.

[ Give her a moment as she tries to process that ‘nerd’ word. ]

why would you think you’re a nerf?

From:

not exactly although i suppose that's another possibility.
there was someone in my world who had a machine that let him change how he looked
so he stole another man's appearance. changed his whole body so he looked and sounded exactly like the other man.
but it was just a very good disguise.

[ Clones were a possibility he hadn't considered. Doppelgangers and shapeshifters, yes. Clones, no. That's a whole other can of worms, isn't it? ]

well, if you'd like, we can always go asking around together
i can pretend to be the one with all the questions and you can listen

so the force is sort of sentient?

[ Sometimes the way she speaks about it sounds a little bit like someone talking about their religion, or like Eobard when he spoke about the Speed Force. Cisco wonders if there's a connection ]

no, a NERD. with a 'd'
it means someone who enjoys really brainy stuff, like puzzles and coding, or i guess certain kinds of movies......
it's actually really hard to explain now that i think about it

what's a NERF???
that's just a kind of toy gun that shoots little foam things where i'm from.

From:

Well, from my world that would be the only thing that could happen. But, I don't know if cloning is still possible, or something the First Order uses.

[She was one Starkiller Base for...she didn't know how long. But it wasn't long enough to know if they used clones or not. Maybe it's something she could ask Finn, since he knows more about the First Order than she does.]

Maybe..I still need to let Poe know that he was here before, and that I was too. And Finn too. Let me tell them first and we can see where we go from there.

The Force...isn't sentient, at least I don't think it is? I know it moves through the Galaxy, and more is less like an energy field? It basically connects all living things.

[Can he tell her knowledge is very limited? And her training with Obi Wan didn't last that long.]

Why would 'brainy' stuff make you a nerd? I've had to fix things, rebuild things, and learn different languages. Would that make me a nerd?

A nerf is an animal that's used for its milk meat and hide. They don't smell very good, at least from what I've heard of them. So when I thought you made that mistake, I was wondering why you thought you were one of those furry animals.

From:

okay, sure thing. just offering.

but you said it has a will?
or is that kind of another way to talk about fate, just as "the Force's will"?

you're definitely not a nerd
just being smart and knowing how to do stuff doesn't make you a nerd
i guess it's kind of a cultural thing?
i'm having a real hard time explaining here sorry.

so a nerf is basically a cow?

From:

I appreciate it, thank you.

Something to that effect. The Force itself is an energy that connects all living things together. It might have a will..or it could be as you said, something similar to fate and how that might have a will itself.

It's okay, but you make it sound like a nerd is a bad thing. Or, I could be misreading your texts.

I suppose? It depends, what does a cow look like?

From:

right. got it.

[ He definitely has not got it but he's got a feeling that texting is not the best way to figure out the nuances of this belief system. It's certainly very different conceptually from the religion he'd been raised with, but he's confident he's getting closer to understanding, at least. ]

you're not misreading it's just complicated.
i'm a nerd and i like being one. wouldn't trade it for the world.
but it got me bullied a lot when i was a kid. you know, other kids making fun of me or beating me up.
it's seen as weird, to be too into school or too enthusiastic about certain stuff
there's all sorts of expectations about what guys are supposed to be interested in and act like
and i never fit in with those.
like i said: complicated.

🐄 like this!

From:

Why would it be seen as weird? Learning is essential to surviving.
Oh, expectations...very stupid expectations then.

I do like you as you are. Nerd, friend, everything. [And whoever tries to bully him or harm her friend...they'll have to face her. She doesn't seem like much of a threat, but she can be a great one.]

Can't you be your own category to fit in? You're an inventor, kind, smart, a nerd, talkative, easy going, helpful, understanding....patient. An expert on candy.

[She's being very sincere with those words, and looking at the cow emoji...]

Sort of...but more hairy and a darker color.

From:

there are a whole lot of stupid social expectations where i'm from

[ Doubtless there are in Rey's universe, too. Maybe she's just not as aware of them, or perhaps they weren't as foregrounded when so much of her concern was basic survival and not the social hierarchy of a high school, etcetera. Cisco makes a mental note to maybe just get Eddie to explain some of that stuff to her, sometime. He's better at articulating that kind of thing than Cisco is. Just a detective thing. Gotta be aware of those nuances.

All of Rey's compliments leave Cisco somewhat at a loss for what to say. They're all things he wants to be, tries to be. But hearing (or, well, reading) Rey calling him them makes him happy and embarrassed and uncomfortable all at once. Cisco is bad at accepting compliments. ]

categories are pretty restrictive, for most people
things never work out as neatly as we want them to
you can't put people in neat boxes. that's just not how people work.

(and... thank you)

i wonder if there are any nerfs on this moon?
i kind want to see one now.

From:

I can only imagine how many problems that creates.

[ To have so many expectations of someone, putting limits on them...it would be more of a headache than anything. ]

No, you can’t put a person on a box. It doesn’t do anyone any good, and limits them greatly.

(You’re welcome)

I don’t think so, but I could try to draw one for you?

Edited Date: 2017-11-21 05:25 am (UTC)

From:

a whole lotta problems
but it's all good
i said screw it to all that a long time ago
no point pretending to be somebody else
and anybody who doesn't like it can just fuck off.

i mean you don't HAVE to
but i would definitely love that

From:

Exactly. I don't think I could imagine you in any other way than you are now.

I could try? I think I still need to draw a picture of an X-Wing for Jim. He was interested in what sort of ships are in my world.

Though with Poe here..sure he could explain it better.

From:

thank you. that means a lot.

well if you do have poe draw an x-wing get him to send me a copy too
don't need it for anything but what kind of nerd would i be if i passed up a chance to learn about whatever kinda badass awesome space ship something with a name like 'x-wing' has gotta be?

From:

volitaunt

[ RING RING RING RING RING RING RING BANANAPHONE. ]

Taako turned me into a bird.

[ Saying that sentence hasn't gotten old yet. ]

From:

[ Rey picks up the phone, about to say hello and then the news is dropped on her. ]

What?!

[ How is he talking if he’s a bird?!]

Where are you?

[ This is why she can’t leave Poe alone. ]

Edited Date: 2017-12-05 04:15 pm (UTC)

From:

volitaunt

I know! Isn't it great?

[ Poe pls. ]

Where--uh, little cafe, his part of town. Taako's part of town, I mean. But listen, I flew, I flew over the whole city.

From:

[Not. Great. NOT. GREAT!]

How did you even get him to do that?! Why did you ask to be turned into a bird? You could've been eaten!

[She lost you once, gdmit, she doesn't want to find out you were almost in someone's stomach!]

I'm coming to get you. Bird, human, whatever, I'm getting you now.

From:

volitaunt

He said he could, I thought about it, I asked him! And nothing could have eaten me, I was a giant eagle.

[ JUST BRUSHING THAT CONCERN OFF NBD. ]

I'm fine, Rey, I'm fantastic. Human. And fantastic, but I was that before.

From:

And did you think what he may ask of you in return?

[Not that she doesn't trust Taako, she's beginning to trust him, but considering her life as a scavenger nothing was free. There was always a price to be paid, and damnit she nearly lost you Poe!]

Are you thinking of asking him to do it again?

[She suddenly feels like she's chastising a child rather than her friend who happens to be a grown man.]

From:

volitaunt

It's fine. I trust him.

[ Nothing is going to harsh his buzz rn.

A pause while he thinks about it, but it doesn't take a lot of thinking. ] Yes. I mean, think about how many different birds there are. Think what I could learn.

From:

[There is a long, exasperated sigh. part of her knows she should be supporting him in this, but the other part was scared of losing him again. But...he knew what he was getting into. He is an adult...and if he was ever in trouble, she would know, right?

Hopefully that thought doesn't come back to haunt her.]

You could learn something and apply it to your X-Wing or the shuttle. [She said softly, slowly coming around, not trying to kill his buzz and trying to be supportive.]

Just...don't become a bird permanently, okay?

From:

volitaunt

Please, and never sit behind the stick of an X-wing again? [ He's too giddy to really think about that possibility, to even consider that something might go wrong and leave him trapped. All he wants to do right now is make a billion notes on the way the wind felt under his wings, the way he used it to bank, rise, dive. ]

Force. It was amazing, Rey, it was amazing.

From:

You could end up loving to fly without the need of an engine.

[She's teasing a little, again, slowly coming around to this...notion.]

I can only imagine.

From:

volitaunt

A bird doesn't get to be out in the stars.

[ That's all there is to it, really. He would never give up that part of the sky, not for anything. ]

You could try it. I'm just saying.

From:

No, it doesn't.

[But one never knows. If he enjoys being a bird, it could..maybe mess with his mind? Maybe make him miss that part of the sky?

Ah!! What?!]

You mean change into a bird? With you? [And then Finn may get left out.

No. No. She is not going to consider this at all. She has to figure out how to be a Jedi. A JEDI DOESN'T TURN INTO A BIRD.]

From:

bythehand

[ Taako and Loki's world domination prank hour may or may not have uh. Really just been an overall bad time. For Finn. The holoprojector he got from the ice maze has left him with a lot more space devoted to thinking back lately, maybe that's put him on edge.

It's hard to keep shoving down what you dredge up every time you look at an old records photo.

Once they hit the "freedom is a lie, we'll bring order" rhetoric, he's about tapped out on paying close attention. Finn is in fact fully set off, and en route to the room to bust out the bug out bags he may or may not have assembled while dreading something just like this happening.

(Poe will thankfully keep him from throwing the room into total ransacked disarray in his attempt to put together supplementary supplies, but there may still be a mess they're working on by the time Rey gets back. This week on "don't worry, it wasn't robbers": blind panic.)

But while he's en route, he still has priorities. At least one priority. Rey is the priority. So like hey what's up, who has two thumbs and hates this entire quarantine and is ready to climb the dang walls. ]

Rey, where are you, are you safe?

From:

[It takes a few rings until Rey picks up. She had to take a deep breath and center herself. Her emotions couldn't bleed into her voice. Between Poe and that stupid, idiotic post by Taako...this was not her day.]

Finn? [She can see a tightness in his voice.]

Yes, I'm fine. I'm out walking about the area. What's wrong?

[Translation: Are you hurt? Do we need to leave? What's going on?]

From:

bythehand

[ She answered. Thank... the Force? Thank whatever. Thank something. Rey answered.

Finn heaves a sigh of relief that comes out as more of a forceful singular puff, fraying at the edges. Every time he's stopped mid-trip to wonder if he's overreacting, he hears we will bring order, and it runs up his spine and it sinks claws into the back of his neck and he's left with a very visceral determination that he absolutely can't do this.

Get what matters and run. It makes more sense than anything else right now. Perhaps not his calmest or most reasonable day, though, this one. ]

Okay-- [ operation pull himself together and think longer term than two seconds is a go. ]

We need to get moving, there's-- I don't know what to call it, it doesn't look good. I've had some bags packed for a while just in case, I'm going to the room to grab them. I can get Poe if he's there, but we're gonna need to regroup. If we're fast we can get out of the city before anything starts happening.

From:

[The sigh is worrying. It sounds like Finn is trying to collect himself, or figure out what he wants to say...what was bothering him?

And then he starts talking about moving and leaving the city.]

What? Finn, no. We can't leave. You don't want to go beyond that wall, there isn't anything there!

[Just lots of rubble and things that she didn't want to get too close to.]

What's going on? Why are you upset?

From:

bythehand

[ One day he's gonna tell someone to run with him and it'll just happen. That's not true, he already knows it's not true. All his friends are dig in their heels types. All two of them. ]

Wh- haven't you seen the network? We really don't have time to worry about what's past the wall! Where can we rendezvous?

From:

[One day, Finn will be able to explain why they need to run without Rey or Poe prompting that question. ]

The network--oh.

[She pauses recalling the post that Taako and that idiot made.]

I'm by the training area of the Guard, but Finn, we don't have to go! I spoke to Taako and it was.. [She sighs] It was a bad joke. They're not taking over.

They're not.

From:

bythehand

I don't really have time to debate this, either!

[ There's almost dry amusement there, a sharp sliver of it that aligns with his momentum. ]

Can we just- come to the housing building, okay, we'll talk there. Okay? We'll figure it out.

[ By then he will probably have been talked down from actively carrying his friends into the forest, and uhhh. Might have an apology at the ready. For this whole thing. ]

From:

[Finn is being very stubborn about this, and it's probably for the best that she rushes over. Just to keep him from packing things, or trying to pack everything.

No wait, he's already done that. She's getting her things and heading out.]

I'm on my way, I'll be there in ten, fifteen minutes tops. Can you stay still until then?

From:

bythehand

[ It's better than nothing or another outright refusal. ]

Of course I can. I wouldn't go anywhere without you. [ That's the whole point, he thinks. ]

From:

[...That does touch her. He wouldn't go anywhere without her, or Poe.]

Same..I'll be there soon.

[And then in ten minutes, she was coming through the door, panting a little but she's there. She practically ran all the way over here.]

Finn?

From:

bythehand

[ Well, Finn is definitely still here. There are three identical and pretty well-packed bug out bags dumped unceremoniously in the middle of the floor, and a fourth one that's half-full. From where it's been set down, it looks like a gaggle of very random stuff was just kinda shoved in there. Like, tear the room apart, grab a kitchen sponge, grab a washcloth, blind panic packing style.

He has at least, by this point, been talked down from ransacking Poe's room and physically carrying his friends past the wall. He does not perhaps look at his most calm (.... as calm as he generally is). He's sort of perched on the edge of the couch, but when Rey says his name, he's really quick to spring up. ]

Rey. [ welcome to Guilt Town, he's the only citizen. Finn folds his hands in front of him, an unconscious nervous gesture. ] Sorry. I'm-- you know, I wasn't really thinking, I just. I heard them and I just went, but I know it's.

[ Okay he can't say for sure he knows it's not serious, 100%. He's still waiting for that shoe to drop eventually. He's always waiting for it. But he knows either way he won't... wind up going anywhere.

He doesn't have excuses, he's just got his choices. And also some shame. Not for wanting to run or trying to run, just sort of in general. ]

I'm sorry.

From:

[Rey shouldn't be surprised to see the room in the state that it's in, but she is. She didn't think someone could pack so quickly and shove everything into three backpacks. Those bags were supposed to be all of their things and their world if they needed to leave. She can't blame Finn for reacting how he did...but this was a bit overkill.

However, she doesn't look upset. Looking at Finn, he already feels guilty for what's happened. Her eyes soften at him, moving to him and taking a seat next to him. One hand moves to rest on his knee, trying to be comforting, trying to be reassuring that it's okay. He made a mistake, they've all made those.]

It's okay. If this were any other circumstance...packing up everything and getting ready to leave...it would've been an option.

[The other option would've been to fight and protect those who can't defend themselves, but of course, she would've made sure Finn and Poe were fine. They were in this together, and they would leave together, come hell or high water.]

You don't need to apologize. [And her hand moves from his knee to rest on top of his to give them a squeeze.]

It's okay.

From:

bythehand

[ Any other circumstance, she says. He's not sure what kind of circumstances those would be. He's not sure he believes something could get Rey and Poe to cut and run, long-term.

They're both very good at that. Digging in their heels, thinking about standing and fighting, protecting innocent people. ]

I'd feel worse if I didn't apologize.

[ Finn cares about doing the right thing. He knows, generally, what the right thing to do is. If he sees someone who needs help, he'll try to help. But he's burnt out on causes. We will bring order is a sharp spike that cuts into him before he can think it away. Causes take children and scrub away at them until they grow into blank slates, and he gets to choose what matters to him now that he's not a blank slate anymore. If Rey and Poe don't run, he won't run.

But only because they're the things that matter. ]

I'll do better next time. If there's a next time. It won't happen again.

[ He's always been pretty good at self-correction. ]

From:

[Any other circumstance, as in, if they really had no other option but to run, then she would do it. But if there was the chance to fight, she would take it. Rey wasn't one to run away from a problem, except when it came to personal issues, but that was for another day.

She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she ran and wasn't able to help others.

Rey can understand where he's coming from. She was ready to start a fight against someone she thought of as a friend against..whatever the hell Loki was. Their words, their dramatics...it was something the First Order would do. She can't imagine the feelings or thoughts that went through Finn's mind when he heard it. It made her think back to when they first met, and how he wanted to go to the outer rim and get as far away from the First Order as possible.]

Hopefully it won't. I think Taako figured out how much of a bad idea the entire thing was...

[She moved closer to him, giving him a side hug then turned into a full on hug.]

I was ready to contact you and Poe, figure out what we needed to do to prepare ourselves...and you took the initiative. That's not a bad thing, Finn.

[Taking the initiative that is, rather than waiting for someone to give him an order. But being prepared and having things at the ready was something Rey could get behind.]

But..maybe we can figure out an emergency pack of something. Just in case a natural disaster or something else happens, we're ready.

From:

bythehand

[ He definitely won't say no to a hug right now. Rey is solid, warm, an anchor. Sometimes getting to touch someone is-- grounding, grounding is a good word. With Rey and with Poe. It keeps him tethered.

That's not a bad thing smooths down one or two rough patches on his mind that he hadn't quite taken stock of yet.

They didn't get mad, neither of them. He's not sure why that possibility held such a visceral fear for him, because between the three of them, they've passed more than enough bickering back and forth. But for this, it did.

The fear of being found out as not right, somehow, maybe. Flawed. Sometimes he makes a mistake and thinks it's only a matter of time until the investment isn't worthwhile. ]

I think that's a good idea. Just in case. Not a fan of being caught off-guard.

From:

brightline

hey Rey, how's it going?

so you probably heard there's a big dance thing coming up. two things:

1. I am putting my name down on your dance card like right now
2. you want me to take you shopping? no offense but you don't seem like the type who knows where to find a pretty dress

From:

It’s fine. I’m over my cold, and happy to be out and about.

I didn’t know there’s a dance—I’m assuming it’s like a party?

And why would I need a card?
....you mean I can’t wear my normal clothes?

From:

brightline

good, I'm glad you're feeling better.

sort of like a party, with dancing and stuff, more formal, I guess. 'dance card' is just a saying, it just means I'd like to dance with you.

and I mean, you could, but it's way more fun to dress up. and you'd look really good in a pretty dress.

From:

Thank you. I hope you e been well.

Why would you want to dance with someone who doesn’t know how to dance?

I don’t know about that. Is there a rule about dressing up? Like you have to?

From:

brightline

oh me? I've been fine. if there's anything I can do to help with recovery like heat up a can of soup or something let me know?

you don't really have to know any steps or anything, you just kinda sway, believe me, when I was like 14 I had no idea but I did it all the time. or I could show you some moves if you want.

not really a rule, I don't think? if you'd really hate it tell me no, I just really want to get you in a beautiful dress.

From:

Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. If anything I need to eat healthier. So no more ramen.

I find that hard to believe that you didn’t have any ‘moves’ when you were that young. I can....sway or give it a shot.

No? I’ve never been in a dress before so....I wouldn’t know where to look. But...I’ll keep an open mind and we can go looking for a dress. Sound fair?

From:

brightline

no wonder you got sick if you've been eating ramen. who's feeding you, girl??

really? wow, that's a compliment. I admit I've always been a pretty good dancer but I think I got that from my mom you know?

you've never been in a dress? this is gonna be an a d v e n t u r e

that's fair for sure. so what do I owe you in return for dress shopping?

From:

My self? It was similar to what was on my planet and it was instant. I have a cookbook and doing better now. No need to worry. :p

I guess? You seem to be good at a lot of things, doesn’t surprise me you’d be good at dancing too.

...should I be scared?

Nothing? You don’t owe me anything. It’s something we could try and just see where it goes.

From:

brightline

[Well that's freaking cute, did she just use an emote???]

nice nice. I'm a pretty okay cook so if you need any help let me know. you can stop by my place anytime btw and use my kitchen or pool or watch a movie or whatever. ;)

no. you're safe with me. promise.

hey it sounds like it's a big step outside your comfort zone, I gotta make it worth your while

From:

[Yes, she did. Be proud. She's slowly learning how to use them.]

So I can visit at any time? I wouldn't want to impose, but I'm willing to hang out after the Guard or anything. :)

[This is not flirting in text form. This is Rey being nice and just friendly.]

I intend to hold you to that promise.

No, it's just friends hanging out. It's...a step outside my comfort zone, but it'll be fun to hang out with you, so...really, you don't owe me anything.

From:

brightline

[Frankly? ADORABLE. And he's totally going to take it as flirting, okay?]

yeah, it's not like I'm lacking for room. you ever seen my place?

alright, alright. but I'm gonna buy you the dress. you can get me lunch if you want, so we're even.

From:

Actually, I have. I nearly got lost in your home, and didn't realize it was your home. I went to visit Ivar after he was injured and wanted to make sure he was okay.

You're assuming I'm going to find a dress I like and willing to wear. But...tentative deal.

When do you want to go shopping?

[Yes, it could be taken as flirting without Rey knowing any better.]

From:

brightline

nice, and yeah you should come hang out whenever, play video games or whatever. I'd like that.

[The truth is that he fills his house up with people as much as he can because he's lonely. He's been lonely since the war ended, for years.]

fine, fine, tentative deal. I'll take it. if you don't find a dress you like and will wear I'll get you lunch in return sometime.

whenever. maybe tomorrow? give ourselves some time before the party.

From:

I've never played a 'video game' before. Is it anything like a battle simulation?

[Being lonely is something she knows about. If he wants her over, she could visit whenever he liked.]

Just let me know when you'd like me over, I'll stop by.

Okay, that is a deal I can take.

Tomorrow would work. I can meet you at your place? I don't think it'll take much time.

[Because how many dresses could they possibly find that she would look nice in?

Hours. It'll take hours.]

From:

brightline

depends what kind you play. you have ones that are like battle simulations and some that are like racing cars or planes or whatever, some are like sports, some are like stories with battles. I've got lots of all kinds if you wanna try them and see what you like.

like I said, whenever. my place is yours. I tend to not wake up before 11 though fair warning, so I might be asleep. I'll give you the visitor code for the security system tomorrow. speaking of which, let's meet at my place at noon, grab brunch and head out?

From:

I could try one of them. I used to run flying simulations when I lived on Jakku. It passed the time when there were sandstorms.

You’re more of a night owl then? Or do you enjoy sleep that much? I won’t come any earlier than noon, promise.

Okay, that would work. I’ll see you tomorrow. :)

[ ooc: WHY YOU MAKE ME SHIP THIS SO MUCH?! ]

From:

brightline

flying simulations sounds kind of fun. I bet you'd kill at MarioKart though.

[God, how to answer that? Is there a non-pathetic way to say he just doesn't sleep much at all? Nope.]

you could say that. my sleep schedule's all over the place. you get used to that when you spend half your life in a war, you know?

anyway yeah, see you then. looking forward to it.

[ooc: can't. be. tamed.]

From:

I have no idea what that is, but I can give it a shot if you like.

[Being honest with Rey does have a benefit to it. She trusts a person more, and she's more likely to share something about herself too.]

Sort of...but I know what it's like to have sleepless nights. It was one of the factors in me falling ill. I couldn't sleep without being reminded by something and wasn't pleasant.

Try not to get into too much trouble between now and then.

[ooc: /WEEPS]

From:

brightline

racing game where you can totally sabotage your enemies. it's cute and cartoony, you know, really fun party game.

[And there it is. Thinking about something unpleasant - yeah that sounds a lot like nightmares.]

yeah. it's either a nighttime mission after a busy day and 2 hours to sleep, or it's nightmares and waking up screaming. so much fun.

me? trouble? never.

[ooc: congrats she's the first he's confessed that nightmare thing to.]

From:

Wouldn't that take away from interacting with people? I thought that's what you do at a party.

[For this next part...and everything afterwards, she changes it to voice.]

I'm sensing sarcasm in that text...but... [She debates about how much she should tell him and settles on a few details. Not as much as she told Cisco, but just so he knows he's not alone.] I know the feeling--waking up nearly screaming, panting, and wondering if you're still dreaming or if it's happening all over again.

And, you do get into trouble. You seem like the sort.

From:

brightline

[He switches to audio when she does, though he hesitates for a few moments, because voice is more vulnerable than text, it's easier to give too much away, and he's not a really someone who likes having his feelings out there.

But he does speak, after a few moments.]

Well, I mean, you get to trash talk each other and stuff, while you're playing.

[A moment of quiet, and then she'll be able to hear him exhaling roughly.]

Rey, I am pretty much always being sarcastic. Seriously, though, yeah, that's been my life for...man, six years now? You ever do the thing where you totally wear yourself out so you can just sleep without dreaming?

Naaaah, I've never gotten in trouble, not even once.

[You can practically hear the smirk.]

From:

[Hearing someone's voice does make it harder to hide expressions and feelings, but it makes it easier to understand someone. Easier than going back and rereading several lines of text and trying to find the right tone for it in her head.]

You mean get the person riled up and have them mess up? Isn't that cheating?

[There's a pause on her side, wondering if she went too far by telling him that. If she was prying too much and should back away, but...she moves forward with it.]

I have; working and trying to ignore everything else and pass out without any dreams. Or...passing out from hunger and exhaustion, you don't have any dreams then either.

[So...that's how shitty her life has been up until recently.]

I can tell you're smirking, you know.

[So that means he has to be lying...just a little...but it's said in a teasing fashion so...]

From:

brightline

It's not cheating, it's the whole point of a party game. You interact while you're playing. Really fun.

[She can probably hear him swallowing a bit hard, and he laughs softly - it's not a laugh at her, but a laugh full of understanding. A little helpless and a little bitter all at once.]

Yep, I've done that one too. The only thing worse is when you're starving and exhausted and you fall asleep beside a campfire and then you start talking in your sleep and your best friend and the girl you've got a crush on and basically everyone else you care about hears it.

[He definitely gets having a shitty life. Definitely.]

Man, I'm basically always smirking.

From:

It sounds like you're cheating if you're distracting someone from playing at their best.

[She can hear that swallow and wonders if they should stop talking. This was more than she wanted to tell him, but he continues to share more with her and....it's sad. She's had her far share of worse; waking up alone, or crying one's self to sleep.]

I'm sorry, Marco. [There's no pity in her voice, there's sympathy, and understanding. She did buy some incense to help her with sleeping, but..] I have a spare incense that I bought a while ago. It's suppose to help with getting a peaceful night's sleep. I'll bring it over.

[Because he needs it more than her. Rey can handle it, and she'll monitor her sleep a bit closer. No need for another hospital stay.]

Yeah, well, you're smirking a whole lot right now. [Rey lets out a soft chuckle, a faint smile on her face.]

From:

brightline

[He can see it, the minute she shifts from sharing things about herself to not sharing, and abruptly he feels a little stupid. A little vulnerable. And both of those are things Marco really cannot tolerate being. Chewing his lip for a moment, he regains his composure, then huffs out a laugh, brushing it off.]

It's fine. I'm not looking for sympathy, it was just kinda cool to run into someone who gets it.

[It's as dismissive and breezy as he can manage.]

Of course. Anyway, if you really want me to use that incense, I'd like to. I'm not going to take it from you though, why don't we share?

Edited Date: 2018-01-12 02:30 am (UTC)

From:

[ And now Rey feels like she’s misstepped. There’s a long pause from her, trying to figure out what to say in a less than blunt way but fuck it. ]

I’m trying to be sympathetic and understanding without seeming like I’m trying to one up you or anything. And, I don’t have anything compared to that—especially having friends around because I didn’t have them on Jakku. It’s been me and always has.

[ She says softly, hope no he understands that she wasn’t trying to pity him or anything. ]

How can you share incense? Besides, I bought more, it’s not like I’m running low...

Or I’ll stop sleeping for a while. [ Light sarcasm. ]

From:

brightline

[He can't help it, when she says so bluntly what she's trying to do, he laughs softly - not at her, but at how blunt it was.]

Haha, well don't worry, you managed it. And yeah, having friends makes things a lot easier.

[Except when they die - and that train of thought, that's something he has to shut down really fast to keep things light and breezy like this. Marco's cried himself to sleep and woken up alone, his life has been hard since he was only 9 years old. But he also knows he's not the only one. It's just a bit of a relief to be around someone else who's as damaged as he won't admit he is.]

I mean, if you have more, that's cool, but you can share incense by burning it when you're in the room with someone else and then having a nap together.

Better than no sleep, right?

From:

Yes...it does.

[Having friends was something she wanted, but she wanted to be with her family again. To know why they left her on Jakku and why they didn't come back for her.

Marco has someone who understands what loneliness is. Who knew it as intimately as she knew herself, how it was more of a companion than anything else.]

Especially if they really are friends and not scamming you for parts.

[The last part is more said for herself, simply amazed that she has friends who haven't taken advantage of her or left her behind. It's...something she didn't think would happen.

There's a faint chuckle from her, shaking her head a little at him, shifting a little to draw one knee to her chest.]

Better than not sleeping, but you'd be willing to take a nap with me? Sounds a bit silly, don't you think? [To trust him enough to be in the same room, let her guard down and sleep? That's a first for her.

Sure, she's fallen asleep with Poe and Finn in the same room, but that was different.]

From:

brightline

For sure. The kind of friends that are more like family. You know they'll have your back no matter what and sometimes you hate them, but in the end, they're worth trusting. The only ones worth trusting.

[And that last bit...well, it says a lot about him. The fact he was so willing to say it without barely batting an eyelash, well, that says even more about him.

When she chuckles at his suggestion, he makes an annoyed little huff - entirely put on, of course - and the smile is obvious in his voice when he speaks again.]

I mean, I guess. But we've pretty much already covered how bad sleeping alone sucks, so why not try it a different way? Different blankets, I promise. I'll be a total gentleman.

Edited Date: 2018-01-12 07:09 am (UTC)

From:

[It does say a lot about him, more than Rey would've thought otherwise. He values his friends a lot, and she can't blame him for it.]

Yeah, and...it's...weird at the same time? To know you have a different family than the one you're born into. Different from the family I was waiting for to come back.

[That should give him more insight to the life she's lead without getting too engrossed with the details. Her voice sounds distant then, still wondering if her family was out there...if they thought about her the way she thought about them.

Yes, they've covered how bad sleeping alone is, but it's the first time she's actually hearing someone tell her she could come over to take a nap with them. Strange, but not entirely unwelcomed.]

Uh-huh. You're ridiculous sometimes, but that's what makes you, you. [And she wouldn't want it any other way.] What about pillows? I don't think it would be wise if we only shared one.

From:

brightline

[Marco makes a soft sound in his throat, a noise of agreement.]

I get you. My mom left when I was pretty little and we thought she was dead. My dad kind of gave up on life for a while, so I had to look after myself when I was a kid, then I fought really hard to get my mom back when I realized she wasn't dead after all.

[A pause, and then he continues.]

I'm lucky I got her back. But the family I had in the meantime was just as important, you know? Those people, they were the ones who had my back and chose to be around me when they didn't really have to.

[And that's that. He lets it go, and when she asks about pillows, he laughs again.]

I have a ton of pillows, seriously. And if you didn't want to share my bed or something we could always use the couches in the main room. The only drawback to that is that people who live in the house can come through there. They're all good people though.

From:

[Rey listens, taking in each word and finding Marco is stronger than she would've thought. The pain to think one's mother was gone, only to find her alive and having to get her back. She couldn't imagine that, being close to someone you loved and having to fight to get them back...how hard he had to fight, and what he gave up or lost in the process.[

Yes, you are lucky you got her back. And luckier you found people to be friends with--a family you created and chose.

[A pause as she chooses her words and how much she was willing to tell him.]

Finn, I don't know if you've met him yet, but he was my first friend. I had been living alone on Jakku since I was young, probably six..maybe seven, I can't remember any more. I was just...left, and I was waiting for my family to return. I didn't meet Finn until...[Stars, had it really been that long ago?] Months ago, not to long before I was brought here.

[The whole loneliness thing and being forced to take care of herself...she knew that all too well.]

I already know Ivar lives in your home. I don't know if I know anyone else who lives there. It might be better if we used your room...I don't think I would be able to relax if someone could walk by.

[And if she freaked out from a nightmare, there would be only one witness rather than multiple ones.]

From:

brightline

Good. I'm glad you have friends now, seriously. Having friends is pretty great. You should introduce me to Finn sometime, he sounds cool.

[It's almost weird, how much he and Rey have in common now that they've actually talked about things. Weird and a little scary, almost.]

Yeah Ivar does, and a few others. Lola Pacini, Nico di Angelo, and Ivar's kid sister, Gyda, though I think she's moving in with her dad soon.

[Exhaling, he shrugs and then makes a noise in his throat.]

I'd rather sleep in my room too. I'm not a huge fan of people walking by while I sleep even if I know them and they're cool.

When do you want to do this? Maybe like, the night before we go shopping?

From:

You’d like him and there’s Poe too. They’re both from my world and Poe loves flying. He’s a pilot back home.

[ And his love of flying has gotten him in trouble in the past.

They really have too much in common but...was that really a bad thing?]

Oh, I know Lola. A little. She’s okay, I guess. [ Not the most pleasant person to be around but whatever. ]

I didn’t mnow Ivar’s sister was here. I knew his father was.

[ But as for when this should take place. ]

Well...,would tonight work? Considering I thought we would go shopping tomorrow?

From:

brightline

Oh Poe? He's your friend. I've met him a few times, we're on the Perimeter Guard thing together, flying the shuttle. He's cool.

[Marco's been in trouble more than once, that's for sure, though usually not for his love of flying. The way Rey talks about Lola makes him curious, though, and he hums in his throat.]

Okay? I mean, she's like human cotton candy and she cooks so good, at least in my experience.

[And a bit of a pause before he answers.]

Tonight would be great. We can watch a movie too, if you want? Or just talk?

From:

Yes, he is. He is the best pilot in our world, even Finn agrees. I think we're all part of the Perimeter Guard, I don't think Finn in the Ariel division like Poe, you and I are.

[And if he and Poe have met, good. At least it'll be easier to tell her friends about who she's going to see. Not that she would forsee a problem with it.

As for Lola...there's a pause from Rey as she tries not to say anything poorly of the girl.]

She's very different than I am, and the times we have been around each other are when we're stuck under something and have to kiss.

[And now he'll hear some stuff being shuffled around as she starts to gather a few things.]

We could do either or. Cisco and I watched a movie together, they're very much like holo-vids, but two denominational.]

From:

[ Getting a constant barrage of texts is just one of he perks of being friends with Cisco Ramon. Even though he sees Rey often for work, he still ends up texting her at least once a day - not in any systematic way, but just because he likes chatting with her. Today is no exception, though instead of his usual jokes or memes or silly selfies, he sends a slightly more serious question: ]

hey i wanted to ask
is everything going okay?
you were like super quiet yesterday on our trip out

From:

[Rey had come to like and enjoy the texts Cisco sent to her. She doesn't mind how many times a day they talk. He's easy to talk to, and she does initiate contact too. Lately though, since the ball, she had been keeping to herself. Thinking over things.]

Yeah, everything's fine. I just have a lot on my mind. Nothing concerning just, something that I haven't given much thought to until recently.

From:

you know you can talk to me about anything, right?
concerning or not
that's what friends are for.

[ He had thought she was being a little quieter, since the ball, but Cisco also knows his own penchant towards paranoia and blowing things out of proportion. Rey is new to the whole having-people-in-her-life thing. Maybe it's a coincidence. Certainly, it wasn't worth bringing up, lest she think he was criticizing. ]

From:

I know.

...do you think people can change?

From:

that's a tough one.

i think people are changing all the time
i don't think anybody ever stays the same
not long-term

but it's never a good idea to approach somebody thinking about who they could be
or who you want them to be
rather than who they are
you gotta judge people on their past actions

From:

And if their past actions were misguided? If you knew or could sense there's something or some good in them...wouldn't it be worth taking a risk?

Or do you leave them alone and just wait for things to get worse?

From:

this is starting to sound pretty specific.

[ He has.... suspicions, but he's not going to voice them. Yet. ]

i don't think just waiting & hoping for the best helps anyone
but i gotta admit i'm distrustful of "sensing" things like that
i don't know if you're talking about a force thing
or just gut instinct
but i know what it's like to delude yourself
to want someone to be good so badly that you overlook stuff
and see goodness where there isn't any

that's why i said what i said about actions
if their actions change, you can decide if you give them a second chance
but it's not up to you to "take a risk" and try to change someone else
that whole letting people make their own decisions thing again

From:

I’m no deluding myself if I’ve seen a change in him. If I’ve been in a position where he could have killed me but he didn’t...

And being around him feels different, but to everyone else he’s still the same.

I just feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with this. And it would be easier to hate him and I can’t—I won’t do it.

From:

[ Cisco's reply is a little slower this time. Definitely about Kylo, then. He wants to be sure he's giving Rey enough credit, that he's not allowing his own tendency towards paranoia to tread over her kinder instincts. ]

well, that's something
not killing you is a good start
that's not just words, that's something substantial

[ It's fortunate this is a text conversation so Cisco's tone doesn't give him away: he's still skeptical as hell. ]

no one said you have to hate him
i just want you to be safe
take things slow
treating you okay is a good first start
but it's not enough. he's gotta show he can do that to others.

[ Cisco feels stuck, too - wanting to support Rey, but frightened for her too. ]

it can be blinding
when someone who treats other people coldly doesn't treat you that way
it makes you feel special, and wanted, like you're the exception
but... in my experience, you gotta be careful of that
people can use that to manipulate you

From:

[Rey is also glad they're talking to each other in text. If she were speaking now, she would be talking in circles over and over again It sounds crazy, really it does, but there are feelings...and she can feel his conflict. Maybe it isn't too late for Ren to come around...]

I think it would be easier to hate him, to just see him as this...monster who has no care for life. Who doesn't care about anyone else except his goals and his own power...but he's not like that. The more I talk to him...the more I find myself unable to turn away.

You're right though. He could be manipulating me--he has the power to try with the Force alone. This could all be a farce.
He has to show he can be kind to others and not throw a tantrum--but I think people like to push his buttons.

[Like one person they both know. The one person who she probably won't be able to convince of her plan, and someone else too. Yet, it's so much more complicated. She felt...safe when they slept together on his bed, and she didn't recoil when they kissed...

But like hell she's willing to tell Cisco that. Not yet anyway. She doesn't want to say anything yet. Not for the fuss, but...it's a precious memory of not fighting and simply being with another person who understood loneliness as well as her. Someone who understood that so well.]

He didn't start off this way, and I can't help but wonder if Snoke--the person who changed him--if he found me on Jakku, if I would've turned out the same way.

From:

i hope you're right. i do.
i love a good redemption story.

[ Plus, it would mean there wouldn't be a horrible looming threat for Finn, and Poe, and the rest of the Quarantine. Cisco cares about that much more than about this Kylo guy, himself. ]

i get you.
but being good means being good even when people are pushing your buttons
not just when it's easy.
if he wants to reform or whatever he's gotta learn that, or else none of it matters.

[ Grown men ought to know better than to throw temper tantrums, after all. If Rey was able to convince him that his more loathsome beliefs were wrong, it still wouldn't matter, if he keeps an explosive temper and ends up hurting people regardless. ]

can i tell you something?
what ifs don't matter.
maybe you would have. maybe you wouldn't.
circumstances can mess people up bad but at a certain point it's your responsibility the person you are
nobody starts off bad
but if you're talking about kylo ren (i mean obviously you are) he's not, like, a kid?
he's a grown up, and at some point no matter how shitty your shitty past
you gotta look at it and say okay, that happened
now who am i gonna choose to be.
you know?

From:

I hope so too. He can be redeemed, but he has to want it.

[Believe her, it would be so much easier to have Kylo Ren be good. It would be so much less stress and everyone could get along.]

Yes..I am talking about him--and thank you for not brushing me off or telling me to simply give up. If I were talking to Poe about this...he wouldn't listen, and he has his reason--all good and valid and in any other circumstances, I would be the same---I was the same.

I haven't had the chance to talk to anyone else about this because of how...sensitive it is.

The thing is...I don't think he's ever had the chance to wonder who he is supposed to be. He's had it in his head for a long time, I think, that he's meant to follow in the foot steps of someone else, someone who was also evil but he came around in the end. And without any of those negative influences...he might have the chance to think, to maybe grow.

But...that's all assuming he wants to. I've seen that growth in him, but it could be a farce. But I want to believe that is isn't.

From:

i understand.
there was someone who hurt me a lot, back in my world.
he hurt my friends, too. and eddie. all of us in different ways.
i could never really talk to them about him.
it was all too complicated, because they were involved. too high stakes.
eddie and i can, now, but...
sometimes it is easier to talk it out with an outsider

well i hope so
better late than never i guess

i'm not gonna tell you to give up
or that what you're doing is stupid
i've got no reason not to trust your judgment
and i'm not your big brother or anything tho sometimes it almost feels like it

just promise me you'll be careful, okay?
and you won't blame yourself if he fails?

[ And if he hurts Rey in the process... well, Cisco might take a page out of Reverb's book, just this once. ]

From:

You view me as your little sister?

[ Cisco, that is so sweet and it makes him more endearing to Rey. She really does appreciate him listening to her because she doesn’t have anyone else to talk to about this.]

I’ll be careful, but it means a lot you’re listening. I won’t blame myself for anything he does. He has to answer to his own actions, even if he decides to redeem himself.

He...he’s different right now. At least from what I’ve seen...

[ Fuck it, she’ll open up a little more about it. ]

We has a snowball fight—no one got hurt but he managed to dump snow on me..and helped me up. We...actually smiled and laughed.

No malice. No intent to actually fight. Just laughed and had fun.

From:

i do.

[ Now he does wish this conversation were in person, because he's a little worried that it might be crossing some sort of line, feeling that way about her. Telling her he feels that way. Rey has been deprived of a family for so long. She might not appreciate him pretending he can ever be like family to her. ]

i hope that's okay.

[ No way to know except by asking. He's glad at least to hear her saying she doesn't plan on blaming herself if the whole redemption thing goes poorly (which he still suspects it might). When she talks about the snowball fight, the first thing that comes into his mind is that maybe Rey has a bit of a crush on this guy, but he stops himself. After all, she'd been so adamant about not wanting that to be a part of her life. He shouldn't make assumptions, shouldn't superimpose his own expectations. ]

sounds like it was a good time.
i'm glad it's not all like... with him and poe.

From:

[ If they were talking, Rey would’ve had to clear her throat a few times. It’s very sweet and touching. ]

That’s fine.. It’s...nice you think of me that way. ...you’re important to me, Cisco. Very important...and it means a lot that you think of me that way.

I don’t think I’m that “little”. Are you really older than me? :p

[Why does Cisco think she can have feelings—romantic feelings for someone else? It’s weird and it’s...something she doesn’t want to think about it right now.]

It was...fun. I had never thought he could laugh.

Me too, but it could be because he’s trying to manipulate me but...it didn’t feel that way.

He was at the hospital too. He visited and stayed a while.

From:

i'm 24 years old, i'm pretty sure that's at least a little older than you

i hope you're right
it never feels that way in the moment, though
not with the sort of people who are really dangerous

[ Cisco is, in hindsight, a little anxious at the thought of how helpless Rey was in the hospital. It's good that Ren hadn't hurt her, but what if he'd tried? Cisco should've been looking out for her better when she was in need of it... ]

for whatever it's worth
when it comes to instincts about people
i trust eddie's intuition more than anybody else
i'm not just saying that cuz he's my boyfriend

that guy, the one i mentioned
who hurt me a lot, who i thought was somebody i could trust
none of the rest of us suspected a thing
but eddie had a bad feeling about him right from the start
it was like he could just... tell.

Edited Date: 2018-01-27 01:35 am (UTC)

From:

I think it is. I don't know how old I really am, don't remember when I was born so. I'm about 19, least that's what the hospital put me as for my age.

[Really, she doesn't remember what her birthday was, and it wasn't like she actually celebrated it when she was on Jakku.

It takes her a while before she sends the next text. She's reading and rereading Cisco's words, honestly taking them to heart and trying to figure out where to go from here. She is conflicted, but she is trying to see the good in Ren, while trying to be careful at the same time.]

I don't know if Eddie's instincts can tell when it comes to Ren, and I wouldn't want to put him in that sort of danger.

I...have this feeling that there's more to Ren than what's there. He is capable of changing...and I think if given the choice..he might. He doesn't have anyone else around him to make him think he has to follow the Dark Side (literally that's what it's called), or follow in his grandfather's footsteps.

I think....he has the chance to figure out who he wants to be...and I can only hope he'll go down a path that's right for him and that doesn't involve going down a dark path.

From:

[ Rey's life really breaks Cisco's heart sometimes. It's probably a good thing that she can't see his face, because he is so, so sad for her. But he does what he usually does, and hides it with cheer. ]

see, 19
little sister
practically a baby.

you should pick a date
for your birthday i mean
any day you want it to be.
that way i can throw you a party
or at the very least buy you a present and sing to you.

(mine's february 10th so don't pick that unless you wanna match)

[ He knows she might not want it to be a large affair. ]

no, i wouldn't want to put him in danger.
(and you're sure YOU'RE not in danger?
because i don't want that either.)

[ But he already knows that Rey is going to do what she wants, regardless of the danger, because that's how she is. Stubborn, reckless, and amazing. Too soft-hearted for her own good. ]

the Dark Side? for real?
wow... melodramatic, but effective i suppose.

From:

[If Rey saw how sad Cisco was for her, she would tell him it wasn't a big deal. People are born, people die eventually. Her life...the date it began wasn't important. She's lived this long, so that should be more important, right?]

I am not an infant. :P

I don't need a party, Cisco. I think I've had enough parties for a while--and you don't need to get me anything. Promise. It's just another day. It comes and goes. It's fine.

[But now she'll have to look up something for Cisco's birthday. His birthday was more important...so there.]

(I'm not in danger. I'm fine. I'm in bed and just...staring off into space and texting you. I'm fine.)

What else would it be called? 'The Bad side'? The Dark Side draws on the opposite of the Light...I'm not the one who gave those sides names. It's just how it is.

From:

i know i don't need to
but it's like with the thanksgiving dinner eddie cooked for all of us
i WANT to, because giving people i care about birthday gifts makes me happy
it's purely selfish you see 😈

i guess you've got a point
it's just extremely ominous
we haven't really got anything like that in my world
so i've never really thought about what you would call it
other than 'evil' i suppose.

From:

[Cisco...why do you have to be stubborn about this? Especially sweet and stubborn and Rey can't bring herself to say no.]

Fine, ONE, gift...and no party. No need to go overboard.

[Because they have better things to do. Because she's not that important...because she thinks his time could be better used elsewhere.]

It is ominous, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I don't know much about it, or the Force. I'm still trying to learn what I can.

From:

🎁
one gift it is
and i never go overboard
i am always exactly on the level of the board

anyway just tell me when you've picked a day!!!!

i get you
if there was someone who could teach me more about my powers
i would want to listen to them
no matter how dangerous they were
just be careful
i know i've said that a million times but i really mean it

From:

Uh-huh. Then why am I picturing you already plotting to give me something like...

Like an actual board and your “one” present is beneath the board. And you telling me you didn’t go over board because nothing is literally above the board?

[ Yes, she made a joke that’s a bit over complicated but she made a joke! ]

I’ll let you know when I’ve picked a day. I’ll try not to forget.

Then you understand the situation I’m in. Poe and Finn have their reasons to be distrustful of him—very excellent reasons, but considering Ren is here, there are things he could show me that aren’t associated with the Dark Side. I’ve been trying to learn on my own but...there isn’t much for me to learn and I don’t want to do anything that could hurt someone.

I haven’t practiced with the lightsaber because of that reason.

From:

i would never do something like that!
(ok maybe i would)

if you forget i'll remind you 😈

i get that.
i'm scared to learn to use my powers because i might hurt someone with them
but also scared that if i don't learn to control them i might hurt someone with them
total catch-22

From:

No, you would. Just to be clever. :)

Fine. :p

Exactly! And I know Poe would be against it completely. He thinks there’s another way, but...really there’s not.

And...Ren gave me a book about the Force. It’s more like a notebook but, he wrote a few things down for me. I looked it over and didn’t sense anything wrong with it. Honestly, it’s more information than I’ve been able to find on my own.

From:

i think you may know me too well.

well, poe doesn't have powers he didn't ask for and doesn't understand, does he?
so of course he doesn't get it. that's not his fault.
he just doesn't know what it's like, how isolating and scary it can be.

information isn't good or evil, and educating yourself (if the book is legit and not dark side propaganda i mean) is never bad

From:

I'm still getting to know you, Cisco.

No, he doesn't have a connection to the Force. But, it was used on him. What Ren did to me, looking into my mind...he did it to another, and for Poe, he doesn't want me to turn into that. He doesn't want me to sink to that level, or be killed by Ren---but he's had chances to, but he hasn't.

...Even when I was sick at the hospital, he was there when I woke up...and stayed with me. We just...talked. Not about his past or anything, just...talked.

I don't think Poe would understand unless he was grounded for months on end and unable to do anything about it.

It doesn't look like it is. It's all in his hand writing--he has really beautiful hand writing, Cisco.

From:

[ Beautiful hand writing? Okay... yeah. Definitely something there. But Cisco's going to keep that opinion to himself for the time being. Rey has trusted him, opened up to him, and the last thing he wants to do is scare her off. Especially if it's not something she's realized for herself yet. ]

just remember you can always talk to me okay?
about the force stuff and the ren stuff and anything, i won't judge
i'm on your side.

From:

How are you doing, Rey? Hospital staff said you checked out some time ago and hadn't returned.

From:

I'm well, thank you.

Yes, I checked out not too long ago, and I know they wanted a follow up visit. I haven't had made time for it.

From:

That pleases me to hear. If you are feeling well enough, perhaps a follow up visit is unnecessary. That is, of course, up to you.

From:

I may go in, just to get them to stop calling me, and sending messages.

How are you, Alexander?

From:

That would be annoying to be hounded. I'm certain they are only looking out for you. Everyone needs that, right? I am well, thank you for asking. Busy getting the labs up and running to their full potential.

From:

There is a fine line between being hounded and being kind or caring. I think after the third message, they crossed the line.

Labs? I didn't know you were a scientist.

From:

I agree with you there. But at least your roommates and friends didn't contract the flu that you did? I'm not, though I do understand some of the lingo. I'm a businessman, so I was put in charge of running the labs.

From:

No, they didn't contact it. Not when I last saw them.

A businessman running a lab? Forgive me, but that does sound a bit strange. What research are you conducting?

From:

Last saw them? You've moved out? My side of it is acquiring contracts, but the lab supports biomedical, mechanical and health research. I'm hoping to find grants and funding a mental health division.

From:

Yes, a studio apartment.

I see...sounds similar to what Cisco does, though his research is to help benefit those in the 'First Responders' unit, paramedics, officers, fire fighters and the like.

From:

I had been given the impression when we first met that you were quite happy with your living arrangement. His research is extremely necessary, especially given the times we live in. However, I don't feel Prometheus should be limited to a single group of people; I want everyone to benefit.

From:

Sometimes...things changed.

It sounds interesting. Perhaps you should look into parting with Cisco, he is a very brilliant young man. Or, look into building other relationships with some of the others here. A lot of very brilliant people here.

From:

Of course. While this may be overstepping bounds, but would you like someone to talk to? I'm about to make dinner, and it's terrible to eat alone. Once the lab is up and running, I fully intend to extend the olive branch. We are all in this together, and we will all benefit from working together.

From:

Yes, you would be overstepping your bounds. I am willing to talk about anything, except that. If you want company....I suppose I could visit you. Return the favor.

Still, wouldn't hurt to get the assistance of other people. I know a few who might be interested--Tony Stark, have you met him? Very brilliant man with armor and a robot.

From:

Very well, I won't mention it again. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, I won't be offended if you refuse. His reputation is well known in this place, yes. He also has the social range of a tablespoon half full of bourbon.

From:

I'm not uncomfortable with the idea, but I don't want to talk about an argument I've had with my friends.

But I am still willing to have dinner with you, if you want.

I see you two know each other well. He seemed nice, we've spoken a few times about science and technology.

From:

That is your prerogative, and no one benefits from discussing certain matters, of course. I will apologize in advance for you having to endure my cooking. It's been some time, but old skills are worth investing in. We know of each other, but there is no particular personal experience. I knew his father better.

From:

No need to apologize. I'm sure your cooking is fine. Better than surviving off of what I had to back on Jakku.

Oh...I didn't know. He doesn't talk about his family, but it's never come up before.

In any case, what time would you like me over?

From:

It hasn't killed me yet, which would likely make my wife proud. I used to be quite good at it, but alas, I grew too busy at times to partake in the activity. No, I can't imagine that he would. I believe that dinner should be ready at seven. Is that alright?

From:

I'm still learning to cook a decent meal, if that helps.

That works out just fine. If you could send me your address, I would appreciate it.

From:

Spices and flavors make the meal. That at least I know, even if the amounts can vary when I try. [Insert communal floor and kitchen area.] What do you like to drink with your meal? Milk?

From:

Indeed they do, but at least you add them. I'm still figuring that part out.

No, thank you. Water will be fine.

I'll see you at 7.

From:

See you at 7.

From:

spellslots

Just so you know. And I'm telling you this because I care deeply for you. Blue raspberry poptarts taste exactly the same as the regular raspberry ones.

From:

I've never had poptarts, so I wouldn't know.

Also, are you drunk, bored, or both?

From:

spellslots

I'm not drunk!

[He's a little stoned. Totally different.]

I cannot believe you haven't had poptarts they're like the easiest and shittiest meal I love them

[Taako, an Actual Chef, also eats untoasted poptarts at 3am]

From:

Then how did you come up with this line of conversation? or did you a whole box of those 'poptart' things?

No? I saw them at the market, but they looked like horrible crackers with paint on them.

They're not a meal. :l

From:

spellslots

I'm eating poptarts right the fuck now and you seemed like a poptarts kinda girl

[Considering she mentioned eating nothing but ramen for a while there.]

Anything is a meal if you eat enough of it :)

From:

If you're that hungry, why not eat something more filling?

[Hey! She didn't know any better at the time!]

Uh-huh. But it's a healthy meal, and it'll make you feel crappy later on.

From:

spellslots

I cook for a living sometimes I just wanna grab whatever outta the freezer and shove it in my mouth

It was this or cold pizza that I'm pretty sure Magnus ordered like two weeks ago and at least poptarts aren't gonna give me food poisoning

From:

Then why not go for hot pockets? Those have to go to be healthier than pop tarts--and they come with different cheeses and things.

In that case....you chose the better item. I don't want to visit you in the hospital--to care for you or to break you out.

From:

spellslots

[hottt pocket 🎶]

There are only two hot pocket temperatures: frozen or molten lava

Aww you'd break me out of hospital? That's the nicest thing anyone has ever offered to do for me

From:

Ha, ha funny.

Isn't that why you wait for it to cool down? So it doesn't burn your tongue?

Unless you were dying, or personally asked me, yes. Come on, I'm sure there are others who would be willing to break you out, like Magnus.

From:

spellslots

I feel like you're kinda missing the right circumstances for hot pockets and pop tarts which is like 3am when you're starving or 2 in the afternoon when you're stoned outta your mind with the munchies

[Neither of those times allow for waiting.]

Magnus would think it was funny that I got stuck there

[Magnus would absolutely break him out of hospital but this is hyperbole, not the truth.]

From:

There hasn't been the 'right' circumstance for me to have hot pockets, pop tarts.

Why would you want to wait until 3 in the morning to eat something?

[If he was hungry, he should eat then--unless something else came up. That she could understand.]

Then he can laugh his ass off while I get you out of the hospital--if it ever came to that.

From:

spellslots

I refuse to believe you've never had insomnia

[Sometimes it's just 3am and you're awake and hungry.]

Would you punch a nurse to rescue me? I gotta know how far you'll go. I'd punch a nurse for you

From:

I have had insomnia, but I don't have an urge to eat at a late hour, not since coming here.

[...why are they talking about punching nurses?]

I wouldn't have to resort to punching a nurse, but if she got in the way of getting you out and keeping me from helping you get better...yes, I'd punch a nurse.

I'd also take down a doctor, if that means anything.

From:

volitaunt

Hey. How are you doing?

From:

I'm fine, listening to the rain.

You?

[It took her a while to reply to the message, surprised that Poe reached out to her. Was he okay?

From:

volitaunt

Fine. Thinking about where we all stand with Hux here now.

Thinking that we'd be better off sticking together.

From:

Hux being here makes things more complicated and I can’t help but wonder if he’s trying to recruit people to the First Order.

It would be best to stick together—have you told Cassian and Jyn about Hux?

From:

volitaunt

That might be a leap. He's got nothing to offer anybody right now. Why, did you see something?

Yeah, they know.

From:

No, I didn't see anything. Considering he is a man who enjoys power, it wouldn't be surprising if he was trying to gather allies, or foot soldiers here.

I'm keeping an eye on the network for anything he posts.

From:

volitaunt

sounds about right.

what about

have you talked to ren recently?

From:

[ It takes Rey a few minutes before she’s able to write back. ]

Only once and that was it.

I don’t have any intention to learn anything from him.

From:

volitaunt

[ There's a thousand things he could say to that. ]

what changed your mind?

From:

[ There’s a thousand things she could say, but would he listen and not judge her for it? ]

I wasn’t willing to give up my friends. I wasn’t going to let good people die on Crait.

Edited Date: 2018-04-28 03:07 am (UTC)

From:

volitaunt

You saved our asses back there.

From:

Did you think I’d abandon the Resistance?

From:

volitaunt

It was a compliment, Rey.

From:

Sorry...I misinterpreted that.

[ After, the last time they saw each other...it didn’t end well. ]

Assuming we get back to our world, you’ll have the chance to pilot the Falcon.

From:

volitaunt

No kidding.

That'll be something.

Assuming we get back?

From:

Pretty sure Chewie wouldn't mind having you in the co-pilot seat.

It's not like we exactly left when we got our memories. We were given canisters. We didn't...leave this place.

From:

volitaunt

We're going to get back.

From:

We need to get back.

From:

[ The text comes around 4 in the afternoon; depending on where she was, Rey might have heard the news that there was a big car chase and shoot out in the city earlier. ]

eddie got shot today
he's out of surgery and the doctor says it looks like he's going to be okay
no idea when he'll be out of the hospital
just wanted to give a heads up.

From:

[Rey was at the Guard, taking a break from training when she received the text.]

He was shot? Does he need anything?

You? Are you okay? Were you shot? Do you need anything?

[And now she's getting ready to leave to check on Cisco.]

From:

they're taking care of him
he's going to live
i wasn't there. it was a shootout i guess.
i'm okay.

[ He's very very far from okay, which would be clear even if Rey didn't know the circumstances; it's not like Cisco to text in this matter. So simple, so plain, without embellishments or jokes. ]

From:

[Cisco is never one for simple texts. He is stressed out, really stressed out.]

No, you're not okay.

I'm on my way to the hospital, I'll be there soon. Do you need anything? Want anything?

From:

alright
we can't see him yet though
he's in recovery and he's not allowed any visitors yet
i don't need anything

[ There is lots that he needs, in fact, but he's still in way too much of a haze to even realize that. ]

From:

That's fine, Eddie can recover and take his time doing it.

Have you had any water yet?

[He needs things, he needs all the things, but he's not thinking right now. It'll be okay, she'll be there soon enough.]

From:

[ Water? Why would he want water? How would that help? ]

no i haven't

From:

[Because when people are distressed, they forget to do vital things like drink water. Granted, they're not in the desert, but Rey is falling back into an old mind set.]

What about food? Have you eaten?

[She's making a quick run to a shop to get him water and snacks, things to get him through the next few hours.]

From:

i don't think food's a good idea

[ Even if he did manage to force himself to eat something, he doubts he'd manage to keep it down. All of that terror and helplessness had left him queasy and weak. He didn't even notice that, right until Rey brought up food. Strange, how disconnected he feels from his own body. He's sore from the waiting room chairs, from sitting still and not moving, all his thoughts occupied with whether Eddie's body was going to make it, with all the damage that had been done to it. ]

From:

[It's not a good idea right now, but she wanted to be on the safe side. He might get hungry later, and those snacks in those odd machines wouldn't provide the best nutrition. Rey was thinking of anything and everything Cisco may need. A care package to help him get through the night, or even the day.]

I'll take something, just in case you change your mind.

I'll be there soon.

[Rey ends the communication there, grabbing a small bag before heading out to grab two bottles of water for him, an apple, breakfast biscuits, and trail mix--the kind he liked. Simple things to help tide over hunger or thirst...assuming he felt either of those.

She made it to the hospital as soon as she could, spotting Cisco in the waiting area and immediately went to him. There are no words. There isn't a need for them, not when she can see how stressed and upset he is.

There's only a murmur of his name before moving to his side to hold him.]

From:

[ Cisco stands up when he sees Rey coming into the waiting room. The signs of distress are subtle, and yet unmistakable. He looks smaller, younger, somehow lost. There are no signs that he's been crying, or raging, or any other great gestures of misery. But his nails are bitten to the quick, and his expression is fragile.

He moves to hug Rey without saying anything, glad that she is here. He's suddenly acutely aware of how delicate people are, how easily damaged. It's reassuring just to see her, to see and feel that she is entirely alright. ]

They won't let me see him yet. It's too soon after the surgery. They need to watch him, make sure there are no complications.

[ Rationally, Cisco understands it, and he's willing to go along with whatever procedures they think are best, to make sure Eddie is okay. But it's hard, sitting in this awful room, alone, wondering, silent, in suspense.

Even saying that much to Rey felt like a great burden; his voice is cracked and strange from not being used for so long. All his usual jokes and evasions and chatter - even in the face of sadness - are absent, now. The silence is somehow more awful than any sobbing could be. He just resumes his seat, staring off a little into the distance, lost and waiting until he can be with Eddie again. Once he's with Eddie again, it'll be okay. ]

From:

realists

[ rey's gift comes at the very beginning, before jyn has time to second guess herself. wrapped in plain paper, it is set in front of rey's door before jyn slips away. there is a note attached that reads: ]

My mother used to tell me stories of the Jedi. This was one of their fighters.

[ it's signed with her loopy signature and that is it. ]

From:

[The gift showing up on her door step is...shocking, touching and makes Rey's stomach flip. Does Jyn know about her Force abilities?

No...no, it's probably just a coincidence...

But the gift is thoughtful, and Rey has something for Jyn too. Finally, after an hour of debating with herself, Rey sends out a text.]

Thank you. I've only heard about it in stories.

I have something for you--and I'd like to catch up, if you have time?

From:

realists

[ ignoring the thanks bc what are manners ]

I'm free now if you want to stop by.

From:

[Manners are for chumps.]

I'll be there in a few minutes, if that's alright.

I'l see you soon.

From:

realists

[ hell yeah ]

Door's open, let yourself in.

[ jyn will be in the kitchen, tending to her herb garden since she didn't have much time to care for them when she was sick and subsequently unconscious. the little orange cat is sitting on the couch, batting at a tiny mouse toy. ]

From:

[In a matter of minutes Rey arrives, knocking on the door before letting herself in. She didn't want to startle Jyn or Cassian, if he was there. The orange cat sitting on the couch doesn't surprise her, but she is pleased to see it's still alive. Not that she was doubting Finn's care taking skills, but how does one care for a cat?]

Hey.

[She moves over to the kitchen and places on an empty space Jyn's gift.]

thanks for the fighter....though, why Jedi? Didn't think you were one to believe in them.

From:

realists

Everyone knows about the Jedi, I figured you'd have at least heard the stories on Jakku. [ a lift of her shoulders as she brushes aside some leaves to water one of the plants. ]

I don't not believe in them. They were exterminated when I was a toddler, so I know they're real. People used to tell stories that maybe some of them survived but I not sure I believe that. My mother believed. [ her fingers instinctively touch her necklace. ] Chirrut was as close to a Jedi as I ever got.

From:

[ Rey has the item in her hand, she’s been playing with it, examining it and wondering how exactly it was used and what the specs were. It’s a very thoughtful gift, one that holds a deeper meaning than anything. ]

I used to think they were just stories...myths really. Though, one Jedi still existed...his name was Luke. [ Was past tense because he’s at one with the Force now....she still had so much to learn from him. And if she had the Jedi texts, it would help her in her training. ]

And I used to think the Jedi used the Force to move rocks around. [ Another shrug, because she’s stalling and unsure of how to mention it without making a big deal out of it. ]

From:

realists

[ luke. what a common, normal name for a jedi. she'd have expected them all to be fanciful names to match the stories like aayla secura or luminara unduli or depa billaba or any number of the female jedi her mother had told her stories about. but they were stories, however recent the stories were. ]

Don't they?

From:

No...not really. I mean...

[Okay, don't lose courage, just spit it out.]

It's more than using it to float rocks around. It gave me visions, and I've used it when I've had to fight--not until recently, that is.

[Just...putting it out there casually...]

From:

realists

[ jyn doesn't whirl on the spot but there is a moment where it is clear that she understands what rey is laying down. rey is a jedi. rey can float rocks with her mind. ]

Visions of what?

From:

..Of different events. Things that have happened, or could happen..

[Her voice is soft, and distance. Trying not to overwhelm Jyn with the details....but that first vision was rough and left Rey feeling so vulnerable and raw.]

..I don't get them often. It's rare when it happens.

From:

realists

[ it's a rare event when jyn initiates touch, but she doesn't hesitate to cover rey's hand with her own. jyn doesn't have visions, but she does have nightmares that make her feel as discomfited as rey looks. ]

Chirrut could see... how the Force moved around people. And seeing him fight, you'd never know that he was completely blind. The Force guided him. I acted like it was rubbish, but.

[ she knew. he was as close as a jedi as she would ever meet. until rey. ]

From:

[Visions and nightmares are what Rey receives. The vision she had when she touched Ben's hand wasn't as painful as that first vision where every cell of her being was buzzing with energy. Her mind and heart overwhelmed from the residual feelings of the vision.

She wasn't sure what Jyn would think of her. Nothing really had changed, just something Rey had kept hidden and believed she should tell Jyn about. It was time she told her--and by association, Cassian.

Rey is grateful for Jyn's hand, squeezing it.]

I never met anyone who could the Force, not until I was on Takodana. I thought it was for...others. I never thought I could, but... [She looked up at Jyn, guilt creeping into her eyes.] I didn't want to keep this from you anymore.

From:

evasives

[it's at this very coincidental moment that the door opens and cassian walks inside the apartment. he pauses only briefly when he sees they have company, but he frowns when he picks up on the conversation, little bits and pieces and the force.]

[he sets a bag of groceries down on the counter and raddus meows loudly at him.]

Why are we discussing the jedi? [something about what rey is saying is... too weird, too specific.]

From:

realists

[ jyn recognizes the guilt in rey's eyes, if only because cassian wears guilt like one of his many jackets and she sees it every day, she sees it in her own eyes in the mirror. when cassian walks through the door, she gestures her head to the couch, before just pulling rey behind her. time to sit. ]

The Jedi are real, and not just Chirrut. [ her mouth lifts in a small smile. rey is real so jedi are real. ]

I never really thought the Force liked me that much. I only ever really felt it-- [ she makes a small noise like she can't think of the right way to phrase "when we died". ] At the end. But the Force chose well picking you.

[ a beat. ] You know I lived at Maz's castle for a while.

[ it's not relevant but she loves that green planet. ]

Edited Date: 2018-08-09 04:52 am (UTC)

From:

[Rey's gaze holds steady on Jyn's. She heard Cassian come into their apartment, asking why they were talking about the Jedi and the guilt in her doubles. She would have to retell her tale again, but also explain why she kept it hidden. She didn't want to hold something back from them, but she was still trying to figure things out.

Rey doesn't know how to answer that question, but Jyn does and it makes Rey want to laugh. Of course she'd put it that simply.]

The Jedi...yes, they're real.

[One way to explain it, for now. Rey could feel her cheeks burn at the compliment. She doesn't know if the Force chose well or not, or if she was the only one willing to stand up to Ben...or see a human side to him.]

I wouldn't say that. It's...it's a complicated story.

[And now her focus shifts to Jyn's time with Maz.] How long? You know, she is--was, still there. It was still thriving. [A faint smile danced across her lips thinking about how Maz called Chewie her boyfriend...

Things weren't the same anymore. Her castle was gone thanks to the First Order.]

But, I'm one of them--Jedi that is. I'm still training though...[She thinks she's still in training because while there are things she knows, there's still a lot she doesn't know.

Like what else she could do with the Force. If she can look into the future at will, or anything else of that nature. But if Cassian is skeptical of any of this--because who wouldn't be?--Rey takes the opportunity to take one of Raddus' toys and let's it hover over the cat, dangling it above it's head before floating over to them on the couch.

The Force wasn't a toy, but this was better than showing off a weapon that could injure them.]

Edited Date: 2018-08-13 05:33 am (UTC)

From:

evasives

[he pauses at the counter, ignoring the way raddus paps at his pants. he turns around just in time to watch the toy float, and raddus decides her floating toy is far superior to whatever food her dad brought home. she trails after the toy excitedly when rey moves it around, trying to pounce at it once it reaches the couch. there's mild surprise on cassian's face, the proof of her powers right in front of him.]

I have never doubted they were real. I remember them. [he was seven when the clone wars ended, old enough to know the jedi existed, to know he hated them at the time simply because they were fighting for the republic.] The jedi and the Force have just never... been on my side.

[until now. the rebellion used to whisper may the force be with you, like a mantra, but cassian never found much use for it himself. he believes in the force as real, but he's never believed it cared about him at all. the coming together of anti-imperialists and former separatists into the alliance has been a very interesting process the last twenty years.]

[but rey gets the smallest of smiles. his own feelings on jedi are murky, but rey has nothing to do with the jedi of old. she is good and kind and probably everything the jedi should be.] I always thought there was something you were keeping quiet. It's quite a lot for you to hold in for so long.

Edited Date: 2018-08-21 01:51 am (UTC)

From:

realists

[ jyn smiles a little as raddus dances after the toy. the cat's namesake would like rey, jyn abruptly decides. he liked her after all, maybe he just liked their whole reckless gang of misfit. she stands by her decision.

she scratches under the cat's chin when she leaps after it on to the couch again, pleased with having caught her magical prey. ]

I'm glad you told us.

From:

[It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, finally able to tell her friends the truth. She wasn't sure how either of them would react--but she hoped it wouldn't be with hard stares or glaring words.

The Jedi from their time either didn't exist, or were from the old legends. Things that happened well before she was born, or had awaken to the power within in. Seeing the tiniest smile from Cassian and Jyn's words made Rey feel silly for stressing out over it.]

Thank you...both of you.

[For accepting who she is and not being afraid of her.]

I...didn't know how to tell either of you. Poe and Finn know, because of our history together. [And how her mission was to go and find Luke, and bring him back to the Resistance..] And I didn't want you to view me in a different light. [Like she was this powerful and suddenly wise person--because she wasn't. She was still learning--powerful, but she still had so much to learn.]

From:

evasives

I think we both understand a little bit about wanting to keep parts of ourselves a secret.

[his entire life has been one big secret for so long, he is very familiar with the weight of them. but he thinks there is very little that could have changed his mind on who rey is. regardless of powers, she's still a smart and good person.]

As far as I can tell, you are still Rey, even if you can tease a toy for our cat.

From:

realists

[ jyn nods her agreement with cassian. ]

Rey's what I care about, not the Force. [ so rey is good. being a jedi is a bonus for her maybe, jyn doesn't know -- maybe it sucks, but as long as she is still rey, it doesn't much matter to jyn.

rey, the woman, is the important part. ]

From:

bythehand

Are you busy? I've got something for you.

From:

Great minds think alike--I have something for you too.

I'm free right now. Did you want me to meet you somewhere...?

From:

bythehand

I know a place with good waffles.

[ Once again, the only place he's actually bothered to eat waffles strikes. ]

From:

Sounds good, mind texting me the coordinates?

How have you been? I know we’ll catch up, but are you doing ok?

From:

bythehand

[ He sends the address along. ]

I've been good. Pretty good. Between the Memoria thing and the nanites, I'm just glad something good came next.

What about you?

From:

[She receives it and grabs his present before going his way.]

Same--been trying to keep busy. I'm glad I'm back in my apartment again.

I should be there soon. Did you want me to pick up anything?

From:

bythehand

You don't need to pick anything up. We should be good.

It'll be good to see you.

From:

You sure? Not even snacks?

[Trying to make sure Finn is well fed shows that Rey cares a lot about him. Not that she would think he doesn't eat or anything, but she still looks out for his health.]

It'll be good to see you. I know I've been busy--and that isn't an excuse for not keeping in touch. I should be at your place soon.

From:

bythehand

We've got stuff. Don't worry about it.

[ He knows worry isn't necessarily the right word, as much as-- yeah, caring. Which includes worrying. It's a broad spectrum.

He cares about her, too.

It's gonna be good to see her. ]

I haven't exactly been great at keeping in touch either. Two-way street, right?

From:

Just asking.

[She's getting there, another few minutes and she'll be at his door.]

Yes, but..It was easier when the three of us lived together.

[Easier to go to bed at night knowing she had others around her. Easier to know they were safe and sound.

Now, she was knocking at his door, waiting for him to answer.]

From:

bythehand

I know what you mean.

[ He's extremely quick to answer when she knocks. Less than five seconds quick, with a smile ready on his face. ]

Hey. Come on in. [ Finn steps back and holds the door open.

The apartment is nothing fancy; while definitely not as bare-bones as Rey's place, it's still a bit on the sterile side. With all the time they spend at the Perimeter Guard, there's not much they keep around in terms of knickknacks or decor. By the end of the month, Finn's probably gonna have a few more things lying around, but for now it's not looking too worn in.

The only thing really notable is the bed setup in the middle of the living room floor. It used to be a glorified blanket nest they broke out on occasion, but at some point they went ahead and just laid two mattresses down. ]

From:

Hey. [Rey doesn't take a look at the apartment, not when she first walks in. When she crosses the threshold into the apartment, she waits for Finn to close the door and hug him. It's been too long, and she feels it's more her fault than anything.

She should be better at this, considering she was alone for so long. But...habits were hard to break.

Hugging Finn...it helps relieve some of the stress she's been carrying around. At least this was one way she could make it up to him.]

It's good to see you. Glad you're doing well. [There's a faint smile on her lips as she starts to pull back--and then notices the mattresses on the floor. Can't say she blames him. This probably would've been their set up...if she didn't cause that fight.]

From:

bythehand

[ Finn hasn't said no to a hug in his life yet, and he's not about to start now. He returns it with just as much warmth. It's been a hell of a couple of months. Missing Rey isn't exactly something he stops doing, however strange things get.

Or, well. Got. Have been.

It's not something that he blames her for. He's not sure there's one specific point of blame to go around. Everyone made their choice. They had their own opinions. There was gonna be a point where it all ran up against each other's sooner or later. And something like that isn't small or easy. It's just... complicated.

One in a long line of complicated things. ]

You, too. Would have had you over sooner, but things have a way of getting out of hand. You know my commanding officer mutated into a big bug last month?

[ Step one: be happy to see your friend. Step two: fill her in on the hot gossip where John turned into a bug mutant, apparently. ]

From:

[The day Finn says no to a hug, then everything in this world will be ruined and nothing will ever be good again. Finn is a precious thing that doesn't need protection--but Rey would protect and fight for him.

He's one of her first actual friends--though that honor goes more to BB-8 than anything, but it's the thought that counts.

Complicated things...all the complicated things that seem to make up their lives, and Rey has to wonder why it suddenly couldn't stop being complicated? If they could work something out or try? It's a long shot, but not something she wants to bring up right now. Not when she's hugging Finn and trying to catch up on things.]

It's okay, trying to get a space together is a lot harder than I would've guessed--even more so with two people.

[She pulls back to see his smiling face and her eyes go wide.] Wait, how? Was it magic? Did he drink something?

[More importantly, why wasn't she around to witness this?!

As for her own gossip...it's nothing to really fill him in on. Just..broke another guy's heart and yeah.]

What kind of bug was he?

From:

bythehand

Some genetic thing from his galaxy. Sort of like an infection. Mutation, maybe.

[ He's not clear 100% on the details of exactly how it happened and what set it off. Just that they had to take a party out to the forest to catch and detain him. A whole process. ]

I thought he looked more like a big lizard. Guess it's an opinion thing. [ A beat, then: ] He's better now.

From:

An infection and mutation are two separate things.

[Clearly, he needs to find out the details so they can go over this. Gosh, where was she when this happened?]

Well, that's good? I mean, I can't imagine he'd be able to do much in that form--unless....he could?

[Was it something he could do? Well, if he had a reaction, she'd imagine he'd be at home waiting for it to go away.]

There hasn't been much going on with me...just...same old..same old.

From:

bythehand

Yeah. I'm still not sure which one it actually was.

[ He's not a scientist or a doctor and he has no interest in being one. But it was weird and he really should have tried to commit more of the details to memory. ]

He threw everyone around pretty good. Took off for the forest. The longer it went, the less he was-- there. Thinking. Definitely good to have him fixed up.

[ Finn rubs the back of his neck. ]

Seems like either nothing's going on in this place or everything's happening at once. Maybe one of these days it'll settle in the middle.

Edited Date: 2018-07-03 04:42 pm (UTC)

From:

Maybe...one can only hope

[And maybe hope that they'll be able to head home, to help with the Resistance and win the war. But, she doesn't want to think about that right now.]

How did Poe react to it? I mean, was he there too? [Because he's usually at the Guard? Or, at least that's what she remembers...but they haven't been keeping in touch. She wanted to give Poe enough space and wait.

But! She came here for a reason. There's something in her pocket that she takes out. A small box that's wrapped up.]

Before I forget...I got this for you, for the holiday. {Festival or whatever it is this place likes to celebrate. Inside the box is a present that she hopes Finn will like.]

From:

bythehand

He was sort of there. We needed a shuttle pilot. He was the closest one around. It went down pretty fast. And he'd met John already. [ Poe's... complicated relationship with John isn't something he ultimately feels like he has any business going into right now. Not because he doesn't trust Rey with it, but because that relationship is complicated, and not in a good way. It's not his to share. ]

You should meet him too, sometime. He'd like you.

[ It's Rey. What's not to like? Finn opens the gift and reads the packaging with a growing grin. As a person with no chill and no poker face, it's his sacred duty to look like a kid at Christmas. ]

Thanks. It's perfect. [ And then after a solid three seconds of looking at Rey like she's the best person in the world: ] Wait, right, I've got yours too. Stay here.

[ Imagine the most undignified but eager vault over the back of a couch that a person can do, because Finn does it. BACK IN A FEW SECONDS. ]

From:

Oh, of course. That makes sense.

[Who has Poe not already? He was more of the social type than Rey. He was fine with talking to people, more out going whereas Rey tended to keep to herself. Years of living by herself has made it hard to break out of her comfort zone.

But, she has friends: Finn being one of her best friends. She's made friends, just taking things slow.]

Maybe, I mean if he's part of the Guard, I'm bound to run into him eventually.

[She was holding her breath as Finn unwrapped his present. She thought it would fit him--and the second one, he could give to Poe or anyone else. She figured it could come in hand--and her gifts tend to be more practical than anything. Something useful.]

I'm glad you like it. [Her words are spoken softly, a big grin on her face, utterly relieved he likes it--

And now he was stumbling to get her present?]

Wait--Finn!

[Okay, he's gone looking. OH WELL. SHE STILL LOVES YOU, YOU GOOFBALL.]

From:

bythehand

[ Being able to get each other gifts hasn't lost any of the appeal. At this point, Finn's pretty sure it never will. There's just something-- really good about it. Easy. Not to mention the super low risk that it'll end up getting destroyed in the middle of a war thing?

That novelty really never will wear off.

Finn returns in short order, triumphantly holding a sizable bag, which he offers to her. Inside is a standard-issue stun gun and this windowsill herb garden kit. ]

Here.

From:

[Yes! Presents that won't get destroyed because they were in a war or anything of that sort. It won't lose it's appeal, but it'll still be surprising to know someone thought enough of her to get something she may like...

And really, Finn could've given her candy, a teacup, or scrap metal and she would still think it's the best thing in the world.

Her eyebrows come together as confusion dances across her face. A bag? She wasn't expecting that, maybe something small, but she puts her hand inside of it and draws out a stun gun. A grin tugs at the corners of her lips. Yes, this is super practical.

But what gives her pause is the windowsill herb garden kit.]

Finn....

[It tugs at her heart strings, recalling that moment when they came upon Takodana. All the green she saw...how it took her breath away, and this? This was the best thing ever.

She puts the bag down in favor of hugging her best friend.] Thank you so much.

From:

bythehand

[ Sounds to Finn like this wasn't a bad gift selection. A success!

Prijata's been a really good holiday so far. Needless to say, he hugs her back. ]

No problem. I'm glad you like it.

From:

realists

Come to [LOCATION] at 6pm on [DATE]. You may bring one date if you must.

[ how inviting. obviously the location is the location of a home and the date is sometime in mid-august that i don't want to settle on at the moment so YOLO. boom, come to a party. bring 1 friend. ]

From:

Who are you and what have you done to Jyn?

:p

From:

realists

I am taking that as an acceptance!

From:

Why would I say no?

Edited Date: 2018-08-02 01:06 am (UTC)

From:

realists

You wouldn't. Because there will be cake.

I'll see you there.

From:

What kind of cake?

Wait, that's it? You're not going to tell me anything else?

From:

realists

Blueberry and nope.

:)

From:

11calls

You and I need to talk. Immediately.

From:

[ Within a few second Rey is calling Alex. ]

Are you okay?

[ What’s wrong? What happened?]

From:

11calls

No I'm not okay. I cannot believe what you did, Rey!

[Alex may or may not have spent the last twelve hours crying, so she sounds slightly stuffed up.]

From:

[ She’s taken aback by how stuffy Alex sounds and now....now she’s confused to what happened and how she was involved. ]

What exactly did I do?

[ She didn’t do anything!! ]

From:

11calls

You didn't do anything? Rey you used my feelings for Richard as a weapon, including what I told you.

Did you think that it wouldn't bother him? That it wouldn't bother me? I'm furious. You have no idea.

From:

I...I’m sorry.

[ Rey is completely taken aback by this. She didn’t think of it that way. She thought she was helping! ]

I wanted to find out more details—and yes, I went about it the wrong way, but I didn’t do it to hurt you.

[ Never mind the fact Richard insulted her repeatedly. ]

Edited Date: 2018-08-04 01:00 am (UTC)

From:

11calls

Rey, I told you all the details. I told you private things about him that I shouldn't during that fight when we mentioned it. Richard left for good reasons. I destroyed his life. That's why he left the first time. There were other reasons too, but what I did? My show? Completely was my fault. It's why I needed to go find him that first time, and drag him back to the land of the living.

The second, I understand. He hurt me, yes, but I understand it. And I know he was a complete asshole, but you came to his friendr and started it. I told you things about his family, about what he was facing, about what his life has been like and still you went and did this. I don't understand. How would you feel if I was a stranger and went to Kylo with the things you've told me?

From:

I remember that, but you also said he left a second time? [Questioning that, because she is going through their conversation in her mind and trying to remember every single thing that was said, or texted.] He hurt you, and I wanted to defend you and protect--and that wasn't my place to do so. [It's not her job, it's not, but it does make her question things on her side. ]

He also made a mean remark about you--and I tried to defend you. [Don't go dragging Ben into this... Don't get upset, just let Alex vent...but this does hurt.]

I wouldn't like it--but would you be doing it to protect me? Or doing it to start a fight? I wasn't trying to start a fight, I wasn't trying to be mean or anything. I wanted to know if he cared enough about you to not hurt you again! That's all I wanted.

Edited Date: 2018-08-06 11:43 pm (UTC)

From:

11calls

The second time he had a damned good reason too. I wish he had told me before it but I understand why. Does it hurt, yes! But I know why he did it. I understand why he did it, and it's not even something that I needed to forgive him for.

Richard is an asshole. It says it right on the friendr post, Rey. He's an asshole and he can be snide and he can be a complete dickhead, and yes, he can be cruel sometimes, but he doesn't say mean things about me maliciously. He's just really bad at the social thing.

[Not unlike someone else she cares for, Rey.]

I know him, and I understand him, and in the end I'll probably forgive him anything. I appreciate that you were trying to protect me, but I also need you to trust my judgment on things. On him. Even if other people don't think it's sound or a good idea? I love Richard Strand. I am going to be with him to the end of the world and back if need be. He loves me, Rey. He has his own ways of showing it? And his reasons for showing it that way? But he loves me.

I know you weren't trying to cause a fight, Rey. I definitely wouldn't have been doing it to cause a fight either. But you did. A massive one.

[One that ended with him leaving and not coming back yet.]

From:

And if that gets you killed, then what?

[Rey snaps, but she is a hypocrite in this. She had done the same to Poe, to Finn, and to Leia when she brought up Ben. She had isolated herself for it, believing it was a way to atone for causing that fight. In this, she can't win. Protecting her friends...it only seems to blow up in her face.

She doesn't want to make Alex even more upset, but she wants to fix this. But how? No doubt Alex wouldn't want her to find Richard and drag him back.

There's a long pause as Rey tries to reign in her anger.]

..What do you want me to do, Alex? Do you want to keep yelling at me?

[The questions are asked softly, trying to fix what's currently in her control.]

From:

11calls

Then it gets me killed. It's my choice.

[Alex is very calm and certain when she says it, because she means it. She'd been thinking about it a lot over the last few months, even before Simon showed up and told her that she's as much at the center of this as Strand is. Even suspecting that something terrible would happen to her, she'd still make that choice and step in front of that bullet if need be to save Richard and the world.

But for now, she just sighs softly, her anger spent. Alex's anger tends to be a flash anyway, too bright and too hot and too quickly to burn out, and this time is no exception. She wishes that it would have been, because it's easier to be angry then to be hurting as much as she is, but for now it's done.]

I'd ask you to apologize, but I know that is a terrible and stupid idea because it'd only end up getting worse down the road. You two have tempers too alike. So, I'm going to ask that you not contact him again. Please.

[A beat, before she adds:]

Before you ask, this doesn't mean that we're not friends anymore or anything like that, Rey. Yes, I'm upset but I'm still your friend. I hope you're still mine.

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