toschestation | Empatheias Inbox

[Leia's own feelings about Padme's departure from Verens are something she does not want to deal with at all. She's not even sure what she really feels, honestly, and she's not sure she has the right to feel much of anything as it is. She didn't know Padme all that well, especially not compared to others here, and didn't know how to grieve for the loss of a mother she didn't know at all when the grieving she did for the mother she did know was entirely private and hidden behind the face she showed in public.

It was easier to try and help the people she knew would be more affected by this and keep her feelings to herself. And while she wasn't sure how much time Luke and Padme spent together, she knew Luke would doubtlessly be one of the people more affected by her departure. Which is why, while Luke is sitting outside doing whatever he does out there, Leia very purposefully makes her way over to him, taking a seat next to him and studying his features for a moment before placing a hand on his shoulder.]

Are you alright, Luke?

[Since the disappearance of Padme, Luke had taken to spending a lot of time out in the back garden despite the heat of the day because it was quiet, and gave him a convenient excuse to say he didn't hear Han's bellowing for him (which was almost daily, and normally Luke didn't even mind) He'd sensed Leia come outside before he saw or heard her, and had already squared his shoulders as he sat up before she even spoke.]

[was he alright? Luke looks up at Leia quietly, his expression somber but at least he wasn't doing anything outright silly like shed tears. He does however give Leia a half assed smile as he scoots over to make room for her to sit down with him on the bench he's currently occupying.]

I've been thinking. [about a lot of things, specifically trying to ignore the fact that Padme left here to basically return to the death she'd already suffered.]

Edited (im stupid and forget to edit the subject) 2016-08-21 04:27 (UTC)

[She takes her hand off his shoulder, scooting over and turning toward Luke so she can look at him more comfortably while they talk. His response, as far as she's concerned, isn't exactly an answer to her question, but for now she'll humor it and see where he's going with this.]

Thinking about what? Talk to me.

[Luke presses his lips together, his gaze shifting out into the distance behind their weird little house. He knows Leia feels entirely differently about Anakin and Padme than he does, because of the interactions with Vader, the fact that she had people she could call parents— a whole host of things. But at the same time, he's uncertain about unloading his feelings on her.]

If it weren't for this place I never would have gotten to meet her. [There's an unsaid "but" and a very solid, hurt emotion in his eyes that he's not doing the best at expressing.] I should be thankful for that.

[That emotion isn't unexpected--it's honestly what she expected to see before coming out here to check on him--but actually seeing that hurt in his eyes causes a pang of that same emotion to well up in Leia. Not entirely because of Padme's departure, but because their family, and Luke especially, really deserved a break every once in a while. She returns his hurt look with one full of compassion and understanding, and once again places her hand on his arm.]

That doesn't mean you can't be upset she left. Did you get to spend much time with her while she was here?

Not enough. There was so much more I could have asked her. [Time he could have tried to make up for... but was that selfish? It almost feels that way. When Leia's hand touches his arm again, he lifts his other and settles it on top of her own.]

She and father were getting a second chance here. [His shoulders slump slightly.] Her "going home" meant the end of that. [Because there was no future for her back in their world, her life was already over.]

[Leia glances away briefly at the mention of Anakin also getting a second chance, but she doesn't say anything about it because she knows full well now isn't the time. It'a not exactly a secret that she doesn't think Anakin deserves a second chance anyway, so it's mostly rehashing old arguments.]

I feel the same. I didn't get the chance to know her well as a person. [which is a big part of how conflicted she's feeling about everything. If she didn't know Padme that well at all, did she even have a right to be upset that she's gone? Especially knowing their last real conversation was an argument that was mostly her fault.]

She was a close friend of my father's, you know. There's a lot I wanted to ask her about. [she might not want to start fights about Anakin deserving second chances again, but she's not going to clarify who she means by "father," because in her eyes, there's really one choice and it's not Anakin.]

[It's definitely not the time for that particular conversation, or revisit to an already hashed out argument. Luke respects Leia's feelings, even if his own are different. But, the part about her father having known Padme gets his attention.]

Did he? [It's a reminder that Leia's lost parentage too, more than Luke has himself and he briefly feels guilty for emotionally leaning on Leia as hard as he is right now. Perhaps it's a burden that she shouldn't have to carry, considering what she's already been through herself.] I guess there's a lot the both of us missed. I'm sorry, Leia.

[Leia, on the other hand, doesn't mind Luke leaning on her this way. Luke clearly needs someone to talk to, and she doesn't like seeing him upset, so she wants to help. It also has the added bonus of letting her ignore her own feelings as she focuses on him to try and help, which is something she prefers. So, she ignores his condolences (because she's not even sure how to respond to that, whether he means about Padme or Bail, and doesn't want to dwell on it and risk losing her own composure) and continues her explanation, since he seemed interested.]

They were colleagues in the Senate, and he looked out for and helped her during her time in office. That part, at least, I wasn't surprised to hear.

[the specifics about Padme, yes, but not about Bail being the sort of person that would take a newly elected younger senator under his wing]

[The condolences had been meant for both, perhaps. Though he wasn't going to bring it up, it occurred to him that he'd never really seen Leia grieve for her parents. He squeezes her hand gently, but listens when she talks. When—or if Leia wanted to talk about it, he would let her bring it up.]

He seems like he was a good man then, to do something like that. I'm sure she appreciated it a lot. [Perhaps it was thanks to their connection that Leia found herself with the Organas as a baby.]

Edited 2016-08-26 22:44 (UTC)

He was. I wish you could have met him.

[It's something that still hurts whenever she thinks about it, the fact that Bail Organa would never have the chance to meet the people who had become the most important to her, or even her own son. But they were here to talk about Luke and his feelings, not her own. Talking about her own is uncomfortable, and she can't see how it would help more than letting Luke himself talk.]

She mentioned she knew your aunt and uncle, as well. Or that she'd met them, at least. [She's not sure if Luke knew, but she assumes it must have come up between them at some point. Regardless, it's a way to shift the conversation back onto Luke.]

I do too.

[There's a lot that Luke could wish for, all things considered. He wished he had known Leia for more of her life, that they hadn't had to have been separated for so long. He wished that he'd been able to save his father, or been able to prevent the deaths of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru... At the mention of them in particular Luke sits up with something of a vaguely sad smile on his face. That was true, it had come up once before—the connection had felt good, to finally put more pieces of the family tree together.]

Yes, she'd mentioned it. They never really talked about it to me before... but it was nice to know they got to meet her. [He exhales, and then takes one of Leia's hands in both of his.]

I'm glad we all managed to wind up in this strange place together. We're lucky we got to meet at all. [Here, in Verens and the strange almost destined way that Leia, Han and Luke all met up together. He may have lost a lot, but at the same time Luke knows he's gained a lot too.]

[A wide, fond smile makes its way across her face as Luke takes her hand in his. She doesn't like thinking about how impossible the odds of her original meeting with Han and Luke were, and how they could have easily missed each other and how easily everything could have gone wrong then. Everything she'd lost couldn't be replaced, but having Luke and Han (and Chewie, too) around helps make things better, regardless of whether they were here or at home.]

I'm glad, too. Having you and Han here makes all this easier.

[She may not talk much about all of her issues related to Verens and everything else, but being able to be around the people that mean the most to her and not have to worry about getting shot at or anything else they would have to worry about at home is a big help.]

It does. I don't know what I would have done winding up in all of this if the two of you weren't here.

[He manages a laugh, leaning over just in case Han is within earshot.]

I think the living room has been cleaner since you got here. [Just a little, maybe. Or Luke could be completely mistaken and making shit up, who knows.] Han certainly seems Happier. I am too.

[That gets a laugh out of Leia, one that she feels is maybe a bit too loud because she quickly stifles it by covering her mouth.]

That's because you're too lenient with him. [and Leia, on the other hand, has no qualms about doing things that could potentially lead to fights. (Well now she's a bit more careful, since they agreed to fight less, but that hasn't stopped the war against junk). Besides, he had said it was okay for her to touch his stuff, which, while intended as an innuendo, she decided to take as permission to wage war against his pile of who even knows what.]

I don't think we've spent enough time together here, you and I. I miss that.

[which is to say, hang out with her more instead of doing Jedi things or whatever it is you do, Luke]

[Too lenient? Luke can't help but laugh. They may not have discussed a lot about Padme and her disappearance from Empatheias, but sometimes it just helps to laugh. Luke still misses Padme and regrets a lot about her leaving but Leia's company and their quiet discussion has helped.

Not to mention it's helped Luke learn more about the sister he's only known a few short years of his life. When Leia speaks again, his lips quirk up into a genuine smile.]

Let's do something together then. Just the two of us. I'm sure there's plenty we can do in this place. Even if it's just one planet.

[dont knock the jedi stuff, though. That's important. But not as important as Leia, so he'll gladly put it aside to spend time with her.]

[They may not have discussed Luke's feelings about Padme as much as Leia would have wanted, but if Luke is laughing instead of moping, she will take that as a win. At his suggestion, Leia mimics his own smile, clearly appreciative of his suggestion.]

On most planets, there's plenty you can do without leaving the atmosphere, you know.

[Most planets have things you can do that are more fun than going to go buy power converters, after all.]

[and once again, some time after this--]

Luke, are you home right now? I need to talk with you.

[it's a subject she's not sure she wants to bring up with Luke again, knowing it will just lead to hurt feelings and arguments, but she feels it's necessary. She may be talking with others about this particular issue, but it would be inappropriate and also flat out rude to not involve Luke as well, considering it involves their father. And unlike with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, with Luke, her tone is more gentle, and she'd prefer to talk to him about this in person. She owes Luke that much, at least.]

Edited 2016-12-19 16:51 (UTC)

[He hadn't expected an amulet message from Leia.]

I'm on my way home now. What is it? Is everything alright?

[considering everything that has gone on within their family and the people from their galaxy, Luke's questions come with some apprehension. Deservedly so.]

[He's right to be apprehensive. And while part of Leia wonders if perhaps she should water it down to make it seem less alarming, Luke deserves to know the truth. That's why she was talking to him about this in the first place, because he's one of the few who needs and deserves to know. So--]

No. It's about Anakin.

[oh. Luke hesitates, the connection they share dimming. His own experience with the Anakin that's returned was less than... hopeful.]

What happened Leia...?

[Her experience was... about par for the course, but that also means her impression of him is just the same as always. Meaning Anakin attacking Ezra is no surprise to her, given how poorly she thinks of him in the first place. But at least in this instance, at least with Luke, she knows better than to say "I told you so."]

A friend of mine, Ezra Bridger, was attacked. I don't know what he did to Ezra, but he's not in good shape.

... oh no.

[Luke deflates, mentally and physically. Of course. He could imagine how and why considering the state Anakin was in when he reappeared.]

Leia I don't know what to say. Is your friend going to be all right? [the name almost tickles at being familiar, too... hm.]

[Even with everything else Leia is feeling about this, and as angry and also unsurprised as she is by Anakin's behavior, there's no repressing the concern she feels at Luke's response. They may not see eye-to-eye on this, but she can at least respect Luke's feelings (as misguided as she thinks they may be), and she knows he no doubt is taking this just as hard as she is, albeit for a different reason perhaps.]

He's being taken care of by Qui-Gon, and I trust that he'll be able to help.

[Because as nosy as Qui-Gon is, and her newly recovering respect for him aside, he likely knows how to take care of things like this.]

I've spoken with him and Obi-Wan, but you needed to know, as well.

[Because it's only fair, and Luke is just as invested in Anakin--probably moreso--than the other two Jedi ever could be.]

...Does Anakin know?

[Well, more about Luke than her, because she knows full well that he doesn't know who she is. She just doesn't know what Luke may have told him.]

...No. I didn't tell him. When I had tried to the first time he was here with us... It didn't go well. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to tell him yet.

[if... at all. And that pains Luke to think about.]

I know you aren't fond of him Leia. But there's a longing I can't really describe. I don't know what to do. He's not...

[not the Anakin they'd met before. Before he'd fallen. It's like this one is in the middle of the freefall. It's frightening, and disappointing at the same time. The only good news here is that Ezra may yet be okay.]

[She's silent for a good while before responding, the only indication she's still listening is the sympathy coming from her side. She may not be "fond of him," as Luke puts it, but she knows he's important to Luke. She can be concerned about Luke while also not feeling the same way on this issue.]

I don't know how much help I can be [because this is how she always thought of Anakin, as someone teetering on the edge and about to turn at the slightest provocation] but if you need someone to listen, I'm here. But, I think if there's any chance at all of helping him, you'll be able to manage it.

[The look on Luke's face is enough to betray his feelings over Leia's words. She's being generous with him, and it's something he didn't expect, nor thinks she should feel she should have to offer him. He knows how she feels about Anakin, so offering her support even in this way is a lot.

And Luke couldn't appreciate it more, even if he would do his best to spare putting his sister in a position like that.]

I know you are Leia. [Luke lets out a sigh.] Right now, we should worry about your friend. if there's anything he may need, I'll do what I can to help. I think I met him before, too. I had no idea you knew a kid like that.

It was years ago, well before I met you and Han. Lothal isn't the most well-off planet, and access to the planet was cut off for some time, thanks to Rebel activity. I was on Lothal to provide relief aid from Alderaan to the people of Lothal. Unfortunately, that Rebel activity led to my ships being stolen.

[and naturally that was half of the real mission in the first place, and she helped Ezra and his friends steal the ships. Not that the aid wasn't important--because it was--but providing the rebel fleet with more ships was just as important. Her voice is a bit wistful, and maybe laced with just the slightest hint of amusement. Because she did have a reputation of her ships being "stolen" by rebel forces back in the day.]

I had no idea you had such an exciting past, Leia. [Right now isn't the time for light hearted jokes. But it does Illustrate to Luke just how little he knows about Leia, especially the time before they were accidentally reunited on the death star.]

But being part of the Rebel Alliance, I guess I'm not really all that surprised. So you met him during that mission?

I've been with the Alliance for as long as I've been able to contribute to the cause.

[whether or not people wanted her involved, there was no doubt she was going to be, even despite her young age. Since taking over Alderaan's seat in the senate, she had been doing everything she could to help the rebellion, and even before then, too, probably.]

But, yes. That's when I met Ezra and the rest of his faction.

You never cease to be amazing Leia.

[he was, indeed, making vroom vroom beep beep noises in his bedroom, at that age FUNNY JOKE or not.]

Was he that young? Or younger? [it's hard to keep track of what ages line up and what other ones don't, ok?]

[One day she'll find out about the vroom vroom beep beep noises, and Luke will never live it down.]

Ezra here is essentially the same age as he was when I met him.

So, from our past then. [It's hard to keep track of, sometimes.]

I hope he'll recover quickly. [in the meantime, perhaps he should look into watching after his father more than he thought he needed to, at first. Hm.]

I hope so, too. I'll share any updates I receive from Qui-Gon about Ezra's state with you. He thinks it looks promising, though.

[Which is a good thing, and Leia is glad for it.]

I'm glad. I trust Qui-Gon's judgement.

I'll be home soon. I'll see you when I'm there?

I don't plan on going anywhere. [which is to say yes, she'll see him when he's home.]

[Christmas is definitely not A Thing in a galaxy far far away, but Leia's heard a bit about it over the past few weeks. She may not know anything about the holiday itself beyond gift giving, but gift giving is something she can get behind, not even just as some half-assed attempt at celebrating some holiday she's never heard of. It's more of a "gifts are nice because you're important to me, and there's some weird holiday apparently happening according to some otherworlders, so here's a present" sort of gift. And in Luke's case, maybe it's also a late birthday gift. She's never really had the chance to give Luke a birthday gift while knowing he's her brother, so it's kind of special.

So, Luke will find in his room a nice pair of warm and durable leather gloves, and along with that, some extremely cheesy dramatic mask similar to the type used in the plays by the actors in Theasthai. It matches his ridiculous mask from Shaarnath, okay.]

[The next time Leia comes into their living room, she might notice that Luke has lovingly hung both masks up together on some wall space that hadn't yet had something else hanging from it.

They're going to have to make a tradition of this. Mask collecting together.]

[ How much you wanna bet they delivered their gifts to each other at the exact same time? Either way, sometime on Christmas Day, Lioriley delivers a box with a snazzy coat inside. Along with a card that reads: ]

Luke,

Words cannot express how happy I am to have met you, and how grateful I am for all the time we have spent together here in Verens.

I hope this letter finds you well, and you find use for this gift.

Sincerely,
- Lioriley

[There is absolutely no note or any indication as to who the simply-wrapped package in Luke's mailbox is from. Really, it could be from anyone, given the contents—a leather case containing the fanciest shaving kit known to Verens. Nobody wants to see Luke sporting that awful face growth he calls a beard.

Nobody.]

]there may be no indication of who this is from, but Luke very definitely knows. Despite his initial eyeroll, Luke can't help but chuckle at the overall thoughtful gesture.

It's a gift he'll enjoy Kylo. And don't worry he'll keep the secret.]

[ It was a day after Shinou received his gifts from Luke, and he just couldn't accept these lovely things without giving Luke something in return. So when Luke came home, or checked out in front of his door he'll find a big box with a note on top. ]

To Luke:

Enjoy my dear friend.

- Shinou

[ Inside the box was a warm looking cloak that was hopefully Luke's size. But if he pulled the cloak out of the box he would find one more gift. Honestly Shinou didn't even know what it was, but it seemed to dance when one felt happy and Shinou found it absolutely fascinating. ]

[Wherever Luke is, if he's just sitting and relaxing or if he's reading or something, without much warning, Leia takes a seat next to him. She doesn't say much initially, instead looking him over with scrutiny for a few seconds, as if she's searching for something. But she gives up on that, tilting her head slightly as she finally says what's on her mind.]

I learned something interesting today.

[Luke wasn't doing anything important, instead, something somewhat childish to some -- model building. He looks up from putting together some part of something that looks like it may have been part of a bird's wing? Who knows. He's not very far along.]

You did? What? Whatever it is, I hope it's good news. [he says, with a grin on his face]

[She looks over whatever Luke's building briefly, trying to see if she can figure it out. She can't make out much beyond that wing, and it could be pretty much anything based on that. But that's just a curiosity she can ask about later. For now, she has very important things to share with him.]

You're older, apparently. By a few minutes.

[luke sets down the parts and dusts his hands off, picking at some glue on the one that isn't fake with a grin on his face.]

Really? I'M the older one? [he glances back over to Leia and raises his eyebrows, that grin still on his face.] I thought you would have been the older one. Does this mean I need to be a big brother then?

[She mirrors his grin, because she's in a good mood anyway, but his grin is infectious anyway.]

I was surprised, too. [since she can't quite resist teasing him, when the opportunity presents itself.]

That depends on what you think an older brother should be doing.

[ I know you're on hiatus, but Luke is kinda important to Shinou or whatver! /tsun ]

[ Upon Luke's doorstep whenever he gets home is a very nicely wrapped bag of chocolates. There isn't a fancy shape or anything, but he did seem to pack a lot of chocolate into that bag. Unfortunately for Luke, if he opens the bag and takes a bite out of any of the pieces, he's going to regret it. The chocolate is nice to look at, but it tastes terrible. Who let this man bake without supervision?

There is a note on the package.]

Luke my companion

This is not a holiday I know much about, but I do know it is about love and appreciation. And I wished to show you just how much I appreciate you. One taste and you will definitely see. You are certainly a weird one, but that is something I also appreciate. Enjoy this gift, that I have so kindly made for you.

-Shinou

[Who cares that Valentine's Day isn't something celebrated in space? Not Leia. On the 14th, whenever Luke returns home, he'll find a cake box on a table in his room (in his room, so that it's safe from Han. Just to be safe). Inside are a few cupcakes with pink frosting, and chocolate heart decorations stuck on top. Each of them is a different flavored cake, just so he has a variety to try.

There's a card with it, as well, signed from Leia. Not that she thinks he'd need that to tell this is from her.]

I don't know that I say it enough, Luke, but having you here is one of the biggest comforts in this place. From what I've heard, this holiday being celebrated by the others like us is about showing you care for and appreciate those closest to you, and you are and always be one of the people I care for most.

Empatheias Inbox

ACTION. And we can backdate this to last week sometime? The 10th maybe.

that's fine!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

leia they can talk about ur feelings too.

no, they must be bottled and aged like a fine wine

o right

That is the healthy way to deal with feelings. 100% Leia approved

no subject

no subject

Audio;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I'm just going to keep spamming your inbox apparently

sort of response because i felt the need to!!!!!!

12/25

1/01

no subject

12/26

ACTION, sometime after the excursion probably

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

2/14

no subject