all aboard the ss royalty

[actsmagnificent]

Who: Crew of the SS Bishop & friends, visitors, interlopers!
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Aboard the Bishop
When: This week

[ Bishopites! How is station life treating you? Can you fit all the stuff you bought with your casino winnings into your bunk, or did you lose your last boring jumpsuit when Lady Luck abandoned you? Has anyone touched the gumball crates yet? Have at each other here and mingle away! ]

Comments

[t65]

You can? [That's a cheering thought, in the midst of all this. Leia is farther along than he'd thought.]

I keep expecting that cold, when I talk to- to Anakin. But he's like a bonfire. [Yet there's something familiar at the center, that spans the gap of decades.] I don't know what the Dark Side does to people, but it did that to him. I'm sure of it.

[imahologram]

It had to have. [She remembers what it felt like to be in Emperor Palpatine's presence as well as Vader's; the chill they both exuded wasn't normal.

There is a long pause as Leia debates speaking further. She hasn't even said this to Han--but then, she couldn't, really.]

When we spoke, I felt sorry for him. He wants to make things right, but he doesn't know where to begin, and I...I couldn't tell him. [I didn't know. Her grip on Luke's hand tightens.] But just because he regrets something he hasn't done yet doesn't mean he won't do it in the future. We can't forget that.

[t65]

I know, Leia. Believe me. It's his future, maybe, but it's our past. Nothing can undo it. [He grips her hand in turn, careful, as always, not to grip too tightly and risk damaging the delicate synthskin covering.]

But while he's here, as he was... I want to try to know him. I'm not sure he wants me to, but... [I have to try.] And you have to choose your own path.

[imahologram]

If that's what you want [of course it is, of course it is], just...be careful.

[She can't join him in this, but she can't tell him not to get to know Anakin for his own self. She might as well tell Tatooine not to have two suns.]

[t65]

I will, Leia. I don't know how close he is to... the man he becomes. [The thing, the creature, no, he can never say that of Vader. Not when he's looked in his entirely too human eyes.] But I have to try.

[He looks up at Leia.] Is there anything you... want me to do? To not tell him?

[imahologram]

I know. [She can't follow him there, but she can at least understand his need to know the man.

At the question, Leia shakes her head. Nothing comes to mind for several long moments. And then, in a low, slightly pained voice:]

Don't tell him about Jabba. Please.

[t65]

I would never. [He's surprised by her even bringing it up, but then, perhaps it bears mentioning.] I swear, Leia; you have my word.

[imahologram]

I know.

[It's not like they've spoken on it since in any real depth; for the most part, they've gone on as though it didn't happen. Bringing it up at all leaves her with a strangely guilty tang in her mouth, as though mentioning it serves as an accusation of what Luke might say. And so, as explanation (and perhaps a little apology):]

That's the only thing.