May Mingle (Caprine)

[moonofmylife]

Who: The crew of the Caprine and visitors
Broadcast: N/a
Action: Yes
When: Throughout the month of May

[Enjoy the snacks! Sadly they are mostly goo.]

Comments

[archaeotechnician]

You ever see anyone who doesn't have a very good idea of what they're doing try to do that thing anyway?

[ that's how. ]

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka snorts with good humour.]

Well, everyone's gotta start somewhere! At least he's optimistic.

[She's had about enough of Anakin's particular brand of pessimism for a few days. Maybe this will be a nice change of pace.]

[archaeotechnician]

That's one word for it.

[ straightening, aphra views ahsoka with interest. ]

So what brings you all the way to our humble ship? Does he owe you money? Stand you up for a date?

[resnipstance]

[That earns a chuckle.]

Nothing so serious. He asked me if I could teach him how to use a lightsaber.

I think he thinks I'll go easier on him than Anakin or Obi-Wan. Boy is he in for a surprise.

[Nah, she probably still will. She just likes to talk big.]

[archaeotechnician]

[ interest doubled. ]

You have a lightsaber?

[resnipstance]

[She pats one of the two practice sabers hanging from her belt.]

Not really. My real ones were confiscated-- they all are, when we come here. But these are good enough to learn and practise with.

You know what a lightsaber is? [Because most people here don't. It's w e i r d.]

[archaeotechnician]

I've come across them once or twice. [ aphra, you're hilarious. ] They're pretty rare.

[ she doesn't even pretend to be interested in the droid anymore. setting it aside, she rests her hands on her thighs. ]

Where did you find yours?

[resnipstance]

Well yeah. They are a Jedi weapon, after all. But-- that means you're from the same world as us! [That cheers her immensely.]

I'm gonna have to disappoint you though. I didn't find them, I made them. Spent the better part of three months saving up credits and scrounging around different spare-parts shops on different planets, too. When it comes to a lightsaber, even a practice one, it just isn't the same if you don't make it yourself, you know? The weight's never right!

[archaeotechnician]

[ the pedant wants to point out she wasn't born on shili. the weapons raider wants to learn to make a lightsaber.

aphra just wants to hold one and maybe wave it around a couple of times. ]

Can't say I do. [ she makes a face. ] I've never made one. I thought that knowledge died with the Jedi.

Who taught you?

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka's face falls visibly.]

... Oh. So you're from... after, then.

[She can't quite bring herself to say it for a moment. But then she plows through it.]

After the purge, I mean. I was hoping-- ... nevermind.

[archaeotechnician]

[ realization dawns on her. ]

You're a Jedi.

[resnipstance]

Yes. ... And no.

[Ahsoka's face is carefully neutral.]

I left the Order a few weeks before I came here. Apparently, that's how I survive the purge. Or so I'm told, anyway.

[archaeotechnician]

It's tough being the survivor. That kind of thing will mess with your head. [ thick with implied meaning, but aphra does not linger.

she holds up her hands in apology. ]

No talk about Jedi. Forget I said anything. It's me, I start talking and I get excited and I invariably say something I probably shouldn't.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka shakes her head.]

It's okay-- don't worry about it. I think I already know the worst of it anyway. The Order dies, [because saying "the Order" is easier and less personal than "everyone I know and love"] the Chancellor becomes the Emperor, and the Empire turns into a Sith dictatorship. Am I right?

It doesn't matter. None of it does. Because we're going to change it.

[Obi-Wan doesn't actually agree with this plan, but Ahsoka doesn't care about that anymore. It's typical Ahsoka bullheadedness, really. She can't live with the idea of simply accepting that all that will happen, so she refuses to. Hm, wonder who she gets that particular trait from.]

[archaeotechnician]

[ cute. ]

Spoken like a true rebel.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka grins. Being told she has a future by Kanan and Hera as a rebel leader against the Empire makes that comment even funnier to her. But she's done with finding out future information, so she decides against trying to pump Aphra for any extra info she might know.]

Anyway. As for lightsabers, I'm not sure I actually can teach you how to build one. Unless you're Force-sensitive. It's something you need the Force to be able to do. That's why you don't see them around. It's not something that can be replicated by just anybody, otherwise-- well, they would.

[archaeotechnician]

Force business. [ aphra gives a slow, knowing nod. ] I'll leave that to you guys.

[resnipstance]

[That earns a chuckle.]

Is there anything else you want to know? While you've me here.

[Ahsoka can relate to having a million questions about stuff.]

[archaeotechnician]

[ blithely pointed out! ] I should probably know what to call you, kiddo.

1/2

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka blinks, surprised-- and a little bit embarrassed.]

[resnipstance]

[Somewhat sheepishly:]

Oh-- right. I guess I got a little carried away, huh?

I'm Ahsoka. Ahsoka Tano.

[archaeotechnician]

Don't worry about it. That's my life's theme so far. [ case in point.

she lifts a hand in a cheerful wave. ]

Aphra. Or 'Doctor' if you want to be formal.

[resnipstance]

Aphra. [Ahsoka has never been one for being overly formal unless the situation demands it.]

It's nice to meet you. Circumstances aside, anyway.

You're a doctor?

[archaeotechnician]

Archaeologist. So yes, I am and no to the other kind of doctor.

[resnipstance]

Ohhh.

[Ahsoka eyes widen in understanding-- archaeologist. Someone who digs up relics that no longer exist.

"No wonder she's so fascinated by Jedi stuff," is a traitorous thought her brain can't help but supply. In her stupor, all she can think to say is:]

Um. Is that... fun?