thefinaljedi | Appointments

[It may be some relief to note that the picture window shows Ami with dark hair and eyes, just as it should. She looks slightly tentative; as far as she knows, nothing bad happened over the past weeks, but she doesn't remember it clearly for herself and it was still probably awkward.]

Luke? I'm back.

I'd like to talk if it's alright.

[Luke is extremely relieved. He hadn't sensed the change, but then he hadn't felt anything different from when she was in the other body. It was a strange experience, seeing that. Awkward was one way to put it, and it made him feel a little odd, having feelings for a girl who was younger than most of his students at home.

His voice is steady, but definitely more upbeat than the last time they spoke.]

Of course. I'd like that a lot.

[That's because they aren't different: different lives, even different appearances, but the same heart. Always Mercury.]

Thank you. Shall I come over, then? [Is it worse to ask him to host her, or to ask him to put himself out to come over?]

[Well, Luke might argue that, but he's not the one with other versions of himself. He's just Luke.]

Of course. That's perfectly alright.

[And lets be honest, he sounds pretty happy to have someone over.]

[He does sound happy. Which makes Ami vaguely wonder if he'd been lonely, and decide it was the right thing to plan to go over there.

She says a polite goodbye over the journal, and knocks at Luke's door soon enough afterward to have gone at a slight hurry.]

[Yes, and no. Obi-Wan moved out, and his other roommates departed he's been a little lonely. But Artoo is good company.

He opens the door of course, and pulls her into a hug.]

It's good to see you back to...you.

[There's a smile with the typical near-apology.]

I hope it hasn't been too much trouble for this time.

No, no trouble.

[He pulls her inside before she can protest, still hugging]

I'm just happy to see you.

[She has to admit she loves it when he talks like that, the calm and steady reassurance. It makes it so much easier to let herself go, to act on her own feelings in return.

And to smile. There's no stiffening, no hesitation, just her arms around his almost as soon as his are around her.]

I'm happy to be back. [Something in her tone goes deeper than a simple separation for a couple weeks. She's back, in her normal frame of mind.]

[Luke's very, very glad for that contact. He was really grateful that she'd found a way to open up with him like she had. Eternally so. He even lifts her up a bit, spinning her happily and setting her inside.]

I hope you're feeling well. I admit I missed you quite a lot. It was nice, seeing that side of you. But I have to say I like you better with brown hair.

[He gives her his best smile, hoping she'll take it as the joke it's intended to be.]

[She doesn't take it as a joke. She takes it for a truth she desperately wants to hear: that he prefers her, her, even over someone so similar. It makes her smile even brighter, even as she seems to tease him in return.]

I was thinking of dyeing it... [The way her lips press together to try to hold in a laugh is all too obvious.]

[Luke smiles and kisses her on the forehead. Of course he prefers her. Why wouldn't he?]

Oh? Well, if you do...stick with natural hair colors for humans.

[Nope, now that the teasing is actually going well, she's going to keep it up.]

I thought the blue would suit me.

It would suit you, but...

[He offers a bit of a teasing smile too.]

I think you're much more beautiful with long, dark hair. That's just my preference though. Not that you're not lovely with different hair, but with blue hair you look like a Theelin.

[Much more beautiful...

There's no way at all that Ami will cut or dye her hair now, even if she'd been planning on it. And apparently it was the right thing to say, because she brightens with a smile.]

A Theelin? Really?

[That flicker of happiness there is all he needs, Luke grins and kisses her forehead again]

Really. They've got very bright colored hair in many different shades.

Maybe you'd prefer orange? [No, Ami, no. Orange would be hideous with your coloring.]

I think blue would be preferable to orange.

[He's met people with orange hair, see how he shivers]

If you're sure about all of this, I'll let you convince me to keep it brown.

[Luke gave her a small, conciliatory smile. Very well, Ami.]

Ami, would you please keep your hair brown? It's much more attractive that way, and I'd like it very much.

[Is that what you want?]

[Yes. But she shot Luke a teasing smile anyway.]

I'll think about it.

[She's sorry, Luke. It's been awhile since she's gotten to see you. She's going to be a handful for a little while.]

[He flashes her a quick grin before taking a seat on the couch.]

I'm glad you'll take it under advisement.

So. you wanted to talk about something, and I assume it wasn't your hair. Is everything alright?

It wasn't my hair. [She gives him this easily.] It's something I brought with me. I wanted to give it to you.

[It's-]

It's very late, but... please accept it anyway. [She hopes that he will, with or despite that preamble.]

Oh?

[Luke smiles, nodding cheerfully]

Of course I'll accept it, whatever it is, especially if it's from you.

[Oh, it's from her alright; she'd looked up recipes and spent quite a bit of time making it. (There'd been the first few batches that... hadn't worked out, to put it best.)

She's reasonably confident of the ones she's brought with her, though, and as she gives the small package to Luke, they turn out to be hand-made chocolates.]

I wanted to still make them. [The explanation feels a bit odd.]

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