thefinaljedi | Appointments

Oh, I'm glad you and your family are okay. I'm asking other people too if they want any help - but if you're busy at the clinic, I can get back to helping on the farm so you have more time. Sorry I haven't been...

Um, but I hope it's getting better at the clinic for you and your girlfriend anyway. [ Particularly for the actual people getting treated. ] You said she works there, right? Do you have a girlfriend?

[ He's not mistaking him for somebody else is he... ]

It's perfectly alright. Whenever you feel up to it. I've had Artoo up there, when I can't make it.

And it is, yes. The workload is getting lighter as people recover. Also, yes, I do have a girlfriend. Dr. Ami Mizuno, who does work at the clinic.

I thought you did. Is she okay too? And I can make it tomorrow to the farm. Venusaur likes it up there too.

She's perfectly fine. She didn't go to Zompania.

[A pause.]

Did...you?

[ There's a brief moment of hesitation in responding, but - ]

I did. I joined the volunteers with my pokémon.

Are you alright? Are they?

[He doesn't hesitate, there's concern there.]

We're okay. There's no wounds or anything... we're fine.

Good. That's good.

If you...need to talk about anything, I'll listen.

I... I don't know. [ It feels bad. Hasn't he talked about it enough? Cried about it enough? He pinches his lips, quiet with some thought. ]

Does talking work? I just...want to help my friends. I don't want to keep sitting and thinking about it. But does talking about it really help? Sitting there and making them think about it more?

How does talking help?

[ Because -- he's been helped out, but he's still not sure. Is he really going to be helping anybody at all by digging into their feelings? ]

Talking helps you get it out. Talking isn't just about sharing, it's about getting advice. Just saying it, in a way, helps sometimes. Because it may help you feel less alone.

If you don't want to, that's fine. Not everyone does that. But if you need someone to listen...I...well, I've seen worse than that. It won't bother me.

Worse than that? Worse than... [ His voice hesitates. ] The bodies?

Yeah.

[The Death Star, the Sun Crusher, the World Devastators. Orbital bombardment. The Krytos Virus. War on a galactic scale, and all the horrors that come with it.]

There's been a war in my home for a long time. The...enemy...has little regard for life.

[ There Red goes, falling silent. He knows other worlds can be bad - there was one that stuck with his mind for a long time since he heard it where it sounded like a -- nightmare.

And war is just a bad and ugly thing to begin with, even in his mind. But - he knows it now. It's not just a guess or a feeling like it had been before. ]

...Does it get easier? [ He pauses. ] Forgetting it...?

With time, yes. Time and distance. Surround yourself with friends. Focus on the here and now. You've made it through. Now all you have to do is focus on enjoying life. Remembering how good it is.

[At least, that's what he's always done.]

[ He tries to take it all in. Talking can help, and then focusing on the now... just trying to bring in positives into their lives. ]

I... okay. [ They're just words at first, but- ] I just...I want to try and help right now. I don't know if I really can, but sitting and not trying...

[ He hushes, his voice quiet as well when he speaks again. ]

Do you think I'm being stupid? You can be honest... this isn't anything like back home. It was simpler back then, even with the criminals. I just did what I thought was right.

Well, if helping other people makes you feel better, I certainly don't mind you doing farm work. Hamal doesn't either. I'm sure he'd be happy to remind you that he's still there, and your face is still lickable.

[Luke smiles gently, though Red can't see it.]

No. I don't think you're stupid at all. This situation is confusing and difficult, and our enemy is something we know very little about. But we're soldiering through. We're alive, not dead, and we're working towards the future. Maybe someday we'll find a way to make peace with them. Or find a way to keep them from being able to attack us and the Malnosso.

Helping, doing what you can? That's pushing us forward towards that future, and every little bit of energy now can turn into a whole lot of it when things get rolling.

[ Okay, the part about licking does get a scoff of a laugh from Red. Congrats. ]

Mm, I guess... I've got to try and stay more positive myself. I'll try. We've got to be strong. I don't know if I want to see those things again, but-- I know it's got to be done. We've got to keep fighting.

[ He digs his nail into his trousers. ]

Thanks, Luke. Um, but I'm sorry I turned this into about me. I wanted see if I could help you...

[ Even if Luke was way older than him. ]

It's fine, Red. Really.

[Luke lets a small bit of amusement seep into his tone.]

I'm here to help. That's what Jedi do.

It's in the job description?

[ Yeah, maybe some amusement in Red's voice in return. ]

You could say that, yes.

[Especially after he re-wrote the code.]

But if I can help you, you've got to let me know okay? Or your family. Promise?

Yes. Yes of course.

[He means it too.]

For now just looking after Hamal is enough though.

Alright... I better let you get back to what you were doing. Are you still at the clinic?

I'm about to leave, actually. My shift is over and Mia's coming to take over.

I'll talk to you later, Red.

Okay. Bye, Luke!

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