thefinaljedi | Appointments

[Adele...of course...says this RIGHT as Luke has just taken a sip of tea. Startled...he actually can't help but spit take. Tea sprays all over the table as his eyes widen]

You...are quite serious, aren't you? How? Why?

[He really can't believe this woman. Or his own idiocy. Here he was, talking about going back to Han and Leia, to search for Callista, and deal with...well...living, and she already had one foot in the grave]

I'm...sorry, I should have guessed, and been more sensitive.

...

[She honestly hadn't meant to time it quite like that. Adele takes the nearest napkin and starts mopping up the spat out tea, noting that just a little managed to reach her blouse. Well. Now she'll have to go home and change. Merde. Explaining is. Difficult, to phrase. But she is blunt, and she keeps her voice gentle. Kind.]

The aforementioned situation. Was...terribly dangerous. My own foolish actions landed me in a situation where the only outcome was my death. From my best estimate I've thirty to sixty seconds before I bleed out. Why....well. That is the hardest to answer.

I was shot. Repeatedly, would be the simplest. The people I could not help? I managed to save them. That is the most noble way of putting it. I did something foolish and paid for it. That is the most honest. All are true. [She reaches across and rests a hand on Luke's.]

You did not know. It is not something I have told many, and as I have said. Spending time with you, with Ben? Has helped me come to peace with it. There is no reason for you to apologize.

Shot. [That's certainly not something he'd have figured her to have been. Maybe a car accident, maybe sickness, but shot?]

You don't have to thank me. You've been a good friend, and one of the people I'm glad to have met. For what its worth, I consider you to be a shining example of reasons Luceti isn't too bad. [Right along with Ben, Anakin, and Ami...but he says nothing]

Sorry about the tea. You...surprised me.

You should have seen the other guy. [A terribly weak attempt at humor, but it's an attempt none the less.]

I am grateful for the opportunity to know you as well Luke. I think my stay here would have been much more difficult without your and Ben's friendship, and knowing you has made this place bearable.

Never before have I witnessed an actual...what is the term? Spit take. That. I honestly had not meant to time it that way.

I suppose I should have. I'm sure he was surprised to see you turn violent. I know I'd never expect it.

And I'm glad you feel that way. Its not always easy for me to interact with people such as yourself, given my position at home. But its nice, being reminded that there are other things in life besides Galactic war, constant training, and teaching.

Its nice to get away from my ivory tower and spit-take every once in a while. [Thats as close as she'll get to levity from him now]

Surprise was the only reason I managed as much as I did.

[And that was the last she was going to say on it. At this point? It would only upset or disturb Luke more; and she does not want that.]

The little things are important. Tea. Sleep deprivation. Strange women that watch people fall off of buildings. [A soft smile.] Movie marathons. I am glad that you're able to experience these things here, even if the situation is not ideal.

The little things are important, too. Oftentimes, more important than the big things. Sunrises on Tatooine, time spent with friends and family, bad jokes, and homecooked food.

Those little things? They can make a big difference.

I'm hoping I can make as big a difference to you as you have to me, even if its here.

They are what make life worthwhile. The big things are what you strive to achieve. The little? What keeps us sane and centered.

[She sips her tea, and squeezes Luke's hand before pulling hers back.]

You have already Luke. Trust me in this if nothing else.

And you'd be surprised how many little things can change one big one. Really, it only takes just one.

And I do trust you. You've gotten a lot stronger since we met. Though I attribute that to becoming adjusted here.

Such as a man falling off a building, or a question about Valentines day traditions.

[Both, by themselves, weren't terribly remarkable events. But they'd been the start of her association with the Jedi in truth. Adele hadn't thought much of it at the time but now? She is glad for them.]

Being taken from when I was didn't help much when it came to understanding what happened. For the first day, I thought this a hallucination. Afterward? Hell. Now I am better able to wrap my mind around the situation. Knowing you and Ben has given me quite the baseline for keeping life here in perspective.

[He actually fidgits a bit at the mention of Valentines. That was an embarrassing time for him]

Well, I thought I was dreaming myself. Honestly, for the first few days I thought I'd been abducted and there would be rancors and stormtroopers shooting at me soon.

I'm glad though. This place isn't hell. Its just different.

No, it's not hell. Just...it is what it is. One day they'll either find a consistent way to send us home, or a villager will manage to escape. Though if they do manage to send us back; they might also be able to pull others here. Target specific individuals. Had I the ability I know that is what I would do.

True, but that assumes they are doing anything at all save containing us. I don't think they have the know-how to manage it.

That worries me more than it does assuage my fears. Nothing is more dangerous than tools in the hands of the ignorant.

Well, if you think about it, they are nothing more than twisted children.

...you are not helping the 'assuage my fears' part of this conversation at all Luke.

Sometimes its better to be a little afraid, than to be too complacent. They've not killed us all yet. Thats something, at least.

You are talking to a woman that has three knives on her person at any given time. I do not think I need a lesson in the health that comes from paranoia.

We're of more use to them alive. For the moment.

I'm sure we'll be useful for a good long while yet. Don't you worry.

Whatever shall I do with all the time I spent worrying instead?

Why, spend it having tea, of course?

[And now, of course, it is Adele's turn to be mid-sip when Luke lets out that little quip. She chokes and covers her mouth with a hand, managing to avoid her own spit-take. Barely. Once she's swallowed and wiped her mouth she can't help but laugh.]

Drat, I was hoping I'd get you.

You. You are terrible. You are bad and you should feel bad for it.

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