thefinaljedi | 10th Transmission: Fading Moonlight [Action/Voice/Written]

[Action, Town Clinic]

[Luke had intended on doing something nice for Ami that evening, since she was stuck at the clinic on her shift until late in the evening. He'd spent most of the afternoon preparing a meal for the two of them to share, but when he arrived at the clinic he'd found something that turned his blood to ice. Signs of a struggle, papers strewn about, and a hastily scrawled note in familiar handwriting. She'd been abducted. Luke took a moment to take stock of the situation before his anger got the better of him and he slammed his cybernetic fist into the wall, leaving a solid dent. Apparently, Catherine's promise to Luke had meant little to nothing, if she had been taken. That stung. A lot.

Inside he was seething, but outside Luke began cleaning up the mess the kidnappers had left, the food forgotten and responsibility taking over. He could keep the tears out of his eyes, for having failed to protect her, the guilt setting in as it had for Lupin and Adele.

Anyone around the clinic, feel free to poke at him. He later sends a few written messages and a broadcast after he's regained control of his voice and his emotions. He needs to talk, otherwise the anger will take hold again, so...]

[Written, Private to Trafalgar Law]

Law, its Luke. The Malnosso have abducted Doctor Mizuno. In her absence, I will take over her shifts. I feel like I should do something to help out, so that things can keep going smoothly.

[Written, Private to Adele Leblanc]

Adele, I may need your help at the Clinic. Ami's been kidnapped, and I'm going to take over her shifts at the Clinic. If something comes up that I can't deal with, I hope I can rely on you. I feel I should help, so that service isn't interrupted.

[Voice]
Good evening everyone, this is Luke Skywalker. I've got a few things to talk about, so I'd like to say.

First, I'd like to welcome all of the New Feathers, or returning residents. I'm a little late in doing so, and for that I apologize. If you should require help with anything, please don't hesitate to send me a message or come by House 46. I would be glad to offer any assistance I can. The same, of course, applies to any residents, not just New Feathers.

Second, I'd like to extend an offer to anyone who is interested in working with what limited resources we have available to further improve quality of life in the village. I've had some success with Mister Stark and R2D2, as well as Doctor Eggman, in creating some basic technological implements, But technology isn't entirely what I had in mind. I recently became aware that we have a large section of land that is, or was, farmland. I'm wondering if anyone still works with them, and if not would anyone be interested in helping to get them operational again? In light of recent events I am of the opinion that providing food for ourselves when we can would never be an unwise decision. Would anyone be willing to help with this?

Finally, I have a philosophical musing for anyone keen to such things. If one already possesses great power, is it strange to desire more? Down the same vein, what does power mean to you? Is it something you crave for yourself, or for others? And...what good is having power if you cannot use it?

Please, share your thoughts, and take care.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Earth is even weirder if Luke stops to consider all of the variations of it that are represented in Luceti.]

That depends entirely on who you talk to, Luke. More people have that problem than you realize. [Adele with her anxiety, Fujiko with her caginess, Helios and his problems...the list goes on.] Most just don't talk about it.

...You've probably met a few who have confidence issues all ready.

I'm not that naive, Lupin. I've seen the problems that people have. I don't consider being uncertain about your appearance a problem. Confidence doesn't come from looking good. Looking good is a mask.

...A lot of people live by masks, whether it's appearances or something else. Some choose to be defined by them, while others just use them to get by until they figure themselves out.

Like you.

[Not a question, a statement]

[A statement that was wholly expected.]

I'm a thief, and a damn good one. Everyone in my profession spends their lives shadowed in tricks and deceit.

Right. I know that, Lupin.

[That statement was...almost patronizing. Luke had to hide, and knew a lot more about the underground life than Lupin probably knew]

What's on your mind?

[Because--that tone. There had to be something else.]

Lupin. I'm not that oblivious to living under the law, you know. You...say this like I don't have a clue.

Edited 2012-07-31 01:36 (UTC)

I do know--but you asked me before to drop the walls. It's not easy, you know. Even with you.

...for the record, I haven't told you an direct lie. At all.

I know that. But don't treat me like I live in an ivory tower. I've done some pretty unscrupulous things too.

[Really, he's tired of being treated like a kid]

And I know. I can tell when someone's lying.

You don't need to treat me with the kid gloves then. I'm as capable as the Commander; our skills are just a little different.

I don't. I wouldn't have asked you for your help if I felt you needed to be coddled.

Really? [Because he's not convinced.]

Really. It doesn't mean I won't stop you from being an idiot, but that isn't coddling. That's being the responsible one.

Right. [He had made far worse mistakes back at home when compared to these. But, here it was different. He had been able to keep his head.]

...I wouldn't trust you like I do if I placed you on a pedestal, Luke, but it's hard to keep jumbled memories straight sometimes. You're both the man and the legend to me, depending on the day. Do you know how strange that is?

Yes, I do. Lupin. I live in a house with my father and my mentor during their prime years. What do you think that's like?

...

This place is fucking weird.

You don't say!

[He grins despite himself--leave it to Luke to be a total mood breaker.]

All right, all right. [Lupin sighs, glad for the distraction.] Tell ya what--lets just have an open door policy. No withholding things, no secrets, none of that.

[It worked with him and Smoker, but there was that respect of differing moralities and a complete lack of shame on both sides. It was mutual stalking, and mutual confidence, that kept their friendship so open and strangely honest.

There was no reason why it couldn't work here.]

I thought thats what we have? I have withheld nothing, if you've asked about it. I don't wear a mask. And I am every bit as bewildered by Luceti as you.

Not quite what I meant. That's a matter of knowing the right questions to ask.

...look. If you just want to talk to someone or get something off your chest, you use me as a bouncing board. I'm not used to talking, even to my friends, but I can try to do the same.

Sounds reasonable, Lupin. But I expect you to try too. If a man like Lando, as shady as he is, can talk to me. You can too.

...

[It was a tall order, but one that he had been hearing from all sides. Trust and openness were called for, when those were the key things that he always had a hard time with.]

I have a ton of faith in my friends even back home, but faith doesn't always mean open communication. We've been allies as often as enemies--it's safer to play the cards close until the end game. Always.

...I'll give it a shot. I've never seen a relationship back home, even just among friends, as anything less than a complicated mess. It's always kept me on my toes, but its not for everyone.

Bad habits. I've got a lifetime of them. But...I'll try.

You do. And I've got my own issues. Some have accused me of being too trusting, but considering the people I surround myself with? Even here, the worst among them is a thief with a heart of gold, and perhaps Doctor Eggman.

Keep trustworthy people around you, and you'll never have to worry about them faltering on you.

['trustworthy people.' But then he wouldn't be a thief--and then there was Fujiko to consider...

Lupin sighed, but felt content.]

All right then. I...guess that's settled.

Thanks, Luke. Again, thanks.

[Action at 46]

thefinaljedi - 2012-07-31 04:06 (UTC) - Expand

redjacketthief - 2012-07-31 04:12 (UTC) - Expand

thefinaljedi - 2012-07-31 04:14 (UTC) - Expand

redjacketthief - 2012-07-31 04:17 (UTC) - Expand

10th Transmission: Fading Moonlight [Action/Voice/Written]

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