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

"If it was the only way of protecting them?"

... Hell, I'd seen that choice a couple of times before. Usually, my answer had been 'find a third option,' but I didn't know how long that would be true.

I had a lot of options very similar to this, back home. Lasciel's coin, Mab's offer to become the Winter Knight, the Darkhallow, they all would give me power, possibly- probably- at the expense of my own soul.

I'd always been able to find a third option, but what if I couldn't? What if the day came when I was out of options? When somebody, somebody I loved, somebody I cared about... Molly, Michael, Billy or the rest of the Alphas, Thomas... my daughter... somebody would die without my help, and I needed that power to protect them?

"... Yes."

Edited 2012-08-03 18:51 (UTC)

Then you see my problem, don't you? I...failed to protect Ami, my dear friend. I want to make myself stronger, so I can at least attempt to prevent that from happening in the future.

"Makes sense to me, but the question I'd ask- not asking you to tell me, but just to consider- what options do you have to become more powerful, and what will happen if you lose control of that power?"

I'd considered such morbid questions before. It was a tough one to consider, but fortunately, neither of the two most palatable options would render me immortal, and I knew a guy who could probably kill me if he had to.

Killing Luke Skywalker didn't sound like an option to me, and I was betting it didn't sound like one to him, either.

Truthfully? There is a form of lightsaber combat, and a mentality that goes with it that would afford me greater power. And attempting to strengthen my connection to the divining aspects of the Force to better foresee danger. The consequences? Bad. But power that comes with it could be worth at least taking tentative steps towards learning.

I paused for a moment, considering the options.

When I spoke, it was quiet and serious.

"Tell you what I'd do, then. I'd go for it. But first, I'd make sure there was a damn good plan in case I got too far gone. Somebody who could snap me out of it, even disable me if they had to." My voice took a hint of wry humor as I added, "Y'know, like Batman's kryptonite ring."

Which would go clear over his head, because Batman didn't exist on his world.

"Er. Nevermind. Point is, I'd make sure somebody was set to stop me if it went too far, but I'd still do it. If I had to so I could protect somebody, I'd do it."

[Exactly what Luke had wanted. Someone who wasn't Obi-Wan Kenobi or Anakin to act as a watchdog. He didn't get the joke, but...he made a note to investigate Batman at some point]

Then Harry, I'll ask you to be my spotter. I know you can sense things with your magic. And with the Mage Group you're putting together I think you and the others could put a stop to me if I fell too hard. You're familiar with Dark Side corruption enough through the movies I think.

Oh, hell's bells. Me. He was asking me to sense when he had gone over the edge.

"... But wouldn't you prefer somebody you... knew a little better?"

You mean Obi-Wan? Or Anakin? No. I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to stop me even if I did.

"... And you think we could?"

I do. Consider it a vote of confidence. Though I should warn you, if I fall, your magic circles don't block the Force. Lupin and I checked.

I'd rather you talked me down before it got that far though.

"I dunno, man... of course I'd try, but me, I'm not much of a diplomat.

And don't worry, I've got defenses beyond that circle trick. They just aren't something I can teach unless you have magical talent of some sort. The circle's really more of a focusing tool anyway, the protection is just a side-effect."

... Note to self. Put on To-Do list: Work on a circle to hold a Jedi.

Ooookay, that wasn't gonna be easy. Back-burner. But it was a thought.

Good enough. Again, its just not something I want Obi-Wan or Anakin to have to deal with. The Dark Side...it can spread. Its best for non Jedi to deal with it if possible, in my experience.