ataraxion | Video

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People disappear a lot here. Anyone who's been here more than two jumps knows that by now. That there's no predicting the comings and goings.

[Nothing new so far. As he said.]

But what really bothers me is... it bothers me less, now. This is the third time, with Luke. I think that I might actually be getting used to it.

[And that's actually quite horrifying.]

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Someone has come and gone three times?

I apologize, for your friend. I am only surprised to hear such frequency.

Three times in the past two years. He's... family, of a sort.

[It's complicated]

Then I am sorry.

[She isn't sure what else she can say. There is a curiosity about it, but it seems inappropriate to ask anything further. It isn't her business, especially when the man is somewhat grieving.]

I hadn't seen him since he was a baby. But I've become fond of him here. All three times.

[Three times. That's the sticking point.]

...It is as difficult not to lose heart as it is to secure it, certainly.

You are not alone in the struggle, but it must still come as alarming to realize we adjust to our struggles so resolutely that they do not seem so anymore.

Were that I could say something of more comfort.

In the end it comes down to two years being a long time.

Though why the ship has such a fondness for finding and losing the boy, we may never know.

Is he of your relation?

In a sense. He's my daughter's brother by birth.

[Turns out there's no word for that non-relation]

You'll... have to pardon me? I don't quite follow.

That is to say, he is perhaps your step-son then...?

Not exactly.

[There isn't an actual word for this relationship. They'd tried.]

We adopted Leia when she was a baby.

Ah- I see. And her brother, by an elsewise family?

Yes, it was safest that way. It was a difficult time for the galaxy.

She was in danger?

The Emperor had just risen to power. He would have found the twins... useful, if he'd known they had survived.

[And how threatening the word useful can be in the right context]

Can't say that I have much experience with people coming and going out of my life like that so often.

[There was that time with Tracy, but they don't talk about that.]

But I have learned that it's lack of not caring that can eat at you more than the caring that the person's gone. As long as you remember them when they were here, you probably won't carry around guilt for not wanting them in a place that promises pain and grief on a normal basis.

Specially a fairly sweet kid like that Luke.

I suppose I should consider myself fortunate to have even learned what became of him.

[He'd wondered, now and then, in the dark of night. Never by light of day. Too dangerous. And he knew their paths would never cross again in life.]

It's something that you can take comfort in, sure. But I understand you got your hands full with that daughter of yours.

[She's a practical kind of person. She has sentiments, but she focuses on what she can do.]

I've always found it best to start at what can be done and worry about non-essentials later.

She'll be troubled to lose her brother.

[It's the first time, for her. He must remember that.]

I imagine she would be. Not easy losing those we love to things that don't make sense.

[She can't think about what going home meant for her and Wash though. Not a pleasant thought by half.]

As for you, you just stay by her and be her dad. Doubt she's looking for more than that. And helping her will probably help you in the long run.

[He tries not to think of what going back means for him, in fifteen years]

That's probably true. She's been my world since I brought her home.

It was easier to keep her from pain, then.

I can see how you'd get used to it. You can get used to a lot of things if they happen a lot.

I'm sorry though.

Two years is a long time

It is. I didn't think I was going to be stuck here this long.

There are only a couple dozen who have been.

[He's in Comms. He has these numbers.]

Are we keeping records of how long people have been on here?

We can get it from the numbers

Makes sense. ...I'm only really starting to make friends now. So I haven't lost many people yet. And the only person from my world, I was glad to see go.

[Making friends is hard and Wheatley was always a potential threat.]

It's still worth it.

It can just be difficult. Except, occasionally, when it's easier to not have certain people present.

You're right. I'm just really new to it. The entire concept of it really. I have a few I think would be called friends now.

Oh, Leia is one.

The tree does not ask the birds to stay, holds fast and safe to the soil for something solid when they return.

Poetic... but there's always been a certain truth to poetry.

[ someone looks more than a little ragged right now, but he has been pinged by mention of Luke.]

Wait, wait-- so you can vanish just as easily as you appear? What the hell kind of place is this?

Solo. You're back.

[He doesn't look terribly impressed with this development.]

...uh, yeah.

[ he has been in enough shit in his life to know that that tone of voice does not bode well for him.

but hey, he doesn't flinch. just scratches the back of his head and hopes that murder isn't looked upon fondly here. ]

Apparently? I mean, can't say I remember the first time...

And how, precisely, do you intend to treat my daughter this time? Memories or not.

[Because he is oh so very suspicious. Since so far he's seen nothing of the man who raised dear Jaina.]

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