+156~

[jedimindtrick]

Who: Obi-Wan Kenobi (jedimindtrick) and OPEN
When: August 1st and beyond
Where: Misc. Locations
What: Catch-all for shenanigans and general threads for the month of August.
Warnings: Will update as needed.

The darkened atmosphere — half-power everywhere — is a suitable reflection of Obi-Wan Kenobi status as of late. With so much change, it's become increasingly difficult for Obi-Wan to feel connected. Beyond his run-in with the slaver, Tak Fren, the after-effects still with him well after the fact, he's found that the added structure to their everyday lives means that people are a little more difficult to run in to by chance alone.

While attempting to rectify his severance from life as he's come to know it, Kenobi takes his spare time to wander to and fro, wondering after those he happens to run across, seeking out those he doesn't. When he's not meditating, he's testing his crippled connection to the Force. When he's not testing that connection, he's picking up shifts in whatever department will take him. In what little time that leaves, he's taking care of those who mean a great deal to him.

Life aboard the Moira has never been easy, but this feels simple. With any luck, that's the truth of it, and this isn't just the calm before another storm.

[[ Need a starter or want to plot ahead? Hit me up via PM! ]]

Comments

08/02 - Leia

[jedimindtrick]

He's only been returned from the outpost a handful of days now, resting and recuperating (by little choice of his own), tending to others who won't rest and recuperate themselves. It's hectic and exhausting and time passes far too quickly, but at least it looks at if none of them are in any current peril beyond the obvious.

Guessing it would only be a matter of time before they run into each other doesn't suit Obi-Wan, but considering the last time they spoke — under duress and watchful eyes — he doesn't feel a message over the MIDs is appropriate either. Particularly for the questions he knows he has to ask.

Hanging back, he waits until he sees an opening and then slides in next to the young woman on her way from one place to another. "Leia, would you mind if I walked with you? I was hoping to hear how you're feeling." It's busy enough with all the new arrivals, but Obi-Wan can't imagine himself taking up too much of her time.

[imahologram]

Leia has spent the last few days as focused on her work as she can be. Between the sudden appearance of a new captain, with new expectations for the ship, and her own ugly memories of the weeks on the outpost, she's had reason to throw herself into small tasks. Her goal is to wear herself out until she doesn't have to think when she's lying in bed next to Han and everything is quiet and still.

One of those small tasks, she's just finished up, when she hears a familiar voice at her side. She doesn't feel him in the Force first, though she knows on some level she ought to. The Force feels even more distant now that Luke is nowhere to be found; the difficulty she first felt when Anakin's future became known to her has blossomed into an almost indescribable blockage. That she's ignoring it, to the best of her ability, likely doesn't help.

"If you'd like," she says, the polite way of admitting I can't stop you. Obi-Wan's presence can be such a comfort--when they aren't discussing Anakin, at least--but talking about how she's feeling isn't quite so pleasant a thought. She knows just what he means when he inquires, but for the moment, she answers generally, politely. "I've been fine, thank you. I hope you have, too."

[jedimindtrick]

"Recuperating, yes," he suggests, although it certainly lacks all the quantifying details. Sleeping and eating was important for a day or two after his return, but in the remaining time, he's found himself busy with tasks beyond his usual routine.

Between them, feels something there, like a great knot, but it's not nearly so obvious to him what it's forecasting, only that it comes from Leia, and that whatever it is doesn't rightly belong. He presses on.

"I've been wanting to speak with you about a great list of things," Obi-Wan confesses, hopeful that a straightforward approach won't feel like a heavy hand. "But I can't imagine that's much of a surprise — I've been told I talk too much. However, with the excessive amount of new arrivals, the changing of the guard, and this half-power situation — not to mention a great many other things — it feels... necessary."

[imahologram]

"I'm glad to hear it." She doesn't know what became of him after that brief, ill-fated meeting, but she doubts the answer is anything good. Especially not if he feels he's been recuperating, not merely continuing life as usual. The longer anyone was on the outpost, the more dangerous their lives surely became, but she'd hoped Obi-Wan had escaped the worst of it.

But perhaps he didn't.

"Perhaps we should sit down somewhere private," Leia offers. She's not one for avoiding unpleasant subjects when she can justify directness, and there's no reason to play the indirect diplomat for Obi-Wan. They're already quarreled, and sharply. While she's not convinced they won't do so again, at least they can have their discussion without beating around the ki-a-ki bush. "My quarters aren't far, if you have time."

08/04 - Han

[jedimindtrick]

Going down the list, he could keep himself busy for months checking in on everyone. It's slower now — the new arrivals, familiar and unfamiliar alike provide a challenge in their added numbers alone — but even with obstructions, he makes what time he can to see those he cares for.

When last he'd talked to Han, the conversation had been a bit heavier than expected. In the time since, the memory has grown and mutated, turned into something that feels far too ugly in retrospect. Unfair, even, although Kenobi gets the sense that Solo isn't quite the type to hold a grudge. He hopes, at least.

He finds the Millennium Falcon, guessing that's where he'll have the best chance at locating the other man. He's not wrong. As he sees Han working at something beneath his ship, Obi-Wan approaches quietly (but not too quietly).

"Looks like I'm in luck," the Jedi Master says, voice quiet and smooth. "Just the person I was looking for." He smiles and lingers nearby. "Hello, Han."

[straightouttacarbonite]

One great thing about the Falcon-- there's always something to be fixed to provide a ready distraction when you need it. Which these days he does, far too often.

Maybe he ought to be more surprised to see the Jedi, but he knows Kenobi well enough that this seems like the kind of thing that's inevitable. Eventual. He hasn't seen any reason to seek the other man out, after the way they left things last they spoke, but he's not holding a grudge by a longshot. Maybe it's misguided or short-sighted, from Han's point of view, but Kenobi cares for Anakin and-- maybe that's not so easy to brush aside.

"Ben," he returns the greeting with a nod, short only because he's busy hauling himself up from under the freighter, abandoning the landing gear half-reassembled. "You're looking in the right place."

One of his more regular haunts, at least.

[jedimindtrick]

Had Han been mysterious with his whereabouts, perhaps Obi-Wan would have never found him, particularly in this state. But people are arguably creatures of habit — humans especially — and at times like these — hard times — they typically stick to what they know. In the end, it was a pretty safe bet he'd find Han here.

"I'm glad that hasn't changed," he gripes halfheartedly. It's starting to feel as if he could use a little less variety these days.

Hands disappearing into his sleeves, he folds in on himself as he steps a little closer. "I know it's been—" Ages. What feels like an eternity. "—too long since we last spoke. I likely could have messaged, but I feel it's more appropriate to call on you personally."

It's not a very promising start. Too many words. But he's really only wanting to ask one thing: "How are you?"

[straightouttacarbonite]

Given how constant change has been, lately, Han couldn't disagree. They've had enough action for a good long while, he thinks. Funny how Kenobi's grousing has become familiar, almost endearing in its way. This is what his life has apparently become: accidentally making friends Jedi.

"Me?" Frequently his favorite topic of conversation, actually, except when he's supposed to be saying something of real meaning and depth.

"I'm fine, I guess. Why?"

[romanticsoul]

While Obi-Wan is trying to make time to check in on all those he cares for, Satine makes a point of making time to check in on him. She may not have the same capabilities that he does to sense what is going on with a person, but she doesn't need the Force to know that what happened on the outpost has dimmed the light within him.

She has no illusions of being able to rekindle it alone, but she is certainly bound and determined to do what she can to help him as he works through whatever damage has been done to his spirit.

She seeks him out in his room, peeking inside to see if he's there.

"Ben?"

[jedimindtrick]

Satine is a surprise visitor, although not an unwelcome one, so when he hears her voice, it inspires a smile that's his usual mixture of cockiness and admiration.

"I'm here," he says from his pod bed, his voice quiet and even. He's propped in under the dome of the bed, his back leaned haphazardly against some pillows, with his sketchbook on his legs and a pencil whittled to nothing between his graphite-covered fingers. Nestled next to him — the real reason he doesn't get up to greet her — are the three kittens they've taken on, all sleeping soundly, curled against his legs on either side.

Brushing at his fingers fruitlessly, he then gestures to the open space next to him. "Sit, please." No need for pretense here, not anymore. "Did I ever thank you properly for coming to rescue me? It's—" He makes a noise, something non-committal. "It's all been a blur since we returned."

[romanticsoul]

She does hope that the slight edge of a challenge that has always been between them will never grow dull, it is after all a part of what made her fall for him so completely. They are equals, effortlessly matching each other in their verbal sparring matches.

She crosses the room to sit down next to him, careful not to disturb the kittens and putting a hand on his shoulder to lean in and kiss his cheek in greeting.

"Thank Ahsoka. Without here I would have accomplished nothing except becoming a slave myself."

[jedimindtrick]

Welcoming, he leans into her kiss but avoids touching her for fear of smearing her clothing with pencil lead.

"I don't think I could express enough gratitude to either of you. Considering the past circumstances, it could be argued that I'm fairly decent at caring for myself." He laughs, somehow finding good humor in this. Possibly because he hasn't considered a darker purpose might have played out. "By me, of course. Which, incidentally, was proven to be incorrect."

He's a fool. Often enough that he's willing to admit it.

"The fact that you came all the way to save me speaks plainly, Satine. Thanks is most certainly in order. You didn't have to risk you life, but you did." And there's no denying that.

[bloodbinds]

Neither Obi-Wan nor Ava uses their room very often except, sometimes, to sleep. It's the only place she feels safe enough to rest, especially when either Anakin or Obi-Wan is close. And she can't lie and say the kittens they have aren't helping too. Ava's left her bed-capsule open to let them crawl around and sleep near her when they want, to provide a sense of comfort.

When the lights go out and things get colder, she isn't so perturbed by it. She's cold enough being dead. It's just another excuse to rest and recover from their journey in the Runoff, and the Caducan attack prior. She hears someone return, rousing her from dozing, a kitten in her lap where she sits against her bed, two sleeping in the bed-pod sprawled out. The only light in the room for the moment is the light on the silent droid in the corner, carefully guarded by Ava herself to ensure no one takes it if this new captain and first mate are determined to think it 'junk'.

She doesn't open her eyes when he comes in, hearing his heartbeat, knowing the aura he carries (dimmer, now, and quieter) and the sense of the Force around him (also quiet, too quiet) as he goes. For a moment, she says nothing, somewhat feigning sleep - or feigning meditation. Eventually, she murmurs, "We never catch much of a break around here, do we?"

[jedimindtrick]

"Mm," it's a noise of acknowledgement, one that buys him time to consider his answer. Truthfully, he doesn't remember the last time he had a real break. Perhaps when he was young, when his Master was still alive and the war had yet to begin. Since then there's been respite, but never in great quantities. Never true rest.

"I suppose it depends on one's perspective," he finally says, as diplomatic as ever. But there's more, of course, because Ava has earned so much in the time they've known each other, he's not about to hold back his actual opinions. "But from mine, I'd have to say no, we don't catch many breaks."

And yet he still counts himself fortunate even after saying that. Things could be worse — so much worse than this strange and unfortunate disconnect — and there's no ignoring that fact. Not when people came home scarred in more ways than the obvious.

"Did I wake you?" Normally, it wouldn't be a question he'd have to ask.

[bloodbinds]

She makes a sound in her throat that's not quite a snort but also not quite a laugh. Obi-Wan is delicate with his wording because he's always trying to toe that line. "Our ship gets attacked, at least half of us nearly die, and then we're stuck on a slaver outpost." And now, a new captain, who seems far less friendly than the ones they've had. She doesn't rightly know what to think but the shut down of the Ingress, while useful, isn't one she's entirely comfortable with.

After a moment, Ava opens her eyes and sits up a little better, back still pressed against the lip of her bed. The kitten in her lap - Pauldron - is carefully scooped up and put beside the others on her bed so they can rest. "No, I was dozing. Not much to do besides work and sleep when the power's down low enough to freeze someone's toes off." Not hers, of course. "My sleep schedule's messed up, anyway." She's been sleeping during half of the day and half of the night now that she can have a few hours in the sun per day. On the ship, it's easier to right her schedule again.

She turns to Obi-Wan, looking up at him in the darkness. "How are you doing? Since the Runoff..." He's been quieter. It shows in every way she can see. But Ava's also wrestled with her own guilt and inner terror at finding out he had been taken and how she couldn't find him. Anakin did, at least. She's beyond grateful. "Are you doing okay?"

[jedimindtrick]

Obi-Wan's found he's come to appreciate the question less and less, if only because the answer he gives in return always feels incredibly lacking. Everyone understands that something isn't right — anyone close to him, at least, and Ava certainly qualifies — but it's not as if everything is wrong.

"I've survived much worse," he says, and while it's not snappish in any way, it's strained and delivered as an aside, as if this is child's play. And, arguably, compared to most injuries (if this could even be called that), this barely rates. He could live with this indefinitely if he had to, not that it would be his choice if given one.

When he moves to his bed, he sighs as he sits, feeling older than he rightfully should. "But... I've certainly been better." He smirks, slightly amused. "It's a practice in balance, as always."

8/5ish

[ex_forcechoke292]

[He's spent the better part of the last week trying distinctly to not think about the two that had proceeded it. With Padmé back, a whole slew of new arrivals, and a literal changing of the guard (complete with room inspections that make him feel very much like he's back on Tatooine--the Order may not have trusted him implicitly, but it trusted its Padawans more than this), there hasn't been much time for prolonged contemplation.

But after the lights had gone down on the deck entirely a couple days ago and the internal temperature hasn't gotten any better, being especially productive seems to be something of a tall order.

He might run with the heat of a dragon's breath wound around his insides, but right now? Anakin's fairly sure he hasn't felt this cold since leaving Tatooine the first time, when the shock of his first real bout of space travel really set in. At least with missions on frigid planets, he'd been allowed to prepare.

When he comes back into the room, late as usual with all the activity on the ship at a sudden high (or is it that it's never really calmed down?), he sets immediately to complaining as he fumbles around in the dark trying to look for an extra layer, blanket, anything.]

How do they expect anything to get done in this damned freezer?

Re: 8/5ish

[jedimindtrick]

[ The low light is easy enough to get used to, but the cold does bother Obi-Wan more than he tends to let on. Not because he has a particular aversion, but because he knows Anakin does.

For now, he's sitting at the desk, at a loss for what to do beyond tinkering with some piece of space junk under their one and only desk lamp. The kittens are about, skittering in the shadows, unaffected by the change in atmosphere, only interested in "helping" when it's the most inconvenient. ]

Perhaps they don't. It sounds as if they only wish us to be occupied.

[ He gestures toward his bed, still made up. ]

You're welcome to my blanket. And my robe, if that helps.

[ex_forcechoke292]

[Anakin pauses in the middle of trying to stumble over to the storage they've been allowed to keep in those invasive inspections (though he'd have fought harder over the kittens than just about anything suspect in the room), and glances over at Obi-Wan who looks to the world completely unperterbed by this low power situation.]

You can't tell me this doesn't bother you.

[He feels is way over to Obi-Wan's bed, rips the heavy blanket off, and only when that is wrapped around his shoulders does he move to do the same to his own. This is ridiculous. In his newly made blanket nest, he settles on the floor with the kittens, who seem very interested in this intruder into their open space. It doesn't do much to allieviate the cold that's seeped into the ends of his toes and fingers, the parts he's sure will never be warm again, but it's better in here than out in the rest of the ship.

You come from a warm planet, Ani. A little too warm for my tastes. Space is cold. Oh, that company would be an added bonus. Shared body heat and--that is not why he is here, and he has to shake off the image. Maybe Obi-Wan can't see or hear it as well as he might have once, but the habit is hard to rid himself of.]

Anyway, I need to-- [No, that's not right. How is it right to push when all he does in the same situation is push it away?]

We should talk.

[jedimindtrick]

Mm.

[ It's practically a non-committal noise, but he's trying hard to make it sound that way. Truthfully, any conversation that leads to this - a we should talk - is bound to be difficult. Experience has told him that. ]

If it's about not bothered I am, you can rest easy with the knowledge that it's gotten on my nerves on one or two occasions already.

[ It's so unlikely that's what Anakin's referring to here, but maybe he'll get points for trying. ]

[greyate]

[ Every day Jean goes back to the gardens to tend to the plants, to tend to the crops that have been started, she keeps applying everything she learned from Fatima. Every day, it gets a little easier.

Even when dealing with the Bonsai tree kittens that wander around the place. Of course she's grown fond of them. How could she not? Their mischievous ways could even be endearing on the right day. One of them was especially fond of grabbing up her tools and running away with it. She named that one "Scott" in her mind.

This day, it's no different. On her knees in one of the large plant beds and she spots the Kitten out of the corner of her eye. She calls out a "hey!", laughing. She gets up and throws a hand up. That stops the kitten and Jean gets it to float in the air as she walks over towards it. ]

Now, you know better than that.

[ It paws the air as it floats over to her. She turns it around to where it's facing her and tries to pull the little spade from it's mouth. The kitten bats at her hand as she does this. ]

No, you can't have it.

[jedimindtrick]

[ As he's been apt to do, particularly as of late, Obi-Wan visits the gardens. Regularly, the Jedi turns to the plants as a way of encouraging serenity within himself, but more often than not, he finds it much more pleasing to engage with the kittens instead. And, occasionally, other people as well. ]

They're wily, aren't they?

[ Approaching Jean, Kenobi remains subdued as he tucks a battered sketchbook into his arms before folding them loosely over his chest. His long robe shifts over some dry leaves, recently fallen, and he can't help but think about how the change in the ship's atmosphere hasn't exactly helped to promote growth. ]

Helpful at the most inopportune times, I feel. [ He smirks. ] On their terms.

[ But who could blame them for that? Certainly not those that fall for it every time. ]

8/15 - OTA

[jedimindtrick]

[ It's strange enough to be sleepless and still haunted by dreams, so much so that Obi-Wan doesn't think it's at all inappropriate to drink himself into some kind of negligible stupor. Over the last week or so, in the late wake of his interment at the outpost, time has taken on a rather separate meaning.

In the quiet moments between shifts, when he's alone with his thoughts, he finds that concentration eludes him — that every subject has become particularly difficult to grasp, save for the ones that stand between him and his former self. It's only now that he can acknowledge that something happened to him while he was held captive, but only because it's only now that he can't avoid acknowledging it.

And to further complicate things, Satine Kryze has gone. Because this is, legitimately, the first instance he's ever given in to the urge to date (being that it's wholly and completely forbidden by the Order he'd once held infallible before his eyes) it's also technically his first break up, even if it appears only to be by default. He's newly single for the first time in his life. That's right, the very first time. And now that he is, he doesn't intend to let that change ever again.

It doesn't quite feel real. Not any of it. Surreal, perhaps, but not real. Just how did this become his life?

He doesn't care to know, actually, which is why he finds himself drinking. Drinking not to think. And for the merriment of it. Drinking to make friends and to play any game offered. Drinking to forget in an all-too-human way.

Does anyone know how karaoke works? ]

[sardonical]

[ Stiles spends a lot of time just walking around the ship and trying to get his bearings. It's not just his sense of direction that throws him, but the way everything seems to operate and the way everyone is.

This isn't the first time his world's been turned on its head, but for some reason adding werewolves to his pre-existing life had been easier than being uprooted to space without a familiar face in sight. It kind of sucks. At least if Scott was here, they could figure this out together.

For a moment, he settles against a rail on the observation desk, taking in the only other person there at the moment. ]

Yup, just two guys... staring into the vastness of space.

[jedimindtrick]

[ Kenobi isn't exactly expecting company, but he knows better than to shut himself out of the possibility, especially when coming to a place like the observation deck. On the Moira, even the bedrooms are designed with little chance for alone time, so expecting to have this area to himself for any amount of time is like hoping to win the intergalactic lottery.

He eyes Stiles briefly, taking in the young man's demeanor. He seems to be joking. Perhaps. ]

That is... an adequate description of what's happening.

[ He'll admit that much, at least. Because he's a joke-killer. ]

Except you forgot to mention that one of us is drinking. [ Obi-Wan lifts his cup in salute. ] But otherwise, you're right.