jedi_librettist | This cat of the slum had a mind, wasn't dumb...

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This cat of the slum had a mind, wasn't dumb...

Ben kept to the least reputable areas of Republic City. It was easier to find the parts he needed there and, more importantly, to avoid notice. It wasn't just that he didn't want to be recognized as Prince Ben Organa-Solo. He needed to avoid notice since he had no money of his own.

He smiled slightly when he saw the power core. It was exactly the kind he needed. It was far too small for a ship but clearly more powerful than any speeder had a right to be. He walked casually over to the shop. "Which model is that?" he asked, easily drawing the dealer into a conversation.

Several minutes later, he picked up the part. "You were already paid for this," he murmured. He waited just long enough for the togruta to repeat the phrase back before he left, prize in hand.

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Her memory of Plutt actually did bring a mob of his own memories this time. He almost dropped the power core as he tried to push them back. It didn't help. They just kept coming. His breath came in short, shuddering gasps. He reached his hand out for something to ground him.

"It wasn't my face he liked looking at."

Rey grabbed his hand.

"Not the only one that happened to."

He really, really wasn't.

Ben held her hand like it was the only thing keeping him from falling off a cliff. Her words didn't really help. He could tell she meant well but it didn't put the memories back where they belonged. It felt like he was trapped in a nightmare despite being awake.

"Maybe but... he didn't own me."

Ben had never been a scavenger. He'd often wished he could be one but, even after he started racing, he hadn't been able to get out of his primary job description.

"Be grateful."

She knew Ben had had it bad. But being owned by Plutt would have made it worse.

"There are worse people to be owned by," he said with an overly casual shrug. "And worse jobs than scavenging."

"I know," Rey said, fingers digging into the strap again. No, she wasn't going to explain how she knew. Not here.

He swallowed, not answering. She knew. Not about him or where he'd been. She had no way of knowing that unless she'd seen some of those memories. He didn't think he'd been projecting but it was hard to be sure.

"Let's... You said you know somewhere we can find a good oil tank?"

Rey knew nothing about Ben. What she knew was her own life. She was a scavenger, it was the only thing she'd be willing to admit to.

"Uh, yeah, down here."

He nodded and turned where she pointed. "Do you... What are you going to tell my brother about this?"

"...That we're building a pod." That's all that needed to be said.

He let out a sigh of relief. He really didn't want to have to deal with Bail's reaction if Rey told him he'd been stealing parts.

"I guess we should work on the plans after this."

There's a slow nod, her arms wrapping round herself as uncomfortable memories kept forcing themselves forward.

"Yeah. That... that would be a good idea."

"Do you... I should get back before Ani wakes up. Did you want to come back to Mom's?"

He wondered if being around the toddler would make the memories easier for either of them. Ani could definitely be a distraction some days.

"I've gotten everything I needed," Rey said. "I'll... just follow you."

Ben bit his lip. "Maybe we should just go back now? I... didn't bring much money with me."

Actually, he hadn't brought any money with him. It wasn't like he had any of his own and he was trying to avoid asking for anything more.

Rey gave a nod of agreement.

"The bag is pretty full, I wouldn't be able to get much else into it."

He nodded. "Do you mind if we use paper?"

Most of the time, he hadn't even drawn up any plans. He'd had nowhere to record them. Even now, he felt much more confident with the idea of actually drawing them than with trying to program them as a holiday.

"I'd prefer it," she said. "I ... don't actually know how to use the programs to design." She could read the designs off them easily enough, but she didn't know how to use them to make a design of her own.

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I don't either. I never had them available."

"The base has paper, we can use that," she nodded, trying to make some sort of plan in her own head.

He nodded. That would work. He wondered what his handwriting would look like after this long with no practice.

"We can work at my mom's apartment. Then Ani won't be afraid I left."

Rey nodded in agreement. "Yeah, probably best to make sure he doesn't worry too much."

Ben looked away. He knew exactly why his son was so afraid he'd leave. Part of him wished he'd succeeded. Surely the kid would have bonded with Bail and Rey without him to interfere. But he also had to admit the toddler made his life feel worth something.

Rey had not actually spent a lot of time around Ani, since the majority of her time was taken up with working on whatever ship arrived. She needed to find a way to pay for her being there, after all, and fixing Bail's junker was repayment for him giving her the ride her. She just hadn't had a lot of time for interacting with the young boy.

She had seen him with Ben, though, and it seemed like they were good for each other.

A thought flashed through his mind. "You probably should keep any power drills in your hand. Bail and I loved them when we were his age."

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