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

[jedi_librettist]

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.

Comments

[jedi_librettist]

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

[girlandherstaff]

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

[jedi_librettist]

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."

[girlandherstaff]

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."

[jedi_librettist]

"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.

[girlandherstaff]

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

[jedi_librettist]

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.

[girlandherstaff]

Rey gave a nod of agreement.

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

[jedi_librettist]

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.

[girlandherstaff]

"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.

[jedi_librettist]

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

[girlandherstaff]

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

[jedi_librettist]

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."

[girlandherstaff]

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

[jedi_librettist]

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.

[girlandherstaff]

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.

[jedi_librettist]

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."

[girlandherstaff]

Rey frowned, looking at Ben. She considered what he said. "... Somehow, I'm not surprised."

[jedi_librettist]

"I think BX would have cried if he weren't a droid. We always found a way to get them whenever he was watching us."

His lips twitched slightly at the memory. Those had been good times, mostly.

[girlandherstaff]

"I mean, the question of how or why doesn't even seem to apply. My mind automatically answers with: they're Solos." Rey waved her hand as if to articulate the sentence.

[jedi_librettist]

He laughed. "That's part of it. We're also Skywalkers. That might be more relevant to how we did it."

He bit his lip, trying not laugh. "Did Bail tell you about Ani and Mom's porcelain thranta?"

[girlandherstaff]

Porcelain Thranta? Rey's face showed one of awareness and she began moving things in the bag. After a minute or two she pulled up a - slightly mucky now - plush Thranta.

"...I'll give it a wash."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben's face lit up at the sight of the toy. "You got him one! Thank you."

He sighed with relief. "Maybe now he'll leave Mom's antique alone. It's from Alderaan."

[girlandherstaff]

Rey absently pet the head of the plush item, smiling at it a little. She'd never had anything like this growing up. Well, she'd thrown together a doll out of scraps but ... this was something very different.

"Bail said," she replied. "He's going to look on some of the black markets, just in case."

[jedi_librettist]

"He's insisted on playing with it since we got here. Even if I take it away, he uses the Force to get it back. I don't know how to make him understand how easily it can break."

He really didn't feel anywhere close to ready to be a father.