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 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.

[girlandherstaff]

"Kids don't realise until it happens." Or at least, that's what she'd been told.

[jedi_librettist]

"He'll be upset if it happens. I think he named it."

[girlandherstaff]

"Well," Rey waved the little plush around. "With any luck, he'll become just as attached."

[jedi_librettist]

"I think he will.". He chuckled quietly at Rey's antics with the stuffed critter. "It's a perfect size for him and he can take it to bed with him."

[girlandherstaff]

Rey was having a bit too much fun with the plush toy, and would be quite sad when Ani got hold of it. But she wouldn't let on, she didn't need anything like this.

"I think he'll like that."

[jedi_librettist]

Watching her with the toy told him he needed to bring this up with his brother. He didn't understand it. He only knew she was from Jakku and had survived Plutt. Bail would probably know more.

"I think they used to make some that flew when we were young."

[girlandherstaff]

Rey looked down at the toy in her hands, frowning, and then up to Ben. "This was the only one I could find, do you think he'd prefer one that could fly?"

[jedi_librettist]

Ben shook his head firmly. He hadn't had Ani in mind when he said that. "This is perfect for him. He's way too young for the flying version."

[girlandherstaff]

Rey nodded, still clutching the little plush toy. "I guess he can make this fly on it's own, anyway."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben smiled. “He definitely is capable of it. He’s done it with Mom’s thranta when no one was looking.”

[girlandherstaff]

The laugh that comes probably isn't all that helpful to a parent, but it's oddly delighted.

"At least he knows what he likes."