open post.

[imahologram]

for whatever miscellaneous bullshit your little heart can come up with.

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[t65]

[Luke has never hired a prostitute before.]

[He's never expected to hire one, either. He doesn't, actually, want to. But the remnants of the Empire are creeping in close, hunting people down, and it's the only way Luke can think of to talk to the woman he wants to speak with. So Luke endures the madame, asking for the woman he needs to be see, paying for a room, being checked for bugs (the Empire is everywhere on this planet), and meeting this Methony.]

[He holds his hand out for a shake, and he thinks it's a miracle he's only blushing faintly.] Hello. I'm Owen Whitesun.

[methony]

[Methony can always tell new ones--but this one's more obvious than most. With those wide blue eyes, he'd look utterly virginal anyway, but the blush creeping over his cheeks isn't doing him any favours. The only thing left to figure out is whether friends put him up to this or he's here of his own volition.

Pulling her silk robe up her shoulders a little, she rises from the mess of pillows and sheets that serves as her bed. She's in her usual state of dishabille, hair tumbling down around a negligee that doesn't show stains, but there's no reason to rub it in his face.]

Methony Feucoronne. [She takes his hand in hers, squeezes it lightly rather than shaking it, and gives him a knowing little smile.] I haven't seen you around here before, have I, darling?

[t65]

[Luke wonders if 'Methony Feucoronne' is her real name. It's certainly the name she's known by, when he asked around, trying to find the red-headed woman he'd seen in his vision. But he wonders if she's like the slaves Beru had once told him used to live in Mos Espa, whose names changed with their owners, being herded from place to place.]

[He feels a pang of pity at the thought.]

No, you haven't. I'm on Meduse for... business. [He tilts his head, wondering if that's a lie. It doesn't feel like one, but it doesn't feel like the truth, either. He wonders if she can sense that, what she's already picked up from him, probably subconsciously.] Methony, have you noticed anything strange in town lately?

[She must have noticed the higher amount of Troopers searching the area, but then, he doesn't know how tight a leash the madame keeps them on. He'd never really thought about it at all, until he began searching for a woman who lived in a brothel.]

[Luke wonders if he can free them all, before this is over.]

[solochild]

01 02 03

[imahologram]

[This is among the worst-planned holidays the Solo family has ever managed to have. What was supposed to be two weeks together on the Gold Beaches of Corellia has turned into two weeks for Ben on the Gold Beaches: one week with Han, and one with Leia. (There was an in-between time when it looked like it would be one week with Han and one week of all of them, but Chewie needs Han on a trip to Kashyyyk that even Leia can't argue with. Helping Chewie's family is a noble enough cause, and it sounds like they're in some genuine danger.)

She's dead on her feet by the time she falls into bed in their rented house, so much so that she doesn't wake until mid-morning the next day. When she does, she's groggily aware of the fact that she never bothered to unpin her hair or undress the night before, and there's a mop of messy dark hair tucked beneath her chin.

Poor Ben, she thinks. He's not going to be happy to hear his father had to leave without saying a proper goodbye, even for Chewbacca's sake. She shifts a little, gently shaking his shoulder.]

Awake in there, Ben?

[methony]

[Well, part of "Methony Feucoronne" is real. It's a pity he can't translate Marathine to Basic; he might appreciate the homelike sound of Methony Firecrown.]

Strange?

[Inwardly, she's on her guard. Any halfwit who looks out a window can see the Stormtroopers gathering in the streets. It's something easily ignored and never talked about, and Methony prefers to keep it that way. Until they're kicking her door in, they're no concern of hers.

Outwardly, she plays innocent, reaching out to drag a fingertip down the dark fabric covering his shoulder as she smiles at him.]

We serve people of all proclivities here, Owen. I'm not here to decide what's strange. [Just to get paid for it.]

bullshit au where everything isn't awful

[forcesaken]

[ they've lived in space for-- it must be three months now. hiding from the empire isn't easy but they manage with his and padme's networks. it's time to refuel and restock, and this happened to be the closest planet.

anakin's in his thirties now, but this place -- tatooine has never been a good place for him. he's been back a few times since his mother; none of those visits are voluntary. he's argued and sulked in their ship. he's sure the twins have heard their heated arguments, knows the explanation that padme gives them.

daddy's just not feeling well.

it's same excuse he uses when he sulks back to the living area and has to answer matching "are you mad at us?" looks from his children.

he has recognized that constant worry, anxiety that comes with being a parent; what if he says the wrong thing, leaves the worst impression on their little lives, what if he dies and leaves them stranded. but being here with his daughter is another matter.

leia's gotten so big, so independent. it still hurts him a little when she doesn't want to keep holding his hand, but that is easy to let go. they are inevitably tied in the force that he can always feel where she is, even if that physical comfort isn't there. he can sense her in his peripheral now, looking at one thing or another. ]

Leia. Come along. We need to get the supplies before your brother starts complaining about how it's not fair you got to go.

so excited lmk if you need anything adjusted

[notsoproperprincess]

[Leia just about skips at her father's side. Being out-of-doors is a joyous thing, enough so that she wouldn't mind it if they changed their minds and decided to stake down tents and live here from now on. More than that, though, her legs are nowhere near as long as her father's, and she has to keep her pace up to keep up with him.]

He got to go last time.

[She's still a little sulky about that. Leia likes it best when they can all go outside together, ideally to play games or sight-see, but with the Empire looking for them, two twins is one too many walking around just about anywhere in the galaxy. (Sometimes even one twin is--there have been times when they've both had to stay inside while one or the other of their parents has gone for food and fuel.) On the Rim, there aren't always as many Imperials, or so she's overheard, but Mother says Tatooine is a dangerous place--it would be even if the Empire wasn't interested in them at all.

Truth be told, she feels sorry for Luke, still holed up in the ship. Tatooine isn't the prettiest planet they've visited, but it's fascinating in its emptiness, and after so long in space, she doesn't even mind how hot it is. The sunshine on her head has all the warmth of her father's hand when he smooths back her hair.

She's quiet for a few moments as they begin to walk, uncharacteristically so. Usually, when they visit somewhere new, she's full of questions about everything, but it doesn't take Force ability to know how unhappy Daddy is about being here. He and Mother were just discussing it--if discussing means snapping about it in their room, which it sometimes does--yesterday. Even if she hadn't been eavesdropping, she thinks she would have heard.]

Why don't you like Tatooine? [It's a tentative question, one she half-hopes he won't hear.]

[t65]

[Luke's blush just gets worse at the word 'proclivities', and he feels his face heat further from there. He does his best to ignore it, talking through it and keeping his expression kind, but neutral.]

Haven't you wondered what all those Stormtroopers are here for? They're looking for you, Methony.

[He realizes belatedly how that could sound menacing.] Don't worry. I'm here to protect you.

[methony]

[Well, it's a weird game, but she's played weirder. One of Methony's brows quirks up, but she keeps that coy, coquettish smile.]

You're a brave man to risk your life for the sake of a whore. [A step closer, her breasts pressing up against Luke's chest as she reaches for his collar. (There has to be a clasp in there somewhere.) She dips her head enough that her cheek brushes his jaw as she murmurs into his ear.] I must find a way to thank you.

[t65]

[Luke goes still, attempting to back away before he realizes he's already against the wall. He holds his hands up at an awkward angle, trying not to touch her, but to still maintain some barrier between them.] No, no. Methony, I'm serious. The Force is alive within you; haven't you felt it?

[methony]

[Ice spreads through her. There are silly premises for heart-pounding sex, and then there's the Force. No one speaks of it; no one has since they took her son from her and left her life as payment.

Her first thought is My blaster is on the other side of the room. Her next is Felix.]

What's going on?

[She takes a step back, no longer Methony the coy, coquettish flirt. This is the woman who falls asleep alone in the small hours of the morning and applies makeup against the faint lines beginning to dig into her skin when she wakes.

Her eyes are hard.]

Who are you really?

[t65]

[Luke lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He rubs at his eyes and says, with a lack of bravado that may undercut his argument:] Luke Skywalker.

[He looks at her now, and his gaze is level.] I'm sorry for the deception, but it was necessary for your safety. Madame Poluphemie keeps the rooms unbugged, but not the lobby.

[It occurs to him a moment later that she probably knows that.]

[methony]

[She laughs without bothering to make it sound pretty as she sits back down on her bed. The blaster is between the mattress and the wall, if she can just stretch out naturally enough towards it...]

Of course. [Her eyes roll.] Luke Skywalker has come to the far end of the galaxy to talk to a whore in the Lower City.

[He's right, of course, that only an idiot would try to talk about something downstairs, but it's not hard to guess that.]

You can't think I was born yesterday. I'm older than you.

[t65]

[Luke sighs.] I guess they don't have those 'Wanted' holos out here... [He sighs and closes his eyes. There's been a niggling feeling at the back of his mind all night, but he hasn't been able to concentrate on it due to his nerves. With Methony no longer pressed against him, he catches it-]

What's behind the bed? [He sounds more curious than worried.] Something's... hidden there? Did you hide it?

[And then there's the worry-- this room might be bugged after all.]

[methony]

[Her heart stops. Did he realize the direction she was lounging toward--but no, he mentioned the Force, he--

There's no reason to bother being subtle now that he knows what she's doing. Methony scrambles for the blaster and aims it with both hands.]

Why are you really here? Is this--

[She shuts her mouth. Bringing up Felix will only put him in trouble. He's only ten, he can't be involved in whatever the Empire wants her for.]

[t65]

[On instinct, Luke reaches out with the Force to pull the blaster out of Methony's hands. It sails through the air, turning in motion to fall into his grip. He puts it aside gently, not wanting it to go off by accident.]

I told you why I'm here. Don't you want to learn to use your gift?

[methony]

[Methony's knuckles are white, but the blaster slips from it anyway. Without it, her hands just look clawed and ugly. All she can do is ball them into fists as they drop to her sides.

She's crouched on the bed at this point, hair hanging around a scowl. If he tries anything, she can spring forward and try to scratch his eyes out--not that it'll matter, if he has the Force, but she's not giving in without a fight.]

I don't have a gift. [The words hiss out of her.] We both know you're from the Inquisitors. What is it you really want?

[t65]

You do. I've seen it. [But he's clearly not going to convince her with words. Luke picks up the blaster, and hands it back to her, the handle toward her. If they're to trust each other, he has to trust her.]

What do I need to do to convince you I'm Luke Skywalker?

[methony]

[She reaches for it in a quickly, fluid motion, and her one bit of deference to him is the fact that she doesn't point it at his heart. It's still dangerous when it's pointed at her mattress, considering how quickly she can move when she needs to, but he's not staring down the barrel any longer.]

What makes you think anything would work? Luke Skywalker has no reason to come here.

[t65]

Because it's the truth. I am here, Methony. I need students.

[Maybe if he speaks gently, makes it a need and not a want, she'll be more at ease?]

[methony]

[Uh-huh. Pull the other one, Whitesun.]

People with gifts become Inquisitors. You think I'd be here if I had the Force?

[t65]

Why do you trust the Inquisitors, but not me? [It comes out in a bit of a whine.] Despite what you've heard, it's very hard to tell when someone has the Force. And the Inquisitors are lazy; they don't like training people past the age of three, as far as I can tell.

[methony]

Trust?

[Another harsh laugh.]

Who said anything about trusting them?

[t65]

[He rolls his eyes a little. Luke is a hero, but he's not that kind, the one without moments of petulance or human emotion beyond stalwart conviction.]

Fine, believe. The Inquisitors are powerful, but they're poorly trained. People with the Dark Side of the Force, they can't sense things very well. The Inquisitors only train for power, not knowledge.