milliways_bar | (no subject)

Val stares, the book falling into her lap forgotten. Her expression is one of careful shock, however, her eyes show something slightly different. Shock and fear are combined, with just a hint of self-frustration.

"I would really prefer you didn't, as I need him to be alive to bring me back from the Dark Side." A tight grin. "You've got no idea who you're talking to, do you?"

Eyes narrow for a moment. It clicks. There are only so many sons of men who serve the Dark Side that she's supposed to kill, after all. A cold smile. "I serve my master, Vader. Your preferences have never been my concern."

Val bites her lip, eyes narrowing as she grabs the book in her lap. She's still attempting to keep her temper, but it won't last for long. She remains quiet, watching acutely.

His eyes harden. "My name is Anakin, Mara. There is no Vader here."

He reins in his temper just a bit. "Besides, it doesn't matter. Luke can take care of himself. He is my son, after all."

A snort. "Please. Remember who you're talking to. I grew up in the palace. Call yourself whatever you like. You're the same man." Another smile. "And you managed so well. I'm sure he takes after you."

Val's face is dangerously blank, biting her lip. "Oh, he takes after Anakin alright, but certainly not in the way you are thinking." Her tone is cold, a bit biting.

Normally, Anakin would be losing his temper right about now. But he's slightly better about that than he was before, and besides, the tone of Val's voice snaps him back to reality.

"People change. I still remember our first meeting, Mara. You've changed a lot since then."

"Oh?" Idly, almost boredly. As far as she remembers, the first time they met was only a year ago, though she'd seen him before then.

"Yes. As far as I can recall, you were cute when we met. And brave. I can't imagine many children going up and embracing Darth Vader, much less a child under the age of five."

She stares at him for a moment. Memories that she's suppressed--or others have--filter through her brain. Slowly, "You were the one who took me to the Emperor."

"Yes." It should be clear to her now that he truly is Anakin; there is regret in his eyes. "I had two choices: take you to the Emperor or let you grow up and be killed as a Jedi later. And I never believed in killing children."

Cold smile as she thinks of a woman with long red hair. "You made my mother cry."

He doesn't even notice that he is slowly growing colder and possessing of less affect. "I killed one of my wife's best friends that day. Making your mother cry was the least of my worries."

Val looks up, startled. She knows Anakin well enough to know he's shutting down. Trying to keep herself cool, she smirks a bit. "Ok, so you both knew each other. Let's end the trip down memory lane now. Around here, that's never a good thing."

An almost bored glance at Val, before back to Anakin. Another tight smile. "I suppose I have changed. I know better now than to give strange men hugs. I thank you for letting me live. I make no apologies for what I am as a result."

If it weren't for that fact that he knows in at least one future Mara went on to become a good mother to his grandson, he might continue sinking into an emotional shutdown. But he knows, and that stops him. "You'll change more. I promise."

"No one can leave this bar without changing, at least somewhat. That's the way of things around here." Val's tone is dry, if a bit lazy.

"Oh, I've changed." Calmly studying her nails. "After all, I know now that Vader's at risk for turning."

See rage. See Anakin. See these things come close to meeting. It's a bad week for inanimate objects in Anakin's way.

Very, very coldly. "I think you've missed the point."

Val's eyes darken. She's close to losing her temper as well. "You have most definitely missed the point." She cuts herself off before her temper gets even more off its percarious position.

"Oh, be serious." The glance she sends Val is amused, now. "Or maybe you have. I have no desire to change."

Anakin snerks, just a little. "Be careful what you say. I happen to know Desire. Besides, who said you *wanted* to change? It might just happen."

Val snerks as well. "Most of the people who come here don't have change in mind, but it happens nonetheless, in spite of themselves." A pause and a snerk. "You might like Desire. He wears Jedi robes."

"Ah, and that's another change, isn't it? A bar where there are still Jedi...most interesting." Idle shrug, rising. "Perhaps I will. But for now, I have a job to do."

Anakin, who had been looking at Val oddly (and delibrately not thinking about some of the repercussions from Val's statement about Desire), moves out of the way. He can't resist a parting shot, though. "May your Binding be as long and interesting as mine."

Without looking back, "May you never forget that I am as much a product of you as the Emperor."

And Mara, with a smirk to Val, stroll out of the bar.

Val puts her feet back up on the table, pulling out her book, suddenly glad Luke's not in the bar on that particular night. She falls silent, just watching Mara intently over the top of the book.