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[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He enters from the House of Arch, having accepted Tom's offer to stay and been keyed to the charm. He looks haunted, if well rested. He has spent most of the past two days sleeping, trying not to remember.

He takes a seat at the bar and pulls a small device out of his pocket. He toys with it, looking down at the bar.

Comments

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

*Valentine walks over, a gentle smile on her face*

Can I get you something, sir?

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He looks up sharply.

"Do you have any brandy?" Tom had started him on it, and it seemed the thing he needed right now.

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to startle you. Bar, could you give this nice gentleman a brandy?

*The brandy appears on the bar in front of him, and Val's eyes are drawn to the device in his hands*

Sir, if you don'tmind me being nosy, what is that little device you have?

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He picks up the brandy and takes a swallow.

"It's a recorder. I made it out of spare parts."

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Ooooh. That's awesome. I've always wished I could do things like that with parts. The closest thing I've ever done was I made a rocket with some extra wood we had lying around once. I thought that I could go visit my brother in space if I could only get that little bottlerocket to go high enough.

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He looks at his drink, not because he is avoiding her, but more because he does not feel like looking at people.

"It's a gift. Why was your brother in space?" He is praying the answer is not "Because he was a Stormtrooper."

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Well, my brother went to a special school in space, to learn military matters. He, because he's awesome, was the top of his class, and he commanded a battle that saved my world from an alien race, which everyone thought had come to destroy my planet.

[desert-worm.livejournal.com]

Luke wanders over at about this point. "Hello, Father. Hello, Val." He takes a seat, grinning. "Bar, just a glass of water, please."

The bar produces a jalapeno on a plate along with it. Luke winces. "Ha. Ha."

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

Anakin sees Luke and has to take a deep, calming breath. He thought he could handle this, but his calm is fraying.

"Hello, Son."

[desert-worm.livejournal.com]

Luke frowns. His father's good at shielding his feelings, but that was definitely a twinge. "Is something wrong?"

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He wordlessly hands Luke the little device. He should tell him, he really should, Luke is the only one here who can absolve him, but he's afraid. He hasn't been this afraid in a long time.

[desert-worm.livejournal.com]

He looks at the recorder, then back up at his father. "What is it?"

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He gropes for words. He doesn't know what to tell Luke. Finally, he takes another deep breath.

"I talked to Tom. You should listen to it."

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

*Val smiles as Luke comes over, and immidiately laughs at the jalapeno.*

Wow, Luke. The bar seems to like to tease you tonight. Perhaps you should try the pepper again.

[desert-worm.livejournal.com]

"Oh, not going to happen." He grins. "How've you been, Val?"

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

*Val's eyes sparkle*

You'd better watch out for the bar, Luke. It might slip a pepper or five in your food next time. As to me, I'm not too bad. Unfortunately had a rather embarrassing and emotional conversation with my brother in the bar last night, which led to quite a few people staring at me as I collapsed on the floor crying...

*She blushes, looking quite sheepish*

We worked out our issues, and we're entirely better now.

[desert-worm.livejournal.com]

He raises his eyebrows, looking concerned. "Are you sure you're all right?"

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

*Val smiles at him kindly*

I really am, Luke. Peter and I had a talk that was about ten years overdue, and we're a lot better now. It was one of thos nights where we just had to get all of the emotion out.

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He winces through the first part of her recitation, fearing that her brother had been taken into the hands of the Empire, but stops when she nears the end.

"...What planet are you from?"

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Earth, actually, but my brother and I have been jumping form planet to planet for a few years, talking to people, and helping out.

*Val notices his wincing*

Did I say something wrong, sir?

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He lets out an unconscious sigh of relief. "No, no, I was just unsure if you were from my galaxy. I'm better now." He smiles at her. It is a weak and fake smile.

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

*She raises her eyebrows at the weak smile, but says nothing*

Well, that's good you're better. We can't have grumpy people in the bar tonight. Heck, I don't like grumpy people any night.

*Her eyes twinkle*

[redeemed-one.livejournal.com]

He takes another large swallow of brandy. "You needn't worry about me being grumpy," he says, truthfully.

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

*Val's expression is kind as she smiles at him*

Well, you do seem to be grumpy, and you -are- in the bar, and I care about the people here, so I do worry.

*So her logic's a bit spurious. She knows what she's talking about, really.*

You're sure there's nothing I can get you or help you with?

[md_donighal]

Somewhere in there (thanks to the miracle of Milliways time), the red-haired man in the severe gray suit finally nerves himself up and approaches Anakin. "Excuse me. I'm a friend of Tom Riddle's. And I have some things in common with him, and with you. I think I'd like to talk about them, with someone else who'd understand." He holds out a hand for shaking. "Michael Daemon Donighal, at your service."