Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father...

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Who: Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader (oh shit son)
What: Luke comes to vent to daddy about mean old Ben and gets a big surprise instead. No, not that kind of surprise you sickos. The other big surprise.
Where: 3474 Erwin Road
When: Backdated to the day after prom.
Warnings: EVERY WARNING EVER. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, LOCK YOUR DOORS. (Really it'll just be lots of angst, emotions, whining, and the infamous "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSDKFJSDHFKDJSHF")

[Luke gives himself the night to think things over and cool down. By morning, however, he's still bothered by the conversation he had with Obi-Wan. He knows there have to be differing opinions considering the various relationship statuses of every other Jedi in town so he decides to vent to seek advice from his father... probably the worst person to go to but he doesn't know that. Yet.

Their interactions thus far have been minimal but Luke figures this will also be an opportunity to bond and get to know each other. He thinks it'll be a good thing. Bless his poor, little idealistic heart.

He rings the doorbell, rehearsing his rants questions in his head.]

Comments

[chosen_to_fall]

[ The door opens with a sharp motion and one mildly disheveled Darth Vader levers his way out with an expression that could melt durasteel. To say that he's in a sour mood would be an understatement. ]

We don't need any-

[ Wait. He draws up short at his son, as if not recognizing him. But then- ]

Luke.

[ Solo's accusation immediately floats to the fore, and he has to bat it down, along with the accompanying wave of guilt. Vader scrubs his eyes with his knuckles, clearing his throat so he might keep his voice level. ]

What- uh, what are you doing here?

Matching icons. How sweet.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[The initial reaction amuses Luke somewhat. Apparently some annoyance has been to visit. He tries to keep his manner pleasant but not over-bearing.]

I'm sorry, I should have called ahead. I needed someone to talk to and thought you might understand better than anybody else.

[He's suddenly aware of a strange tenseness about his father and he decides to offer an out, just in case.]

I can come back later, though, if you're busy.

It's how I like to roll.

[chosen_to_fall]

[ Talk? Ah yes, right. You'll have to excuse him, he's had a bad day. Er, week... month(s).

At any rate the point is that his son actually wants to talk to him, and for the first time in quite a while he has the sense of something clutching tight in his chest. Love is a double-edged sword for him- it palliates his anger to a degree, and sends an iron spike of regret right into his heart. ]

I was just practicing my lightsaber kata. Come in.

[ His hair is starting to reach a length that borders on obnoxious- he pushes it back with the sweep of his hand and takes a step aside for Luke to come in. The drones are mercifully out, as is his strange, prickly flatmate. Probably out wooing a pony. ]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Just the idea of his father practicing with a lightsaber makes Luke smile. It cements something in his mind and the very thought overjoys him. His father, the Jedi.]

Thanks.

[He walks inside almost with a bounce in his step, though he's remaining mindful of the strange tension he senses. Maybe it's not tension. He can't quite put his finger on it.

Either way, he's with his father now and there's a sense of security and satisfaction there that just can't be quashed.]

How are you, father?

[There's all the genuine care and concern in those words that Luke could muster.]

[chosen_to_fall]

[ The last person to ask him that had been Padmé. His answer is more or less a variation of the same, ] Fine. I'm fine. Keeping busy.

[ At least he isn't sporting black eyes anymore. Solo could throw quite a punch. Some of his busy work is taking up space in the living room, where a collection of electronics, the parts off a model train set and vacuum tubes seem to be taking the form of a MSE droid. Or something closely related- it's difficult for even Vader to tell at this rate, most of Earth's technology is utterly useless. Building a processer from scratch with what's on hand is tedious work. ]

What about you?

[ He surprises himself when the question comes out sounding honestly thoughtful. Most everything threw him right on into combative lately. Vader gestures for Luke to take a seat and follows suit. ]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke's been here long enough to know that when someone says they're "fine", what they really mean is "as well as anyone can be doing in a place like this". He supposes that's as good as it's going to get and suffices to be satisfied with that for now. At his father's question Luke has to pause. The reflexive response is "fine" but, of course, Luke came here to talk about something that was bothering him. "Fine" isn't exactly how he's feeling right now. Better start there. He follows suit and sits in the chair nearby.]

Oh, I don't know. I mean, I'm alright. Just... I had an argument with Obi-Wan. A pretty big one.

[Luke of course has no idea that the subject of Obi-Wan will be any sort of problem. Ben and his father are buddies, right?]

[chosen_to_fall]

[ Even without the Force, he can read Luke's discomfort in his admittance. There's so much of Padmé in him, Vader finds it startling.

No, Luke. They aren't buddies, not anymore. There's nothing he would prefer to talk about less than the topic of Obi-Wan, but Luke has piqued his curiosity. ]

You wouldn't be the first.

[ The mild tone is a veneer over his bitterness, his expression carefully schooled. Jedi aren't immune to disagreements, of course. Of course. ]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[That statement brings Luke's head up and he gives his father a somewhat surprised look.]

I'm a bit relieved to hear you say that, actually.

Why Ben would bring up such a-... [It's clear whatever's bothering him is causing a lot of turmoil. He catches himself as his voice starts to rise in volume and decides to take a more controlled approach.]

I assume you're familiar with the Jedi Code?

[chosen_to_fall]

It's safe to say I know something about it, yes. [ ...all right, his curiosity is absolutely burning. He recites it with practiced ease: ]

There is no emotion, there is only peace. [ Peace is a lie, there is only passion. ]

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. [ Through passion, I gain strength. ]

There is no passion, there is serenity. [ Through strength, I gain power. ]

There is no chaos, there is harmony. [ Through power, I gain victory. ]

There is no death, there is the Force. [ Through victory, my chains are broken. ]

[ The Force shall free me. And how hollow the Code of the Sith sounds now, when he can only ever recall the armored, claustrophobic prison he wore back home. Vader's next comment is meant to sound breezy, but it's a little stiff, ]

Did you have questions about it?

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke finds it almost eerie that his father can recite the code on cue. Why was something so important to the Jedi of old never even mentioned to him?

He shakes his head slowly, then shrugs.]

Possibly. I'd never even heard of it before Ben mentioned it last night.

[Quickly, he catches himself.] Uh, Obi-Wan, I mean. In the time I knew him he went as 'Ben'.

[chosen_to_fall]

Is that so? [ That is certainly a surprise. Obi-Wan and Vader haven't exactly had a heart to heart in Mayfield- he knows only that his children were hidden away from him. He had assumed his old mentor would make the effort to train them from the start, what with Kenobi's regard for the Order. Preservation of the traditions and teachings would surely be a priority.

He thinks abruptly of Murkhana, of the Jedi that escaped. What future lies ahead for all of them?

Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on his knees. ]

How long have you known him? I'm afraid I haven't quite got the whole story...

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Getting to tell his father about his life and the people he's known is something Luke had always dreamed about, but for obvious reasons he assumed he'd never get the chance. Amazing how things turn out. He appears very eager to tell his father everything he can.]

For as far back as I can remember. Ben lived not too far from our moisture farm. Occasionally he came to visit but Uncle Owen never liked him much. Said he was crazy and up to no good.

[He smiles wistfully.] Makes me wonder if it was Ben or me becoming a Jedi and running off on some wild adventure that Uncle Owen was more afraid of.