( video - un: blacksquadron ) all the stars are laying at our feet

[xwings]

[ the video clicks on to a soft beep that ends in a worried trill, the sound mechanical and still managing to seem hushed. for a moment, the camera swings around, then it steadies, showing poe dameron in workout gear, hands and ankles taped, pummeling a punching bag. it's clear he knows what he's doing. it's equally clear that he's unhappy about something.

poe is clearly unaware of the video; this is bb-8's way of trying to get poe some company and comfort. there's a series of beeps that indicates as much, to anyone who understands binary.

eventually, poe stops, steadying the bag (and himself) and then glances at bb-8 -- and the comms device bb-8 is still pointing at him. poe runs a hand through his hair. ]

What're you doing that for, BB?

[ another series of noises from bb, i'm worried and maybe you shouldn't be alone right now. poe shakes his head, crossing the distance to bb-8 and holds out a hand. ] I'm all right, buddy. Give that here.

[ when bb-8 does, the video cuts off. ]

Comments

[xwings]

[ that's the thing; it doesn't. poe doesn't struggle with the technology or the alienness, but he does struggle with everything else he assumes they all struggle with: the storm and all its implications, the loss of everything he used to fight and stand for, how many of his friends are in stasis -- still or again. ]

No. No, it doesn't.

[revlon]

Circumstances can change everything. What was it like, before? Did you enjoy it?

[xwings]

I loved it. Not all of it, of course, but the flying, getting to know different people --

Not so much the fact that the First Order was trying to take everyone's freedom away. [ again. ]

[revlon]

Some things never change, no matter where we're from. I'm sorry to hear that.

[xwings]

Yeah.

[ he won't say it's all right, because it isn't. that kind of thing is never all right. the reminder is, though. ] What was it in your world?

[revlon]

The Third Reich.

We won, but at a cost. And you learn to live with it.

[xwings]

[ doesn't that sound familiar. ]

My parents fought and won. And then the First Order rose from the ashes of the Empire.

[revlon]

For better or for worse, there will always be people willing to fight for the freedom of others. Maybe that's one of the many reasons why the Orbiters saved us.

[xwings]

That would be a good one.

[revlon]

Hard day?

[xwings]

[ a beat, and then he sighs. ]

Yeah.

[revlon]

I'm certain you've had friends ask after that. I doubt you'd want to confide in a perfect stranger; but for what it's worth, I'm sorry to hear it.

[xwings]

[ a beat. for a moment, he considers it -- but no, he doesn't actually want to blurt out the whole thing to a perfect stranger. ]

Thank you.

[revlon]

Perhaps some introductions are in order, so we're a little less unacquainted. I'm Peggy.

[xwings]

Poe Dameron.

[ and even with everything -- ] It's nice to meet you.

[revlon]

And you, Mr Dameron. If only it were under better circumstances, I assume.

[xwings]

[ he sighs. ]

They could be worse.

[revlon]

Things could always be worse, but that doesn't offer much reassurance, does it?

[xwings]

Well.

[ no. but at the same time: ] It's something.

[revlon]

[ She hums, thoughtful and soft. ]

I'm the same, you know. Taking out the frustrations of the day on a punching bag. Has it helped?

[xwings]

[ poe lets out a huffed laugh. he's not sure what's helped more, the punching bag or the distraction of talking to people. bb-8 has always known him far too well. ]

A little.

[revlon]

[ How about both? ]

Would you care for a sparring partner?

[xwings]

I would.

[ a beat. ] But not right now. I think I'm done for the day.

[revlon]

Perhaps just as well. But the offer stands.

[xwings]

Thank you. I'll take you up on it as soon as I can move my arms again.

[ a joke, mostly, though he knows he'll be sore tomorrow. ]