( 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]

yeah, you're probably right
though i'd look good with gray hair, don't you think?
distinguished

[ let's turn this ship around back to lighter things ]

[obstinance]

"distinguished", huh?
i think you're the last person that needs to fish for compliments
but sure, very distinguished

[xwings]

maybe you hurt my ego with that comment about drinks and now i need something to bolster up my confidence

[obstinance]

i doubt your ego can be hurt, dameron
don't lie

[xwings]

i'll have you know it's very fragile

[obstinance]

i hear that's pretty typical for men
but don't worry i'll write you a very heartfelt apology
since you're so delicate and all

[xwings]

that's very sweet and kind of you

[obstinance]

thanks i try
my written apology is actually just paying for your drink later so don't praise me too much just yet

[xwings]

that's actually my favourite kind of apology

[obstinance]

well in that case i guess you're free to praise me
you might want to pick your poison now, though
so i can come prepared

[ with a full bottle of whatever, most likely. it looks like that's what he needs, after all. ]

[xwings]

you're great and very sweet

[ joke's on her, he actually means that ]

i've grown pretty fond of rum

[obstinance]

[ the joke's absolutely on her now that she's exceptionally embarrassed. thanks, poe. ]

oh my god
i was only kidding
you don't have to butter me up

rum, high? very pirate-like
i'll keep it in mind

[xwings]

i know i don't have to
but maybe i want to

pirate-like?
i'll take that

[obstinance]

in that case i might have to start calling you delusional
a delusional flatterer

well you had a ship
the analogy half fits
anyway it shouldn't be so hard to find here thanks to any actual pirates

[xwings]

nothing delusional about it

i'm hoping one day i'll get a ship again
but until then, i'll take rum

[obstinance]

okay, maybe not delusional
just too nice

[ compliments, how does anyone accept them. ]

something tells me a ship isn't something we can put in a request for
maybe keep your expectations at rum for now, yeah
that's the least i can give you

[xwings]

no such thing

[ well, unless "too nice" means letting people step all over you, then yes, there is such a thing. but poe feels no need to elaborate. ]

yeah, i know
when i woke up, they said something like maybe i'd get my x-wing back
but so far nothing

which is all the more reason to have some rum

[obstinance]

if you say so
but i'm too stubborn for you to win this argument

[ debate, argument, whatever it is. 'clary struggling to accept any kind of flattery' is a more apt description. ]

we'll see
be on your best behavior and maybe they'll reward you

i'm guessing your friend can't technically share a bottle of rum with us

[ it's a joke, mostly. she absolutely does not expect a droid to be able to have a drink. ]

[xwings]

yeah, i'm getting that impression

[ but he's grinning at the other end of the line, so whatever else, this conversation has already helped. ]

i'm thinking that's how it's meant to go
an incentive for us to do what they want us to do
i'm just not sure what that is, exactly

he can't. and he's too round to double as a table, too [ sorry, bb-8. but no, he would never. ]

[obstinance]

you learn fast

[ not that knowing she's a stubborn force to be reckoned with has stopped anyone from opposing her, but. ]

for now? i think all they want is our cooperation
who knows what else they have up their sleeve

[ distrust is an understatement for what she feels toward their gracious hosts, regardless of any gratefulness she has for keeping those she loves safe, with how little the refugees know of their intentions. she's been adamantly keeping her thoughts from it, even so, in an effort to stay optimistic. ]

he could make a really nice rotating stool
i don't weigh that much so i wouldn't even break him
... probably

[ protect bb-8 from this sass at his expense 2k17. ]

[xwings]

so i've been told

[ it won't stop him when it comes to something that matters, but he's pretty sure his compliment's been heard, even if she's still arguing the point, so this one? not so important. ]

yeah, that's my impression

[ no point getting into that over text now. probably better if they don't, in fact. ]

you'd have to ask him really, really nicely if he'll let you, or he might electrocute you for the attempt

[obstinance]

[ it's not the most opportune time for that particular conversation, no matter what she has to say on the matter. he doesn't need more on his plate, and it's with that at the forefront of her mind that clary drops the subject entirely. ]

i always ask very, very nicely

[ what a funny joke, clary. ]

i think can handle a little a little electricity, anyway

[xwings]

do you now? i think i'll need to see proof of that

[ he liked that she was demanding more than asking when they were together, though. ]

the question is how much

[obstinance]

i'm hurt you don't trust that it's true without proof

[ as hurt as his ego had been by her, which is to say not at all hurt. ]

i'd bet on 'a lot'
i'm more durable than i look
you know what they say about appearances

[ they're deceiving, don't judge a book by its cover, etc. ]

[xwings]

of course you are

are you trying to tell me something?