Room 529, Thursday Midday

[weetuskenraider]

As decidedly less than thrilled Tahiri had been about the fact that someone had been able to pick up on her little mental friend so easily, Karla had offered her help. Riina had been pretty quiet lately -- but Tahiri didn't feel like counting on that to last. Although she wasn't holding out too much hope yet that there was actually a chance the girl she'd only just met a few days ago could do something about this problem, it definitely couldn't hurt to find out.

So with Hurley out for a few hours she'd handwavily given Karla a call, then took a seat on her bed to try and meditate for a little while. Talking about that particular experience was always unnerving, and just thinking about it now already had her on edge. Ergo, meditating. Or trying, anyway.

[OOC: Post is for peoples what know who they are, up whoa early for great SP justice and roomie modded with permission. Note to self, in case you forget because you are a flake, details of convo with Karla NFB like whoa, please. Notice for triggeriness: the thread with Karla will concern not-exactly-vague memories of torture, so consider that a heads-up.]

Comments

[weetuskenraider]

"Promise I won't do that to you," Tahiri offered softly in a statement that might be a touch ironic, leaning into him.

[momslilassassin]

He carefully hid a bitter little smile. "I appreciate it," he said softly. "Mind if I stay here for a little bit? I figured you might not want to be alone."

And neither did he, but details.

[weetuskenraider]

"Like I'd kick you out? Of course you can stay," Tahiri assured him. Yes, she had a feeling he could stand company himself. "Or do I need to remind you I like having you around?"

[momslilassassin]

He shrugged a shoulder. "Sometimes having to relive things makes you not really want people around," he replied.

[weetuskenraider]

"Yeah, but . . ." It was still a little weird reconciling aspects of what she'd just relived with the fact that what she said next, she really meant. "Most people aren't you."

[momslilassassin]

He smiled and clung a little tighter.

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri looked up and gave him a tiny smile, but didn't let go. "I should keep ice cream around for days like this."

[momslilassassin]

"I couldn't eat anyway," Ben said, "but it's a good thought."

[weetuskenraider]

They would probably need it a lot, the way their lives went. "I'll have to remember that for next time. Of course, we don't have to save it for the bad stuff either."

[momslilassassin]

There's been a break for good stuff? he thought dryly. "We could watch stupid holos," he suggested. "Got anything with Face in it?"

[weetuskenraider]

Well, no. But she could be optimistic. Or try.

Tahiri stuck her tongue out at him. "Would you believe he sent me an autographed box set?"

[momslilassassin]

"I really would," Ben laughed.

[weetuskenraider]

"I got you to laugh," Tahiri noted with a vague sense of accomplishment; she couldn't help feeling like this was a Good Thing. "Sure, why not?"

It wasn't like she'd ever actually watched any of them yet.

[momslilassassin]

Ben collapsed onto her bed and immediately stole her pillow. "Maybe we'll finally understand the appeal of the Empire."

[weetuskenraider]

"Doubting that, but -- hey!" It was, as always, a halfhearted objection, and Tahiri picked a holo at random and set it to play, then sat down near him, on the edge of the bed. "I'm getting an extra pillow just so you can steal that one instead."

That would probably take all the fun out of it, but hey.

[momslilassassin]

Ben was pushing memories of the last time they'd been sharing a bed firmly out of his mind--no need to add even more awkwardness to the mix--and reached for her hand as he scooted over to make room for her to stretch out.

[weetuskenraider]

Tahiri was at capacity for uncomfortable memories today anyway, and needing the comfort; she stretched out on the bed next to him, close enough for contact but not too close, and linked their fingers together. "I think we owe it to Face to mock this as much as possible."

[momslilassassin]

"Oh, is it the Black Bantha?" Ben asked. "That one's supposed to be really, really terrible."

[weetuskenraider]

"Jungle Flutes," Tahiri answered. "I'd have said that no matter which one we were watching, though."

[momslilassassin]

He grinned. "You mean that Imperial propaganda isn't known for its tight plotting and great dialogue? There goes that illusion."

[weetuskenraider]

"Sorry to disappoint," Tahiri replied, turning her head to give him a mischievous look.

[momslilassassin]

He smiled back, some of the tension easing from his eyes, and squeezed her hand. "I'll get over it some day," he assured her.

[weetuskenraider]

If they had a credit for every time that phrase was applicable to either of their lives . . .

"You better," she said softly. "Oh, wow, that doesn't even look real at all."

[momslilassassin]

Ben scooted a little closer. "Yeah, I don't think the Emperor was physically capable of smiling."

[weetuskenraider]

"Propaganda." Tahiri shifted so her head was just resting against his shoulder. "Really, really awful propaganda. How did this even work?"