fandomhighdorms | Fourth floor common room: Monday Evening

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Fourth floor common room: Monday Evening

Karal was very deliberately spending the evening doing something just for him, something that involved no work or stress whatsoever.

He was curled in a chair in the common room, reading The ~~Hobbit~~ Halfling, and really getting into it. There were occasional exclamations of surprise or excitement, but they were in Karsite, so they probably sounded a little strange.

The television was on, providing some background noise, but he wasn't watching it. Didn't mean other people couldn't, however.

[ooc: open, of course! Shhh, it always said Monday]

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Luke's jaw dropped before he remembered that was terribly rude. "You said that to Jaina? My Jaina?"

Karal went bright red and hid his face in his hands. "Yes," he said in a very small voice. "It was Fandom Weirdness! I don't think those things!"

Luke made a soothing gesture with his hands. "If Jaina forgives you, I'm certainly not going to hold a grudge on her behalf."

He paused. "Um. I'd recommend never telling my father about that, though, just in case."

Karal went pale. "I think that is very good advice." He swallowed, then shook his head. "But if Jaina could forgive me that, which is near unforgivable, then hopefully Dawn and Rikku will forgive you. You can't possibly have done something worse than that."

"I offered them money for..." Luke shook his head. "I'm not that kind of person!"

"And they know that," he said firmly. "I know that. Anyone who meets you would know that. It was most definitely not your fault! And if the worst happens, you can hide in my room until they calm down."

Luke grinned. "I'm sure Aravis will be thrilled," he said.

Karal grinned back. "If we can get her on your side, she would be a formidable defender."

"And if she decides that I was wrong, I'd have to move out to the preserve."

Karal winced. "And likely I would be joining you. Perhaps it's better not to risk it."

"That's a better idea," Luke agreed, then chewed on his lip before asking, "how's she doing?"

Karal folded his hands, considering the question. "She is doing better," he finally said. "It will take time before she is entirely herself again, but I have faith she will get there."

"Good," Luke said, locking suddenly perceptive blue eyes on Karal. "And you?"

Karal looked away, uncomfortable under his too-perceptive gaze. "Me? I am all right," he said, half-expecting to not be believed.

Luke moved a little closer and dropped his voice. "Want to try that again?" he asked quietly. "Jaina's not the only Jedi in the family."

That got him a small smile and Karal glanced back at him. "It's," he sighed, but in his mind Jedi equated with Heralds, and you couldn't lie to a Herald, "things do not go well for me back in my world, and I made myself ill, but there is nothing that can be done. I will be all right, though."

Luke nudged his shoulder against Karal's, looking worried. "There's always something to be done," he said in the same quiet voice. "It's just not always something we want to do."

"I know," he said, managing another small smile. "I know, but in this instance the thing to be done is wait while others try and fix the problems which, I did not cause them, but they revolve around me, and my presence in Valdemar would simply make things worse." He scowled at his hands. "I do not like simply standing by while others act, but I have been told to remain here until I am summoned."

Luke gave Karal a rueful smile. "I do know what that feels like. I spent much of last year as bait, though I didn't realize it. I'd been sent here to avoid that fate. It...didn't exactly work according to plan."

Karal's smile was just as rueful, but it was a real one. "It is not pleasant at all. Like you, I once had to play bait, which was even less pleasant." He shivered at the memory. "May I ask what happened that the plan did not work?"

"Darth Vader followed me here," Luke said softly. "He had orders from his master to convert me to the dark side...or kill me." He bit his lip. "There weren't supposed to be any Jedi left. My father...wasn't supposed to have children. I was a threat to the ruling government, though I didn't realize it At the time, I just thought they were upset I'd blown up their war machine."

He sat quietly, listening, and when Luke finished, said softly, "But you survived. And Jaina and her brother are Jedi, so they survived as well. Which means that you must have evaded Darth Vader." The name felt heavier than it should have. "Or destroyed him," he added hesitantly.

Luke gave him a small smile. "I convinced Vader to turn on his master instead," he said.

Just like that. Luke didn't realize when he did the impossible.

"There's always some good in people if you look for it hard enough."

"There always is," he agreed, eyes wide in amazement. "But rarely can it be found once it has been buried so deep. Glory, Luke, that is astonishing!" Karal leaned forward, studying him. "As are you," he said seriously. "To have the courage to try. To lead someone, an enemy, back from evil and into redemption..."

Luke blushed under Karal's gaze. "I just did what felt right. Leia thought it was kind of an insane idea at the time."

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