The gym [early evening]

[momslilassassin]

After a few good hours of wallowing, Ben made his way down to the gym to work off his tension in a more productive way.

The punching bag might not be all that appreciative of it, given the way the chain was squealing each time Ben hit it.

[OOC: Open like a gym!]

Comments

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Not your version, at least," Gavin said, recalling Luke's Homecoming visit, at least. "Jacen's Jaina's brother, right?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "The other Dad gave me a stuffed frog. It was strange."

He had it on his bed. Shh.

"And Jacen's Jaina's brother, yes. And my teacher. And, apparently, the co-Chief of State of the government."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"He's still young," Gavin said like he was old or something. "And wow. That's...a pretty high rank because he can't be that old, can he? Not older than Luke, at least."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled. "Jacen's thirty or so. Dad's twice that."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Tell him I called him grandpa the next time you talk to him," Gavin said. "Do you not want Jacen to come?"

[momslilassassin]

"Oh, I do," Ben said quickly, the big liar. "I just kind of wanted to see my mom, too."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"What about a trip to them?" Gavin asked. "Not possible?"

[momslilassassin]

"Only if they send a ship," Ben said. "And they've got to be busy."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"They might be," Gavin said and nodded. "Doesn't mean they've forgotten you."

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah," Ben said shortly, smacking the hell out of the bag again. "Sure they haven't."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"C'mon, Ben," Gavin said and frowned. "You don't really believe that they have, do you?"

[momslilassassin]

"I think this school makes it a lot easier for them to go back to doing what they do best," Ben said, "which doesn't generally involve me."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I'm not from your time, granted," Gavin said, "but what's going on back there is pretty important and it's pretty hectic. Are you going to blame them for being busy? Do you think you'd be doing something different if you were them?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben was quiet for a moment. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "I just wanted to see them. I didn't get to when I was home a few weeks ago."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I haven't seen my parents in over a year," he said quietly. "I know the feeling. That doesn't mean anything except schedules are cramped."

[momslilassassin]

His shoulders hunched up. "And I don't know if Jaina's going to be happy to see Jacen," he admitted. "She didn't seem that thrilled with what he's taught me."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Well, Jaina's rarely happy," he said and laughed. "So, that wouldn't be a change, you know."

[momslilassassin]

"But she's normally not unhappy at me," Ben said. "Well, except when I skewered Zekk. And tried to arrest her dad. Then she wasn't thrilled."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Sibling rivalry?" Gavin tried. "It happens. And she's here and he's there and maybe she's jealous?"

[momslilassassin]

"Maybe," Ben said. He didn't sound convinced.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Have you told Jaina about your parents?" Gavin wondered. "She might have some pull, get them to at least contact you."

[momslilassassin]

"Which Jaina?" Ben asked. "The one at home is just as busy."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"This Jaina," he clarified. "She's not that busy."

[momslilassassin]

"Tell them to remember they have a son in fifteen years?" Ben asked bitterly.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Well..." He winced. "Bet she could get a ship, though."