The Salle [afternoon]

[momslilassassin]

Ben had noticed an influx of children as he made his usual rounds of exercise-coffee-ice cream shop this morning, but so far none had approached him.

Which was totally not why he was hiding in the salle this afternoon.

He figured if they were his hypothetical children, or any of his relatives, a little lightsaber practice wouldn't keep them away.

And he needed the practice.

So he put a sign on the door warning of live fire and began practicing with a series of remotes.

[OOC: Because I was tired of room posts. Open, especially for Skywalker spawn!]

Comments

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

Cassa closed her eyes and reached out in the Force, frowning when she encountered the unreadable spot that for the moment was Uncle Ben.

"She's on her way," she concluded, opening her eyes again. "She said to wait for her but I wanted to see you."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm always happy to see you, too," Ben said, sending her a wave of reassurance and affection through the Force.

It was stupid to be jealous over a fake universe. The Tahiri there got her happy ending, and it was petty to feel bad about it.

And he'd keep telling himself that until it sunk in.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"I think she needs some time," Cassa confided, reaching up to hug him. "She's not awfully happy right now."

[momslilassassin]

Ben hugged her tightly. "I'll bet. How sad is she on a scale of 'out of ice cream' to 'anniversary of Alderaan for Aunt Leia'?"

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"Close to the anniversary thing," Cassa decided, her forehead creased up into a frown. "Maybe I shouldn't have told her, but she asked. Was that wrong, Uncle Ben?"

[momslilassassin]

"It's never wrong to tell your parents the truth," Ben said quietly. "Especially ones who can tell when you're lying anyway."

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"I know." Cassa bit her lip. "But it was so hard on her the first time. I remember. And she was older when it happened, and . . ."

She snuggled a little closer. "I don't like upsetting her."

[momslilassassin]

"But there's you," Ben said, rubbing the little girl's back, "and there's not a Tahiri anywhere in the multiverse who wouldn't be glad to know that."

Even if there wasn't an Anakin any more.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"She said she was glad I'm here," Cassa said thoughtfully, and looked up to give Ben a bright smile. "I'm glad you're here too, Uncle Ben."

[momslilassassin]

"So we're buddies back home?" he asked, smiling.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Cassa said, as if it should be obvious. "You're my favorite uncle."

Even if she was a little short on them.

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "How many other uncles do you have?"

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"Real ones, or just sort of uncles?" It was sort of like a riddle! Which was sort of like a puzzle! She liked puzzles. She got that from her dad.

[momslilassassin]

"Real ones," Ben decided.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"Just two," Cassa told him, frowning. "But I don't see Uncle Jacen often."

She . . . didn't sound like she minded.

[momslilassassin]

"You don't sound that upset about it," he observed.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

Cassa shook her head, looking slightly guilty. "He's been a little weird since Dad died. I don't think I like it."

[momslilassassin]

"Have you talked to your Mom about it? Or your me?" Ben asked quietly.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"No," Cassa said slowly. "Do you think I should?"

[momslilassassin]

It could change everything. But looking down into the eyes that Ben only recognized from a holos and a horrifying biometric copy in Centerpoint Station and realized things were already changed.

"I think you should trust your feelings," he said firmly. "And if Uncle Jacen doesn't feel right, you should tell someone. It could be really important."

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"I think Master Luke should know," Cassa decided. "What if I tell them, and they don't believe me?"

[momslilassassin]

"Do you have a habit of lying to my dad?" Ben asked, crouching down to look into her eyes.

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

Cassa shook her head firmly. "Uh uh. Not ever." She'd tried, once, and felt so bad about it afterward she'd run right back to tell him the truth. The look on his face meant she'd never wanted to do it again.

[momslilassassin]

"Then he'll believe you," Ben said. "And if he doesn't, talk to my mom."

Assuming she was alive...

[iceblueeyesomg.livejournal.com]

"I like your mom," Cassa said, brightening; that ought to about answer that question. "I'll do that. Thanks, Uncle Ben, you're the best."